HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) –Joy Closet held its fourth Annual Dinner on Aug. 26 at New Work Fellowship, sharing the successes of this past year and announcing new plans to help the local foster and adoptive community. Executive Director Heather Gray was excited to introduce two new programs and update guests on the progress of ongoing projects.

Assistant Director Julia Roberts announced that a project proposed at the last meeting had now reached completion. Hope House will open with a ribbon cutting event on Sept. 5.

“The Hope House is a place where children can rest, shower, eat and be cared for in the crucial first hours of entering into care,” said Gray. Volunteers have worked hard to build the house on donated land, and with lumber and supplies that were donated to make the home happen.

The inspiration for Hope House came from the movie “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” and the minister behind the actual events, Bishop W. C. Martin, was the guest speaker at the dinner. He related stories from his own experience of fostering and adopting children, just four of the seventy-seven children the small Texas town fostered.

“It’s not where you are, it’s what you do where you are,” Bishop Martin told the crowd. “Everybody can be a source of help, like what I see you’re doing here, making a dent in the life of a child.”

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New programming for Joy Closet

Along with Hope House, another new program for foster children has been implemented. The Eagle Fly program was started to help children as they aged out of the foster care system. It provides mentors to young adults to adjust to living on their own.

The program has now been expanded to the Eagle Nest program, which helps provide stable housing options as well as the continuing mentorships. Takahla Taylor, who answered questions with her own mentor Mary Brame, summed up her feelings about the extra support for life’s new challenges, saying, “It’s been amazing.”

It was also announced that a secondary Joy Closet location has been established in Earlington, Hopkins County. Between the dual locations, the service has helped over one thousand children over the past year. From the donations of funds from the Joyful Consignment location, from donors via monetary or new item donations, children who have never had a birthday party, new clothes, or a day of shopping just for themselves now have those opportunities.

Fundraising and ongoing donations

Heather Gray announced plans for future fundraising events, including a showing of the movie about Possum Trot, which will be Nov. 1. Because of the success of the Lip Synch battle fundraiser last January, another has been scheduled for Jan. 24 at the Alhambra Theater, with more groups volunteering, including a mom versus dad group.

A call for donations was given, with a list of items that are needed to provide the foster children with basic items. Donations are always welcome, new or gently used clothes, new toys, school supplies or money. They are also open to anyone wanting to volunteer their time to any of their programs.

Anyone looking to donate or attend any of the various events, can visit joycloset.org. To become a volunteer, email emily@joycloset.org.

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