We are passionate about restoring dignity to youth in crisis.
Foster Care Closet of Nebraska is a donation-driven nonprofit dedicated to restoring dignity, rebuilding self-esteem and providing a sense of stability for youth navigating Nebraska’s foster care system. From our permanent Lincoln location to our statewide Mobile Closet pop-up shops, we meet youth exactly where they are—providing respect-filled shopping experiences with brand-new clothing and essentials. While we serve children statewide, the local need remains profound, with over 600 youth in foster care in the Lincoln area alone at any given time.
Through intentional mobile seasonal events, we partner with communities to provide youth the joy of choice, a sense of normalcy, and a reminder that their voice is valued.
Every item is new. Every experience is intentional. Every visit reinforces that we will support them throughout their journey.
Additional Support:
Foster Care Closet is proud to support Nebraska’s foster families beyond the new clothing we provide. By leveraging our extensive network of supporters, we work to connect families with a variety of other resources to handle their specific needs. Because our warehouse space is limited, we do not accept or store donations of used gear such as car seats, pack-n-plays, or cribs. Instead, we operate a "Need-Based" network. If a foster family has a specific, immediate need for an essential item we don't stock, we are able to reach out to our community to find a possible donor.
History
Foster Care Closet was founded in March 2006 by Patrick and Leigh Esau. Having welcomed more than a dozen youth into their own home, they realized a heartbreaking reality: almost all children arrived at their doorstep with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.
Driven by her personal experience in foster care and as a foster parent, Founding Director Leigh Esau began collecting used clothing donations in her garage to support these youth in crisis at no cost to their foster families.
Restoring Dignity Through Expanded Services
Over time, Leigh realized that true dignity required something more: brand-new clothing. To build self-esteem during a deeply uprooting time, youth needed the opportunity to choose new clothes that fit their own style.
Shifting the organization's model, Leigh began raising funds to purchase new clothing wholesale and forged a vital partnership with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This collaboration allowed the organization to serve youth in the critical hours immediately following removal.
To further support children during this traumatic transition, the organization established The Haven—a welcoming service designed to care for youth on the exact day they were moved into foster care while the caseworker found a more permanent solution.
Growth and Evolution
In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, Foster Care Closet successfully doubled both the number of youth served and funds raised. To reach more children across Nebraska, physical storefronts were established over the years in Scottsbluff, North Platte, Kearney, and Beatrice, and the Mobile Closet program was launched to bring a pop-up shopping experience directly into more remote communities.
Our Focused Model Today
To maximize resources and meet youth precisely where they are, Foster Care Closet has transitioned to a streamlined, mobile-focused outreach model:
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The Haven was closed on September 30, 2025, and eliminated as a service due to a loss of funding
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Regional storefronts have wrapped up operations, including Scottsbluff (closed May 2022), North Platte (closed November 2022), Kearney (closed November 2022), and Beatrice (closed December 2025).
Today, Lincoln serves as our sole physical headquarters and centralized warehouse. However, our statewide mission is stronger than ever. We continue to passionately serve youth and foster families in Sidney, Scottsbluff/Gering, North Platte, Kearney, Grand Island, Beatrice, Fremont and surrounding communities through our seasonal Mobile Closet pop-up events—ensuring every resource goes directly toward restoring dignity to youth across Nebraska.
Leadership
| Leigh Esau Founding Director |
Tim Balzer Executive Director |
| Jennifer Olson Director of Operations |
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