LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Lexington nonprofit is making shopping an experience for children and families in foster care.
What You Need To Know
Studio Thrifty for Kids helps support foster families in the Lexington area
- Cassie Sloane is the founder of the Foster Care Council and the Studio Thrifty for Kids boutique
The free clothing store is open by appointment
The organization has served nearly 30,000 kids in foster care around central Kentucky since its start in 2012
Studio Thrifty for Kids helps support foster families in the Lexington area
The free clothing store is open by appointment
The organization has served nearly 30,000 kids in foster care around central Kentucky since its start in 2012
Cassie Sloane is the founder of the Foster Care Council and its Studio Thrifty for Kids boutique. It’s a place filled with new and gently used clothes where foster families can shop for free.
“We realized that children were coming in to care with very few items. The stipend that the foster parents get sometimes takes a while for them to get it. Sometimes it’s not enough to cover enough items for the child to get,” said Sloane.
Studio Thrifty For the Kids helps bring a little of normalcy to children in foster care, creating a safe space to shop comfortably.
“You can just tell by their stance, their demeanor. They’re sad and they don’t want to come to a thrift store,” Sloane explained. “They’re thinking of, you know, it’s going to the clothes that aren’t going to be nice or, you know. But they walk into here and the colors and the disco ball and their eyes just light up.”
It’s why shoes, coats, and dozens of tops and bottoms glimmer under the disco ball at the store.
Lindy Hester is the business development director of the Foster Care Council and works in outreach and what she calls “friendraising.”
“You know, they’re meant to try to help them feel normal. They’re meant to try to give them experiences and opportunities that children who live with their biological family would be able to enjoy,” Hester said.
Sloane started the Foster Care Council in 2012, built on principles promoting education.
“We provide in-home one-on-one tutoring to a child that is struggling in the classroom until they test on grade level,” Sloane said.
They also provide other resources to help develop a well-rounded individual.
“We also pay for enrichment activities that allow the child to pursue talents and passions that would otherwise go unrecognized,” Sloane added.
Sloane added while they make a difference inside of the story, their efforts begin from birth to adulthood for foster children.
All year long, the pair maintain programs and host events like the upcoming Lasso-A-Dream.
Since it’s start in 2012, the Foster Care Council has served almost 30,000 foster children in central Kentucky.