Posted       Posted, June 6, 2014 11:35 am | Updated June 7, 2014 03:37 pm

By Sandy Strickland

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Tammy McGuire's 'Closet' earned her the EVE Award for volunteer service.

The Times-Union--03/04/11--Tammy McGuire, president of Foster Closet, where foster children can get clothing and home items, in her store Friday, March 4, 2011 in Atlantic Beach, Florida. She is one of the 10 Who Make a Difference winners.

EVE Award honoree Tammy McGuire runs Foster Closet, which provides donated furniture, clothing and other items to foster families. The latest version opened last year at 8307 Beach Blvd. By any standard, Tammy McGuire’s “closet” is awesome. But it didn’t start out that way. At first, it was your pedestrian closet tucked under the stairs of her home. As it began to overflow, it moved many times — to her garage, her husband’s office, a storage unit, a foster care agency’s building, a storefront. Six moves in about a year.

You should see it now. At 4,200 square feet, it’s the size of a spacious house. But the latest version, which opened last year at 8307 Beach Blvd., doesn’t house McGuire’s belongings. It’s Foster Closet, a place where children in Northeast Florida’s foster care system can obtain donated clothing, toys, furniture, household goods, electronics and other items. In 2009, it became a nonprofit.

McGuire said her “purpose on earth” is to help foster children. And to date, the closet has served about 4,000 kids, who often must leave home without their personal belongings.

“It’s not about stuff,” she said. “Our volunteers are trained to share love. It’s about a treasure that they may have to leave in the middle of the night, and we bring them back to that sweet moment, that wonderful moment, when we replace that treasure.”

For her work with Foster Closet and its programs, McGuire received the 2014 EVE Award for volunteer service. One program is The Pathway, which also provides items such as furniture, kitchen supplies, books, games and TVs to those aging out of foster care at 18. McGuire staged a fundraiser so Foster Closet could buy a moving truck to deliver the items to their new homes.

Soon, she will launch a program to provide volunteer mentors to help foster teens achieve their goals.

“She’s basically dedicated her life to helping underprivileged children, foster parents and foster volunteers,” said Eddie Encarnacion, director for licensing and placement for Family Support Services of North Florida. “No one else has been that driven to do something about helping foster kids the way she has. Everyone in the state has tried to do some kind of clothes closet, but she’s taken it to a whole other level.”

VALUE OF SERVICE

It’s a passion that was instilled at an early age. Her grandparents, Eugene and Beulah Johnson, co-founded University Baptist Church in 1950 and ran the Parental Home for Girls for 21 years. McGuire, a Jacksonville native who graduated from Nease High School in 1984, attended Bayard Baptist Church, whose pastor taught its young parishioners the value of service. At age 20, McGuire mentored a 13-year-old girl at the Children’s Home Society. The girl was adopted when she was 16.

“I knew from then on that once I got married, I wanted to adopt one day,” she said.

McGuire married husband John in 1993 and became a licensed cosmetologist at 22, though she left the field 17 years ago. They have a son, Benjamin, 20, and a daughter, Reagan, who will be 17 in July. The longing to adopt remained, and the couple went to the Children’s Home Society.

“When we left, we thought about how many couples could not have babies and were trying to adopt out of the system,” she said. “We prayed about it for two years. I did some research, and we came to the conclusion that foster care was our way of service.”

They’ve taken in 53 kids since 2005 and still keep in touch with some, as well as their parents. Their first foster children were a newborn and his 13-month-old brother. With less than 48 hours’ notice, they scrambled to acquire clothes, a crib, high chair and stroller. When they learned that no equipment or supplies were available for foster families, McGuire was inspired to create her closet.

She solicited donations from friends, family and neighbors. She established a Facebook page. She sought support from grants and foundations. She talked about it everywhere she went, even the grocery store. As a result, McGuire developed a network of volunteers, social workers, foster parents and community supporters.

“Her connections in the community are vast,” Encarnacion said.

Family Support Services counts on McGuire to speak at major events to recruit new foster parents in a five-county area and promote child welfare legislation. The nonprofit asked her to be an advocate for a “normalcy” law that was recently passed by the Florida Legislature granting caregivers the authority to decide whether foster children can go on field trips, sleepovers and participate in other activities without a court order or state approval.

McGuire plans major fundraisers and hosts an annual foster children’s Christmas party. Her passion is evident, say those who know her.

“My son went to hear me many speak one time and said, ‘Mother, you get so excited about it.’ ”

In recent years, the majority of McGuire’s work has been providing respite care from one to 12 days to give foster parents a break. She is vice president of the Greater Jacksonville Foster Adoptive Parent Association and was a recipient of the Jim Strayer Leadership Award from the Florida Coalition for Children in 2010. The Times-Union honored her in 2011 with a “10 Who Make a Difference Award.”

At Foster Closet, she has about 20 volunteers who help run the store and is looking for more. For her part, she spends about 60 hours a week on foster family issues. In February, she hired two independent living teens who were formerly in the system. They are developing a work ethic, a resume and a sense of stability, McGuire said. Their salaries are funded by a thrift store that the closet opened a few months ago in the same facility. The thrift store is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

“Her love for children shines through in everything she does,” said Margaret Walker, one of the closet’s volunteers. “She’s just fabulous. The children are glowing and the foster parents are glowing when they come in. I don’t know what they would do if they didn’t have the Foster Closet … It’s just magnificent to watch. She greets each one of them. They feel so special and want to give her a hug.”

The closet isn’t based on financial need. It’s open by appointment to families in Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Nassau and Baker counties. Each child is given seven outfits and miscellaneous clothing such as bathing suits or jackets. Foster Support Services pays the building’s rent and electricity. She raises about $12,000 a year to purchase bicycles, scooters and other needed items. Those who want to donate or volunteer can go to the website at fostercloset.org.

McGuire spends her spare time with her husband and children, going to the beach, the movies, to dinner and playing with the dogs.

A momma's trauma prayer

February, eight years ago, we became foster parents to what we now know as our last two foster children out of the 61 we fostered over the 13 years. Our now daughter was six at the time, and her brother, our now son, was only 5. These two souls began their lives with many mental health care trauma (predisposing factors). And our then five-year son, at the time, found out he was born with physical challenges. Just seven days after coming into our home, he and I discovered at his first-ever Muscular Dystrophy Association Clinic (MDA) that he had DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy). This was devastating news. He was only five, knowing his prior family tried to kill him and his body. This is where my mama's trauma began.

These two small souls became our forever children just 14 months after arriving in our home. However, they both came into this world with a predisposition to mental factors from their biological family. And our son, with a devastating health condition from his biological mother. Let's not forget the physical and psychological neglect, as well as the sexual abuse which was inflicted on these innocent children. In the first years of their little lives, before our home, their birth families and the adopted family. This adopted "family," who only had them less than a year, came back into foster care and our home. This in and of itself would give way to even more mental health problems, issues, conditions, and concerns. Concerns that we, known as their third set of parents, would not be adequately supported. Honestly, who would be? Even with having sixty-one children in our home and learning through the vast amount of training given to us, all we could about mental health along the way, no one could be prepared for such a dire situation our two children were and would be faced with because of their past. 

Our daughter was physically and mentally neglected and abused. Our son was as well; however, he was also tortured by his prior adopted family for five months before entering back into foster care. Although these eight years have brought permanency and closure to the previous mentally and physically unstable environment, it never takes away or closes the past of the emotional, physical, and mental impact on a child's permanent state of mind. 

If anyone says adoption is the beginning of a fairy-tale dream, they are sadly mistaken. When a family takes on children with the "sins of their forefathers," families begin the unexpected journey of navigating how best to heal the child and keep the family unit together. It forms a new life of unstable mental health atmosphere and the concerns of each child's state of mind at any given time of day or life's triggers. It begins a life of PTSD for the family at large and how that will forever change the family unit.

Sometimes it feels as though the horrific trauma given by the prior homes is now our own. I began my life with my deep-rooted trauma, which is now ten-fold by our children's trauma. Their trauma and triggers are now spilling over into our daily lives, which creates my triggers. Even the strongest of parents, couples, and families are forever altered by the constant change of emotional state shared by the family unit and home environment. 

Unless you have lived through this tumultuous atmosphere, it is easier to explain adequately. Being an advocate for over 18 years, we have been sharing the needs of children in foster care, but now our family has forever changed. We are now living a new existence of how the rest of our lives will life out. It is hard to be in a constant home full of peace. This is and will forever be an understatement. We take those small moments of peace as a time to be grateful for those limited occasions. 

Finding a new way to live out the following years of our lives will be challenging. It is hard to live with the knowledge that the findings of our children will forever make the most robust parent feel defeated. How does one see the past trauma of a teen, but on the other hand, see the poor, sometimes criminal decision made by the same teen? I pray that all of you who read this will never experience such pain and loss. However, I stand with you in support, love, and prayer for those mighty few who have lived out this parenting life. 

I pray over my husband, marriage, children, and grandchildren. I pray that all see our adoption decision of the children as a gift from our God Almighty. I pray over their past, their DNA, their trauma, their decision, and their future. I pray their lives are seen as open vessels for God to change forever. To use their lives to make an impactful light for others to see. I pray they see God's grace over their lives by setting an example and showing my grace. I am confident that I can have the strength to make a difference and have the wisdom to do so as I reach my life's end. 

In His Service,
Tammy
president and founder of +Foster Closet
"Mom to the Broken - Hope to the Fatherless"

When God Shows You How - Even on the "Ground Hog Days"

Don't you love it when God shows you just how He works? For me, it's in everyday life. Some days feel exactly like the day before! You know, "GroundHogs Days".  But walking through life with God, makes each day a new step. Let me share. I wake up every day the same way, making sure our "heart kids' (adopted) get ready each day, just like the day before. Most days are struggles, although, my husband would say, Every Day. Too many times, they must be repeatedly reminded, what is expected of them. And so, the struggle of the day begins. We have had two from our belly, they knew to wake up, eat, get dressed, brush hair and teeth, and get out of the door for school. Although we know, we still say, “will our heart children they ever learn”?

 

This is when God Shows Up! When I'm looking, or even when I’m not noticing, He is there. Do we really look for Him in the mundane everyday moments or what about Groundhog Days?  I challenge you to start today! I promise, if you take the moment to look for Him to Show Up, He will.

 

Parents realize these moments. You know that moment when your son has forgotten to brush his teeth 3 times in 30 min?  What about when you remind your daughter to put on her shoes and you find her walking out the door with shoes in her hands, saying “I forgot to put my shoes on”.  It’s so difficult to notice God moments on days like these.

 

When you have one of those Groundhog Days, stop and think of ALL He has given you. To everyone - He has given you Life. To parents - thank Him for giving you your children, no matter how they came into your home. Look for all their past and present unexpected, good behaviors. Thank Him for your kids being yours and you being theirs. This is the time to stop and be grateful for His provision.  It is when we stop to notice that "GroundHog Days" can be His way of showing up!

 

To know what He looks like, you first must "know" Him. Truly seek Him. I have walked far enough away to know what it looks like not to see Him, and I know that it is better with Him. I will take Him showing up through the Groundhog Days, over walking my life alone. I get that life is hard, but knowing how to seek Him in the everyday, makes life worth living. Saying all that, I still need reminding to look because life with trauma children can be lonely.

 

Although, He is there, it is hard to see through the chaos, the mundane or the dozens of breakdowns in just one day, but He is still there in every moment. How do we Look through those moments? Walk away from the distraction. Take a minute to breathe, pray and seek Him. Then head back to your child's moment and He will Show Up. Then take the time teach your children to seek him through your actions.

 

I know, you're saying, it might take me doing this multiple times throughout the day, but this will truly help you see Him. Our family is personally going through so much right now with our kiddos, but God is bigger than my child's past, bigger than my child's trauma and more than deserving of my attention. All this, so I must show my children just what He looks like through the GroundHog Days. I am not perfect, just a mom wanting to grow, show and seek Him, so my children can watch, learn, and live in His presence in their GroundHog Days. And guess what, He will Show up for them too!!

Saying Goodbye though His Purpose

I can’t believe its been twelve years since the memory of our fourth long-term placement who left our home. Our lives are forever changed by the souls of those who left prior to this sibling group, and a ton who came after. Thank you Jesus for allowing our family to be endlessly touched by their souls. 

After all this time, I still miss each and every child that entered our home. I pray they each draw close to God’s will in their lives as they become young men and women. 

Please pray for each foster family caring for the children in their home who have had children leave.  Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. Or the next. Most foster caregivers have to say goodbye more than once.

Fostering was a calling, fostering is Our calling, but God never said doing His Will, brings JOY all the time. 

But He did say He is here for those who follow. I have seen, felt and know that God watches over each child who have left our home and each child who our family might not see until heaven. I have peace in knowing our family’s commitment to our purpose in fostering for 13 years. Then, adoption brought us JOY through obedience and the commitment to live vicariously though fostering! Yes, even in the saddest of times, we can find joy.

In the end, when we stand before God, we can say we Followed, Served, and Advocated though our Commitment of fostering and now.

In His Service,
Tammy
president and founder of +Foster Closet
"Mom to the Broken - Hope to the Fatherless"

Making Thanksgiving Thankful

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful memory for me. Raised by a mom and dad who taught my brother and I to love the Lord and honor family. I had a loving, yet strict grandparents, who welcomed all 19 of us into their home once a month after Sunday church service to celebrate of all the month's birthdays. I always knew that home meant family and family meant love. My father's parents cultivated a family of loyalty and Godliness; characteristics most families do not experience in today's culture.

Eugene and Beulah Johnson's Home

Thanksgiving 1980

There was an amazing sense of gratitude as my dad drove our car into the driveway leading to my grandparents colonial style home. The emotion of Thanksgiving filled my heart knowing as soon as I entered I would see all my family. My grandparent's colonial style house had a magnificent white pillared porch, but we always entered through the back porch with a glass windowed door,  that would lead to Mammaw's kitchen. The aromas of Thanksgiving were floating throughout the porch air, which always caused my stomach to growl with delight. As I entered each room of the house to find my cousins, the house smells of turkey, cornbread, collared greens, green beans and so much more, permeated throughout each room I entered. I would always stop to gaze at the enormous stretched dinning room table that covered with every sublime southern comfort foods you could imagine. Each food was so lovingly prepared by my Mammaw, aunts and my own momma. On my way to play, I would pass the three side tables were I would see the sweetest southern ice tea, cakes, pies and always Mammaw’s homemade pecan pie for dessert, that I still make today.

Cousins (not all pictured)

I can still hear the the ladies laughter coming from the kitchen. The men would always watch a football game with my Grandaddy in the sun porch room.  I can’t forget that all of us cousins would attempt to play on Mammaw’s antique pump organ, running up and down the colonial staircase. Which seemed like hours as all the kids waited. We mostly spent those “hours” putting together a band or a skit to preform later all the adults “entertainment”, which usually was a comedy show. All priceless moments, that are now our treasured thoughts and memories past. It felt like an eternity as we waited for the final call that Thanksgiving dinner was ready but worth all the wait.

When each casserole dish was finally placed on tables, and we were set into our circle, holding hands around the table, Grandaddy would call on one of his sons or son-in-laws to pray God’s blessing over our bountiful meal. Each prayer throughout the years, were of thankfulness to God's richness over our family and His grace over our lives. Looking back, that is my favorite time God showed me what a home feels like for a child, and what God has intended a family should emulate. I am forever grateful for my grandparents living their lives pleasing unto the Lord and giving me a view of what they never had as children, but had chosen for each family member to see.

Fast forward 40 years, I cannot go a day without thinking of all the children entering foster care each year and wondering if have ever truly felt Thanksgiving? After 13 years of fostering 61 children, our family has learn how it must be hard to have learn someone else's "traditions", be in other family's home during the holidays.  Thankful is not the word I think enters their minds. No, I think words like loneliness, fear, emptiness and being away from their own family. Their pain of separation from the only parents they have ever known. The feeling of why am I here? Who are these people? I struggle to see each perspective of how lives can change for the children in foster care and the hopeless void of the loss of their family. All that they are missing during the holidays.

Take a moment as you feel yourself being pulled from the only family you ever knew. Although, a dysfunctional family, with no traditions, prayer or laughter, but your only family they you can call your own. The same family you have lived with for your 4-10 years of life. And yet, suddenly being put into a new life with strangers who want to call you their family.  We are taught from an early life, that strangers are scary. So why did those people with badges bring me into a stranger's home and why do I have to sleep in this strange bed and listen to these people who are calling me theirs? No one looks like me. No one knows what I like or don’t like to eat. All of these thoughts elude my mind as I think of our children at Thanksgiving. All their thoughts of what do I have to give to be thankful for?   I just want my family. I want to go home!! Not here!

Now let me share from the perspective of what most people are thinking. "Children will love all the joys we have to give them at Thanksgiving." "The children will have a family for Thanksgiving!!  "The children will have traditions." Or maybe, "These poor kids probably have never been thankful for a home." "I bet they have never known what a true Thanksgiving feels like." But we all know, what we all want for Thanksgiving is to be with family, and usually our own family.

I want to show you how we should embrace our children in foster care who enter each home this Thanksgiving and Christmas season. I pray that each child feels our love. I pray that they aren't scared, aren't too sad or cry themselves to sleep. I pray that they feel the heart of who we are in our thankful home. I want each soul to know what Thanksgiving is in the own heart and keep that memory sacred. I pray that they find our home welcoming to their fears, comforting to their tears and understanding to their ways. I hope you see a child from their perspective and not what we want them to see.

If I teach our world anything, it would be that our core family is a constant for a thankful home. Thanksgiving is a time to show the true meaning of family, through our gentleness in their lives. That each child can see what the true meaning of Thanksgiving is for them. That they can one day remember the sights, sounds, and emotional moments valued in our foster care homes. One day each child who has entered our home, will grow up to have families, and my prayer is they want the treasured memories of love, comfort and a shared respect for family.

Sincerely Blessed, Thankful and Filled with His love this Thanksgiving!

In His Service,
Tammy
president and founder of +Foster Closet
"Mom to the Broken - Hope to the Fatherless"

Thankful Heart!

I’m taking a minute to brag on a sweet, Godly family, who also are fantastic supporters of the Foster Closet.  They don’t ask for reconnection. They don’t like the limelight or praise. They indeed are, humbled selfless servants of God.

But, all of you that know me--know that when a door opens for souls who have the same heart for children in foster care, I like to share the Why!

So please forgive me, Tori & Daniel Murphy, as I take this moment to give God The Praise, in your gifts of love for the kids and families of those whom we serve!

We have been given a fantastic honor of knowing Daniel and Tori, as they pour into their community by being God’s vessel in helping “the Least these” in foster care. I have witnessed first-hand their commitment to our charity. It’s hard to express in words on Facebook just how remarkable God works through those who allow Him to use their lives for His Glory!

When our son Ben, (now 24) was around twelve years old,  he had the excellent opportunity to meet a local athlete who became one of his favorite baseball players of all time! Daniel Murphy was so kind when he met Ben, and as a parent, we always look at those who are good role models in your child’s life. Daniel stopped that day from his training to speak to our young son. That moment not only made Ben’s day but, that moment also showed Daniel’s kind heart for kids and forever touched Ben.  Ben has followed Daniel’s career ever since.

Fast forward to that moment in October when a post I made on Foster Closet’s Instagram account about needing a left-handed glove for a little girl, caused Tori to reach out to me about helping provide the glove! Through Tori’s love for softball, and these little girls desire to play ball, we connected! And, so the story begins! I am sharing this,  to show just how God works! Never underestimate how a “chance encounter,” some twelve years ago, can lead to God’s inspired will! And for that, I am grateful.

My husband, John M. McGuire and I always pray for God to send the perfect hand-picked friends who share in our love for children and children within foster care. We are blessed in the thousands who He has given us through these past nine years.

We are so thrilled to have Daniel and Tori as Friends of the Foster Closet and who are mind-like, spiritually connected souls to walk this journey at Foster Closet.  Thank you to this sweet couple who are sharing our love for children. They have set up a giving campaign for any child in foster care to receive free sporting goods. This Thanksgiving, they also, gave away two Thanksgiving meals to two well-deserved families. 

We are so immensely blessed, to ALL of you The Lord bringing to support, volunteers and share in our cause!  You are obedient to the command given in James 1:27, as we “Look After,” through Foster Closet Corporation, LLC.

Sincerely Blessed, Thankful and Filled with His love this Thanksgiving!

Next Step. Adoption....

Today's Blog is from a beautiful soul who is a dear friend and began her journey was a momma, but quickly became a relative placement.  Here is just part of her journey. You can read more from her blog link below.

Next Step: Adoption. So Why Am I Not Happy?

Today, the state terminated parental rights to the sweet baby boy we have been in love with for the last 10 months. So much anticipation went into today. Would the birth mother show up in court? If she did, would she make another claim that she didn’t receive something and delay things again? Would we be approved to adopt him? So many things could go wrong.

But they didn’t. Everything went according to plan. Rights were terminated. We were approved to adopt. So why do I feel so yucky? It doesn’t make any sense. We are one step closer to what we have been waiting for. Adoption. The day we no longer have to worry that someone will swoop in and take him. No more home visits, court hearings, asking permission for things. He would be ours and we could all move on to the next stage of being a family.

But, I’m sad.

I can’t help but think about the magnitude of this day. This is not just the day we were approved to adopt or the day we no longer have to worry about him going back. This is the day our baby boy lost his birth mom. The woman that he will ask about years down the road. The woman he will want to know details about and maybe even ask to meet. I’m heartbroken for him. I can’t celebrate while knowing that right now, in this moment, my baby boy has no legal parents. I never expected to feel this way.

After court, a well-meaning case worker sent a text saying “Congratulations”. It felt so inappropriate. I wonder how I would feel if a court severed the legal ties to my mom. Thankfully, our baby is too young to understand but older kids must feel so torn. I can’t imagine what that must be like. Parents can be horrible to a child but a child will still love their parents no matter what, ya know I will never again take TPR lightly. This moment will lay heavy on my heart forever.

#Anonymousmomma

https://thishopefulmess.org/2018/05/16/next-step-adoption-so-why-am-i-not-happy/