Our Programs
Our Village Closet (OVC) has five distinct programs.
Our main program is the OVC Resource Center, where caregivers and youth of foster care (ages 0-25) can "shop" for no-cost essentials and comfort items. Eligible youth can “shop” (everything is free) the essentials they may need. These items may be clothes, blankets, shoes, toys, books, art supplies, baby items, safety items, comfort care, sporting goods, toiletries, bedding, and even small furniture. Our team of volunteers and staff work directly with those who need guidance and support.
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​Program Participants are required to fill out an Annual Eligibility Form (link the form), and are asked to follow quantity guidelines while shopping. On average, we serve between 275-325 youth and caregivers each month at the OVC Resource Center.
GIVING CHANCES
15% Off All Items
This program is closely related to the OVC Resource Center. Program Participants may submit special requests to be approved and funded by this program. Often this includes specialty items or activities. Examples we have funded include: a baking and cake decorating kit, a specific Halloween costume, a birthday gift we don't have at the Resource Center, registration fees and equipment for martial arts lessons, cost associated with driving lessons and DMV fees, certain technology needed to meet special needs of the youth in foster care, etc.
GIVEAWAY EVENTS
Each year, we coordinate and host two separate giveaway events for foster youth and resource families.
15% Off All Items
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Back To School Event
Our Back to School Giveaway event is usually held in late July. Here, the youth themselves can CHOOSE their new backpack, lunch bag, water bottle, new pair of shoes, and general school supplies. The joy, pride, and dignity seen in these youth while getting their items is priceless. Last year we began collaborating with Wayfinder Family Services (Kinship/Relative Families) to streamline our event and make the experience more efficient.
15% Off All Items
Holiday Gift Event
Our Holiday Gift Event is held at the beginning of December each year. Here, caregivers pick out 3 gifts and 2 stocking stuffers for each youth of foster care in their home. We offer holiday decorations to take, and gift wrapping to finish the experience.
OVC CONNECTIONS & SUPPORT
This program fosters connections to available training opportunities, wellness activities, and support groups.
Trainings
(links can go here to available trainings/classes)
Groups
Conversations About Adoption: Quarterly
Listening to adoptees share their stories, learning through conversations
Caring for Caregivers Support Group: Thursdays at OVC 12:00 pm-1:30 pm
Peer to Peer (open to Foster, Adoptive, Relative, and Guardian Caregivers)
Yoga: 2nd Mondays at OVC - 12:00 pm - 12:50 pm
For adult program participants, staff, & volunteers- upstairs in the Office Lounge
Spanish Support Circle for Biological Parents: Returning in 2025- Day & Time TBD
For those in preservation, reunification, or recently reunified
Spanish Support Circle for Resource Parents: Returning in 2025 - Day & Time TBD
For Foster, Adoptive, Relative, and Guardian Caregivers
Maker Workshops: Coming in 2025
Connecting & Healing through art and creativity in a small group
SENSORY SUPPORT
15% Off All Items
Through this program we offer suggestions from caregivers who have lived experience, resource navigation, and supplies to support the youth experiencing sensory regulation issues and the caregivers parenting this difficult condition, often exacerbated by trauma. We offer a number of items and tools to support caregivers as they help their youth regulate, including weighted blankets or lap pads, headphones, various fidgets, chewies, body socks, and more.