Founded by Michele Austin in 2013, the Oakland County Foster Closet supports foster families in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne Counties. It provides services to at-risk, adopted, foster, and qualified low-income children, supported by community financial resources, in-kind donations, fundraisers, and grants.

Michelle knew firsthand that foster children often enter the system with nothing but the clothes on their backs, so she collected clothing, shoes, bedding and diapers, and operated the closet out of her home. As OCFC grew in popularity among families in need, the nonprofit moved into a 4,000-square-foot building in Farmington Hills.

Their services help reduce financial strain for foster families by freeing up funds that would otherwise be used to fulfill immediate needs like clothing and diapers, which are not always paid for by state agencies. This enables foster families to use their funds to help children adapt to their homes.

Michelle acts as the OCFC director and is passionate about their mission that every child has a loving environment where they can grow and thrive. Michelle will share her story of faith at the Mission Moment on Sunday, August 3 after worship in Fellowship Hall. Please be aware that they accept donations of clothing and equipment for preemies through teenage children, and volunteers are always welcome to help organize them for family shopping.