Whiteland nonprofit holds special foster youth shopping spree

The energy and excitement filtered through the shoe section, the athletic gear and the racks of shorts and shirts.

Twenty-five teenagers currently in foster care had come with their foster families to the Kohl’s store in Franklin on May 14. Through the nonprofit organization Resources of Hope, they were given an enticing mission — they had roughly $200 to spend on their own clothing.

The youths were assisted by volunteer “shopping buddies,” who guided them through the process and budgeting, and were given mandates on essentials they needed to buy.

But for the first time in many of their lives, the teens could embark on a shopping spree all of their own.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to show teenagers in foster care that their community loves them and supports them,” said Renae Furnee, executive director for Resources of Hope. “Teenagers have such a unique style that it’s nice to be able to pick out what they like.”

This was the second straight year Resources of Hope held its shopping spree for foster youth. The local agency, which is aimed at meeting the physical and emotional needs of foster youth, used funding provided by Greenwood Christian Church to give participants in its Teen Connect program a shopping experience unlike anything they’ve ever had before.

Volunteers and officials with Resources of Hope met May 14 with 25 foster youth and families to provide brand new clothes they could feel good about.

“Events like this help fulfill the basic needs of the kids in my house, whether that’s a pair of shoes or a favorite sweatshirt” said Kari Cummings, a foster parent who brought two foster teens to the event. “A lot of teens that go through have articles of clothing they remember things by. It could be a simply memory of our household. Like how a younger child can have a teddy bear, the same way for a teen to have a pair of jeans or a sweatshirt, it’s the exact same comfort.”

Resources of Hope was founded to remedy an issue that kept coming up in the foster community. When a young person enters foster care, they often arrive at their foster family with only the clothing on their backs, Furnee said.

From its Whiteland headquarters, the organization operates a clothing closet for young people of all ages and sizes. Kids and their foster families can come and pick out outfits, toys, blankets and more to make their transition a little bit easier.

“Older youth, they can literally come to you with the clothes on their backs. Then we’re trying to put pieces together working with Resources,” Cummings said.

Other programs, such as support groups, outreach events and the Birthday Blessing distribution, gives comfort during a traumatic time.

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Resources of Hope started its Teen Connect program to cater specifically to older foster youth. Once a month, the group gets together to play games, watch movies and take part in other activities designed for teens.

A shopping spree was something Furnee hoped she could do one day, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the infusion of funding. That funding came in early 2023, when the congregation at Greenwood Christian Church decided to give its Christmas offering to Resources of Hope.

The gift of $75,995 helped support the Teen Connect program, as well as provide shopping sprees the past two years.

“We had some leftover, so we were able to do the shopping spree again,” Furnee said.

Furnee worked with families within the Teen Connect program, as well as staff from Johnson County CASA, to sign up young people in need of new clothing. On May 14, the group met together at Kohl’s.

Teens were paired with adult volunteers who could help them pick out appropriate items and ensure they stayed within their budget. Each youth was given a shopping list to pick out the clothing they needed most, such as sweatshirts, pants, shoes, socks and underwear. If there was money left over, they could get additional items.

“I know people might think this is very minimal for us as a foster parent, but it’s not,” Cummings said. “Without (Resources of Hope), it would be impossible to provide.”

For foster parents, the shopping spree has an immediate impact on the kids they welcome into their homes.

Kristie Gentry is a foster parent who volunteered at the Resources of Hope shopping spree event the past two years. Only a few weeks after last year’s spree, she had a foster daughter come into care.

The girl had a new pair of shoes that she treasured — shoes that had come from the shopping spree.

“She was unpacking her stuff, and took out this box of new Nike running shoes,” Gentry said. “She told me all about how she got to go on this shopping spree at Kohls, and literally left them in the box because they were special shoes.

“You don’t realize how much of a treasure it is for them.”

Cummings had come to the event with two of her foster children. They came looking for quality work pants for his job, while they both needed clothing for school and just hanging out.

In anticipation of the spree, her teens had asked if they could scope out the store a few days before to have a plan once.

“They were very excited ever since I told them they were shopping for the program,” she said. “It’s one of those events that really good for them.”

Though tentative at first, the young people quickly were caught up in the excitement of the event. Some parsed through the shoes, finding the styles and fits that suited their personality. Volunteers helped them find the right sizes of jeans, and gave encouragement as they picked out stylish shirts, blouses and athletic gear.

The joy was palpable, not only among the teens but among volunteers and foster parents as well. Amidst the excitement, Furnee hoped the event gave the foster youth a bulwark against the immense challenges they face.

“Teenagers are at a critical point in their lives when the decisions they make today can affect their tomorrows,” Furnee said. “Our hope is that by coming around them and showing them that they’ve loved and cared for, they’ll make good choices.”