We are excited to share a major milestone for The Village – a Foster Care Closet. We have acquired and remodeled a new building that will greatly expand our ability to serve foster children, foster families, social workers, CASA workers, and the broader foster care community.
Our new space is part of the Bingham Community Outreach Center, located at 250 West Judicial Street in Blackfoot. The building is approximately 12,000 square feet and has undergone a total remodel. This move represents a tremendous upgrade for the children and families we serve.
In our previous building, the children had about 1,700 square feet of shopping space. In the new building, they will now have approximately 5,000 to 6,000 square feet of space where they can shop, choose, try things on, and find items that meet both their needs and their wants.
That difference matters.
A City Block of Free Community Services
We are honored to share the building with the Blackfoot Community Dinner Table / Blackfoot Food Bank, which is already operating in the back side of the building. They will also be opening an outreach center designed to serve the entire community.
Together, this building will become something truly special: essentially a city block of free services for our community.
It is a place where families can find support, where children can be cared for, and where organizations can work side by side to meet real needs in Bingham County and beyond.
Office Space and Conference Room Available
In addition to The Village and the outreach services in the building, our facility also includes four office spaces and a large conference room available for rent.
The conference room will be available to businesses, organizations, and individuals in the community for a minimal price. Anyone interested in using that space can contact Patrick Edinburgh to get on the calendar.
Patrick Edinburgh
Phone: 801-946-5451
Email: patrick.idfapa@gmail.com
A Better Experience for Foster Youth
We are especially excited about what this move means for the children who come to The Village.
One of the upgrades includes two dressing rooms. That may sound like a small thing, but for our children, it is a meaningful improvement. They will no longer have to change or try on clothing in a bathroom. They will now have a dedicated, private space where they can try on clothes with dignity.
The new building also includes a dedicated prom dress room, complete with suits for young men as well. This is part of a statewide program we offer to all children in foster care. Now the dresses and suits are visible and accessible, and local youth can come in, try them on, and have the full experience of choosing something special for themselves.
We also have many sensory items available, including swings, swivel chairs, and other supports. Children can try these items to see what works for them before a foster parent purchases something similar. This gives families a chance to make better decisions and gives children a chance to discover what helps them feel calm, regulated, and supported.
Why Choice Matters
The whole purpose of having a storefront for children in foster care is simple but powerful:
They get to choose for themselves.
When children enter foster care, many of their choices are suddenly taken away or put on hold. They may be told where they will live, when they will see their family, where they will go to school, and what their daily life will look like.
At The Village, they have autonomy.
They can choose what they like. They can take what they need. And just as importantly, they can also choose items that are fun. We believe foster children deserve more than basic necessities. They deserve moments of joy, personality, preference, and ownership.
At The Village, they get a little bit of their voice back.
A Birthday Room for the Youth We Serve
Another highlight of the new building is our birthday room.
This room is furnished entirely with brand-new items, including toys, electronics, and other gifts. It is exclusively available for social workers, foster parents, and CASA workers to come and shop for the youth they serve.
Birthdays matter. Every child deserves to be celebrated. This room helps make sure children in foster care can receive something new, thoughtful, and special on their birthday.
Join Us for the Grand Opening
We are very excited about this new opportunity and this move into our building. This space will change the experience for foster youth and greatly expand the way we serve families across our community.
Our Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting will be held:
Friday, May 29th
12:00 PM
The Village – a Foster Care Closet
Bingham Community Outreach Center
250 West Judicial Street
Blackfoot, Idaho
The event is open to the public. We look forward to meeting everyone, giving tours, and sharing what is new at The Village.
Hope Grows Here.