Helens Hope Chest

Helens Hope Chest reduces the financial burden on foster and kinship families while creating a safe, welcoming, and dignified space for the children in their care. Through its shop-by-appointment boutique located in Mesa, foster and kinship children pick out clothing, books, school supplies, birthday gifts, and more at no cost. The holiday season culminates with JaKelles Christmas Box, when foster and kinship families choose from an assortment of high-quality gifts. The event brings even more holiday joy because it comes at no cost to the foster/kinship families. Newly formed agency partnerships have been valuable in creating a stronger program, while sharing resources and strengthening the network of services available for foster and kinship families in Arizona. Operating with a small staff and large army of seasonal and year-round volunteers, Helens Hope Chest accomplishes much. Sorting donations, laundering, organizing, displaying attire, and assisting shopping families with thoughtful attention creates a culture of care for those in need. With careful attention to costs and use of resources, funds are used to maintain a safe and welcoming environment and to ensure that inventory on hand meets the needs of each child who shops in the boutique. In 2025, with more than 7,000 shopping visits, Helens Hope Chest provided more than 56,000 items of quality clothing and shoes and 14,000 age-appropriate books for children in foster and kinship care. The need is as immense as the financial relief provided.