Foster Heart & Hope
About Foster Heart & Hope
Foster Heart & Hope gives children impacted by foster care a free boutique shopping experience in Omaha, where clothing and basic needs are offered in a setting designed to feel comfortable and dignified. It also creates arts, life-skills, and employment-related opportunities for foster-impacted youth and the families who care for them. If you want to support work that starts with essentials and keeps going toward confidence and stability, this is the kind of organization that makes that case plainly.
What sets Foster Heart & Hope apart is the way it treats basic needs as part of a bigger picture. Monthly Shopping Days at Trey’s Boutique, Artsy Kids, LaunchPad, BeLOVED Boutique, and emergency needs appointments all point toward the same idea, children and young adults impacted by foster care should have support that feels personal, practical, and respectful.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Shopping Days at Trey's Boutique
Monthly free shopping days where children impacted by foster care can shop for clothing and other basic needs in a boutique setting.
Artsy Kids
A monthly art program for school-aged children impacted by foster care, offered with an art educator and volunteers.
LaunchPad
A four-part skill and confidence-building program for youth ages 18 to 25 impacted by foster care, focused on Live, Learn, Work, and Launch.
BeLOVED Boutique
A community-focused women's boutique offering re-loved clothing, shoes, handbags, accessories, and supervised job placements for LaunchPad participants.
Emergency needs appointments
Appointments outside regular shopping days for emergency needs.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Our mission is to provide basic needs and opportunities for children and families impacted by foster care so they feel confident, empowered, and valued.
Who they serve
Children, teens, and young adults impacted by foster care, along with foster families and caregivers.
How your donation helps
- Fund programs and purchase clothing in specific types and sizes.
- Provide new merchandise for Shopping Days and boutique inventory.
Our story
Amber Richardson’s foster-parent experience shaped this organization in a very real way. After a 14-month-old child was placed in her arms with a single black trash bag and very few worn-out clothes, she wanted to create a boutique-like space where children in foster care could receive quality clothing and families could get additional support. Foster Love was established in June 2020, became an official 501(c)(3) in January 2021, and opened a storefront boutique in Downtown Ralston on July 11, 2021.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Foster Heart & Hope’s services.
Families register for one shopping date and time slot each month and must get a ticket for every child in the home who will shop. First-time shoppers bring proof of placement paperwork, and emergency needs can be handled by appointment outside regular shopping days. Walk-ins are not offered.
In their words
"when you look good you feel good."
"We want to inspire children in foster care through a little help, a little hope, and a belief within themselves that they can rise above the difficult circumstances they face today." - Amber Richardson
Events
Shopping Days at Trey's Boutique
monthlyMonthly shopping opportunities for children impacted by foster care.
Schools-Out Picnic
throughout the yearA special event for foster families held during the year.
Back-to-School Party
throughout the yearA special event for foster families held during the year.
Boo-tique Bash
throughout the yearA seasonal event for foster families.
Sweets with Santa
yearlyA holiday event for foster families.
Parents Night Out
throughout the yearAn event for foster families held during the year.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Foster Heart & Hope has shared.
Current needs
- New merchandise
- Clothing drives
- Undergarment and sock drives
- Shoe drives
- Bag drives
- Animal and blanket drives
- Book drives
- Volunteer help to keep the space organized and the boutique stocked
Volunteer opportunities
- Help organize and stock the boutique.
- Support collection drives for clothing, socks, shoes, bags, blankets, and books.
- Volunteer with Artsy Kids.
- Help with shopping days and other program activities.
Partners & funders
In the news
Articles featuring Foster Heart & Hope from the Love What You Fund newsroom.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What is included in a first Shopping Day visit?
On a first visit, children receive 4 tops, 4 bottoms, 4 socks, 4 undies, 2 accessories, and 1 book.
What is LaunchPad?
LaunchPad is a four-part program for youth ages 18 to 25 impacted by foster care. It centers on Live, Learn, Work, and Launch, and is delivered with other Omaha-area providers.
How can someone get help outside regular Shopping Days?
Appointments can be made for emergency needs outside regular shopping days.