PHOENIX – The Foster Alliance, Arizona’s largest nonprofit provider of essential resources for children in foster care, now offers walk-in services at its newly opened Flagstaff boutique.
While the organization has served foster and kinship families across Arizona statewide for more than a decade, this marks the first time families in northern Arizona have access to a permanent, physical location offering free, in-person support.
Located at 5200 E. Cortland Blvd., the boutique is open twice a week and provides vital items to foster families, kinship caregivers, group homes, caseworkers, licensing agencies and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs)—all at no cost.
Walk-in hours are:
- Tuesdays: 3 to 7 p.m.
- Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Available items include:
- Twin beds and cribs
- Bedding
- Clothing and shoes
- Diapers and hygiene products
- Backpacks and school supplies
“It’s an honor to fill a need in the community and to support families who are working hard for the children in need of family, guardians and a home,” says Shawn Pendergast, program manager for northern Arizona, who oversees operations at the Flagstaff site.
To access services, families must bring a government-issued ID and either a notice to provide from the Arizona Department of Child Safety, tribal documentation or other approved verification. Families may also request items through their caseworkers, with orders available for pickup at the boutique.
The Flagstaff location also offers birthday bags by request. Families should submit their request at least one month in advance and select Flagstaff as the pickup location. The form is available at thefosteralliance.org.
Since opening the Flagstaff site in April 2024, The Foster Alliance has supported:
- 106 families
- 1,885 children
- 24,746 essential items distributed
In addition to growing its presence in Arizona, The Foster Alliance is expanding across state lines. This month, The Foster Alliance is announcing its partnership with New Mexico Friends of Foster Children, a well-established nonprofit with deep roots in the state, to extend services to families throughout New Mexico. The collaboration combines local experience and grassroots service with The Foster Alliance’s statewide logistics and distribution model.
“Foster families and the children they care for deserve consistent, compassionate support—wherever they live,” says Maureen Noe, president and CEO of The Foster Alliance. “We are proud to open our doors in northern Arizona and look forward to working hand-in-hand with New Mexico communities next.”
The Foster Alliance invites the Flagstaff community to join its mission by volunteering, donating or spreading the word. Together, the community can ensure that every child in foster care has the support they need.
For more information, visit thefosteralliance.org, call 480-889-0604 or email service@thefosteralliance.org.
About The Foster Alliance
The mission of The Foster Alliance is to support the foster care community, by providing essentials to benefit children in foster care and to help them thrive on every step of their journey. As Arizona’s largest provider of essential resources, we offer foster care families beds, cribs, clothing, diapers, and personal care items as well as backpacks with school supplies to help children succeed in school and fulfill birthday dreams to help raise self-esteem. Additionally, we provide state-required home safety items to help families become licensed providers by ensuring they can offer a safe home environment. Three words describe The Foster Alliance: compassionate, human, and innovative. To learn more or to become a #FosterAlly, visit www.thefosteralliance.org.