Jose’s Closet founder, Wendy Esquibel, was a foster and adoptive parent who understood firsthand the emotional and financial challenges of welcoming children into her home—often with little or no notice, and even fewer belongings. Inspired by Jose’s memory and motivated by compassion, she began collecting and sharing gently used clothing and essentials out of a spare closet in her home, helping other foster families feel more prepared and supported.
What started as a small, grassroots effort quickly grew into a trusted community resource for foster, kinship, and adoptive families across Arizona. As demand increased, so did the reach of Jose’s Closet.
In 2025, AZAFAP assumed oversight of Jose’s Closet, further aligning it with AZAFAP’s mission to serve families by providing vital resources—including clothing, shoes, and everyday necessities—for the children they welcome and care for.
Our Mission
Jose’s Closet supports foster, kinship, and adoptive families by providing free access to clothing, toys, baby gear, and other essential items. Our goal is to ease the financial stress that often comes with caring for children through foster care and adoption.
Thanks to generous community donations, families can visit our donation-based boutique and choose the items their children need—at no cost.
Raising children can be expensive, especially when it happens unexpectedly. We’re here to help ensure every child has what they need, and every caregiver feels supported.
Membership
Caring for kids can come with unexpected needs — and we’re here to help.
Through your membership with Jose’s Closet, you can get clothing, baby items, toys, food, and more at no cost, so you can focus on what matters most: the kids in your care.
Jose’s Closet is here for foster, kinship, adoptive families, and youth in extended foster care.
Membership includes all children in your household up to age 21.
To get started, please bring:
- Photo identification for the parent or caregiver
- DCS placement paperwork or guardianship documentation
- Adoption paperwork (if applicable)
- Birth certificates for any biological children in your home
You will complete a membership application packet at your first visit, and update it each year to keep your membership current.
This info helps us meet grant requirements and maintain our status as a Qualifying Foster Care Organization (QFCO) so we can keep providing these services to families.
As a member, you’ll have access to:
- Monthly shopping visits — pick out a week’s worth of head-to-toe clothing and seasonal essentials for each child
- Baby gear, toys, and other essentials to meet your family’s needs
- Diaper bank — monthly access to diapers for children in your care
- Weekly food bank access — available and encouraged for all families
Raising kids is a big job. We’re here to make sure you don’t have to do it alone.
Whether you’re welcoming a new placement, helping teens prepare for adulthood, or simply trying to keep up with growing kids, our goal is to help make life a little easier.
We believe every child deserves to feel valued, supported, and cared for — and every caregiver deserves a community behind them. You’re doing important work, and we’re here to make sure you have the support and resources you need.
Volunteers
Volunteer at Jose’s Closet
Volunteers are the heart of Jose’s Closet—our ability to serve foster, kinship, and adoptive families depends on the time, energy, and compassion of people like you. Volunteering at Jose’s Closet is a meaningful experience for individuals and groups alike. It’s especially great for:
- Church & youth groups
- Corporate service teams
- Retirees & stay-at-home parents
- Families volunteering together
- AZAFAP member families
We welcome volunteers of all ages and abilities, and there’s always something to do! Volunteering with us is a great way to earn service hours, bond as a group, or simply give back to your community. Whether you can come weekly or just once in a while, there are many ways to help:
Ways You Can Help
- Sort, organize, and stock clothing, toys, and baby items
- Organize donations and keep shelves tidy in Food Pantry
- Support warehouse operations (inventory, restocking, folding)
- Provide administrative help for special projects
No experience is necessary—we’ll train you on-site!
Ready to make a difference?
We’d love to have you join us! Contact us at info@josescloset.org
or call 480-309-1743 to learn more or sign up.
Together, we’re building a stronger community—one child, one family at a time.
Donate
Ways to Give to Jose’s Closet
Jose’s Closet is a donation-based resource that exists because of the incredible generosity of our community. We provide essential items to foster, kinship, and adoptive families free of charge—thanks to people like you.
There are many meaningful ways to support our work:
Donate Items
We gladly accept new and gently used items that help children and teens feel confident, cared for, and prepared for life’s daily needs. Your donated items make a direct impact by filling Jose’s Closet with choices for families who are often welcoming children with little to no belongings.
We accept:
- Clothing (sizes newborn to adult XXL) – everyday wear, seasonal apparel, formalwear, pajamas, and new undergarments
- Shoes – all sizes, from infant to adult
- Baby gear – including strollers, highchairs, playpens, carriers, and diaper bags
- Diapers, wipes, and formula – unopened packages only
- Books and toys – for all age groups (new and gently used)
- Bedding and blankets – new or gently used (no stains or tears)
- Backpacks, lunchboxes, and school supplies
- Sports equipment and games
We kindly ask that all items be clean, in good condition, and ready to be loved again. We are unable to accept damaged, broken, stained, or incomplete items.
Donation Drop-Off Hours
Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
No appointment needed—just ring the bell at our donation door or bring your donations into the store.
Host a Donation Drive
Hosting a donation drive is a powerful way to rally your community around a cause that truly matters. By organizing a drive, you can help Jose’s Closet collect the essential items families need most—while also raising awareness about the unique challenges these families face.
Host a donation drive with your school, church, business, or community group. We’ll guide you every step of the way and share an updated list of our most-needed items.
If you’re interested in hosting a donation drive, please contact us at 480-309-1743 or email us at info@josescloset.org
We’d love to partner with you to make your drive a success!
Support Jose’s Closet Through the Arizona Tax Credit
Jose’s Closet operates under AZAFAP, a Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organization (QFCO). Your donation may qualify for a dollar-for-dollar Arizona tax credit—up to $618 for individuals or $1,234 for couples filing jointly.
Learn more about donating through the Arizona Tax Credit and how your contribution can make an even greater impact.
Shop Our Amazon Wish List
Support Jose’s Closet by shopping from our Amazon Wishlist, which includes essential items that keep the store running smoothly—from batteries for toys to cleaning supplies and organizational materials. Items purchased ship directly to us, making it easy to help.
Check out our Amazon Wish List
Support Jose’s Closet While You Shop at Fry’s!
Giving back is as easy as grocery shopping. When you use your Fry’s VIP card, a portion of your purchase total goes directly to AZAFAP which includes Jose’s Closet—at no extra cost to you!
Every time you shop, you’re helping us support foster, kinship, and adoptive families across Arizona. Thank you for making your grocery trip go even further!
Employer Donation Matching
Did you know your donation could have double the impact? Many employers offer matching gift programs that will match the charitable contributions of their employees.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, AZAFAP — which includes Jose’s Closet — qualifies for most employer match programs.
Check with your HR department or company giving portal to see if your gift is eligible for a match. It’s an easy way to increase your support for foster, kinship, and adoptive families in Arizona!
Jose’s Closet History
Remembering Jose
Jose was a beloved foster child whose life, though short, left a lasting impact. Before he passed away, his final wish was simple yet profound—that he would not be forgotten. In honor of that wish, and in memory of the incredible spirit he carried, Jose’s Closet was created.
Jose was born on July 22, 1997, and became an angel on November 4, 2007. His memory lives on in every child we help and every family we serve.
Emma’s Eats
Emma entered foster care before she was two months old after suffering injuries from shaken baby syndrome. The trauma left her blind, experiencing seizures, and living as a quadriplegic. Despite these challenges, Emma found a loving home with Wendy and Tonya, who adopted her and gave her a joyful life until she gained her angel wings on August 16, 2019, at just 9 years old.
Seven months later, as the pandemic began and families faced new struggles, the need shifted to food support. To honor Emma’s memory, Jose’s Closet launched Emma’s Eats. What started as a temporary effort to feed families soon grew into a full food bank within Jose’s Closet, continuing her legacy of love and care.
