Women Who Inspire: Nicole McCarter and the Blessings Closet
In a small rural Oklahoma town, one young lady decided to make a difference for foster kids in her area. Christian Women Living Magazine is honored to introduce Nicole McCarter, the hands and feet behind the Blessings Closet.
Cyndi Kay Green: Please give us a brief introduction.
Nicole McCarter: Hey y’all I’m Nicole McCarter. I’m a single mama to two 2 yr old little boys Hesston and Logan. And a dog mom to our doberman Scarlet. I fostered to adopt the boys and they are my entire world. I love going on road trips and experiencing new things with them.
CKG: Can you give us a summary on your journey with Christ — (a brief testimony)?
NM: God has been with me every walk of life. I had always wanted to be a mother. However, I found out that I could never have children of my own. That is when God laid it on my heart to foster and eventually adopt.
I kept hearing “there are so many children out there that need a mom, just as much as you want a child.” It wasn’t 15 days after we were certified to be foster parents that we got the call for my Hesston. He was brought to us at 2 days old. Nobody knew how his story was going to end, but deep down I knew someday I would become his forever mom. We fostered him for 14 months before he was placed back with his biological mother. After 9 months of praying, God brought him back to us, and 9 months after that we were able to adopt him. During all of this time we also had been blessed with Logan, my little wild child. We got Logan at 9 months old and his biological mother had asked me after one month of having to adopt him. She told me she had prayed about it and she knew he was where he belongs. 1 year and 10 days later we were able to adopt him. With all this being said God has blessed me with so much more than I could ever ask for. He has been so faithful to me by making me a mother. I always prayed to be a mom and have twins, and boy did God come through with that prayer. Having two boys only 3 months apart is basically like having twins. He truly blessed me with my boys. My next walk of life includes being a single mom. Which he has already blessed me with amazing supportive family and friends.
CKG: Tell us about the Blessings Closet. (location, purpose, requirements, etc.)
NM: The Blessings Closet is something I started when I personally saw a need as a foster mom. We would receive kiddos that only came with the clothes on their back. No shoes, no toys or personal belongings. I knew right then and there, there had to be some kind of change in our small county. I actually started the Blessings Closet at my house and it has just kept growing and growing.
So when a child comes into custody or reunification with their biological parents, either the caseworker or new foster parents will contact me about needing clothing, shoes, diapers, baby equipment, etc. for that child or children. But my mission is not only to help children in foster care, but to also help any child in need in Adair County. If we can help prevent a child from coming into custody by helping parents out by say helping them locate a bed, then that’s I do. Our building is located besides Westville Laundry Mat in Westville, Ok.
CKG: When did you know the project (the Blessings Closet) was going to be bigger than you imagined or prepared for?
NM: When I see the love our community has had in giving donations. About twice a week I am being brought donations. When I started it, I honestly thought I would have a few people donate items, but I’ve had a good 60 people donate things.
CKG: Do think that other communities will follow suit and create a Blessings Closet? If so, what are some recommendations you would make to setting up closet for those in need?
MN: I sure hope so. They say it takes a village to help raise a child and I personally believe that. Having been a foster/adoptive mom myself I know how much it takes to raise a child from infant to teenage years. If more communities would open up something like this, kids would maybe a little bit of a better life. Even if that means they are blessed with a new pair of shoes to start school with. We as a whole have got to start doing better for these kids. My biggest recommendation is to pray about it and listen to God when he puts it on your heart.
CKG: What was the biggest challenge for this project?
NM: My biggest challenge is going thru donations. I sort everything for each season and wash the clothes. We have had some donations that haven’t been that great, clothes with stains and holes. I love having people donate gently used clothes, but not completely worn out shoes and clothes.
CKG: Is there one thing that is most needed and least donated?
NM: I would say the most needed item is going to be diapers, pull ups, wipes and new shoes.
CKG: Share with us a time when you know God moved and changed a life or lives.
NM: I would have to say I know and saw God move with my two sons biological mothers. They did the hardest thing anybody could ever do, ask someone else to raise their child. I saw God bring together myself and two other ladies. It was not by chance that this happened. It was all in his perfect timing. To this day, we stay in contact, so they are able to watch their boys grow up. I still continue to pray blessings over their lives.
CKG: What has been your most cherished moment in conjunction with the Blessings Closet?
NM: It was around Christmas time and I had several people reach out to me about presents for their children. These children were not in custody, but since the pandemic some parents haven’t been able to find work. I was gathering what toys and clothes I could to help them. I had a single dad of 4 small girls reach out to me needing a mattress for his daughters. They had been sleeping on a blow up mattress that had recently got a hole in it. God had worked it out where a friend of mine was giving one away. We were able to pic the mattress up and meet the gentleman with it and also some toys, clothes and shoes for his daughters. The look on his was face was priceless. He was so incredibly thankful. He messaged me a few days later telling me how much his
CKG: Who has been the most inspirational person in your life?
NM: Both of my parents. They have both been thru so much and continue to rely on God and each other. They have shown me what true love looks like. When I told them I was going to foster to adopt, they never once tried to talk me out of it. From day one, they have loved and cared for every single foster child we have brought into our home. They truly have a heart of gold. I am so blessed to have such amazing parents to look up to as role models, not only for myself but for my boys as well.
CKG: Do you feel that this need has increased in relation to the pandemic?
NM: Yes. Some people are not able to still find a job, so they need help with say a pack of diapers or some clothes for their child. I don’t want any child to go without anything.
CKG: Is there a way for our readers to support the Blessings Closet?
NM: Yes we have a Facebook page “The Blessings Closet” or people are more than welcome to contact me via phone at 918-797-7895.
Christian Women Living Magazine would like to thank Nicole for sharing the story of The Blessing Closet and for all the work she does to bless the children of foster care in her area.
