Like others in Simpson County, Sara Skinner opened a new business in the midst of the Covid pandemic.
Claire Belle Children’s Boutique was crafted out of necessity after Skinner had difficulty finding matching Easter outfits for her young children in 2020.
“I have foster children and biological children, and I like my kids to always look cute for church or whatever. Plus I wasn’t working as a nurse as much getting the foster children,” Skinner said. She and husband Jason married in 1997 and have four children, two biological sons, 28 and 15, and two adopted children; a five-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy. They initially fostered their two adopted little ones.
The children’s clothing Skinner carries in the boutique is made by a woman-owned company in Florida that was started from home because the owner is a mom and wanted to stay home to take care of her kids.
“My largest sales of clothing begin at newborn and ends at 5/6 but goes up to size 10/12,” Skinner said. She offers off the rack sales and preorders are available through her Facebook page.
The clothing line is unique in that there are limited prints and quantities available. Each week three new prints are published. Once sold there are no more.
Children’s clothing is not Sara’s background. After the couple’s oldest son started kindergarten she went to college and earned a degree as a registered nursing. She said that before their second son was born, the couple had the opportunity to adopt a family member’s child, but the adoption fell through.
“I think that’s where the seed was planted, about 20 years ago and we didn’t think about it anymore,” Sara said.
Fast forward to 2015. The Skinners were living in Taylorsville, Miss., and attending First Baptist Church there. “We heard a couple give their story of adoption. It was literally like someone turned the water faucet on and we cried the whole service,” Sara explained. By this time their sons were both in school. “I told Jason when I’m 30 I’m done; and God smiled,” she said with a smile. Sara is now 45.
Skinner said that becoming a licensed foster family is a lengthy process, but it was worth it for them. It was a desire fulfilled. The Skinners have had ten foster children through their home since they were licensed in the State of Mississippi in 2017.
The family now lives in Magee and they continue to foster children. Claire Belle plays a role in their fostering as well. Skinner created Foster Life Ministries not long after the opening of her store,which is located in Magee at Mississippi Hippie. “I try to use it as a blessing in disguise. Some of the older prints I have donated to different organizations. It’s a win/win,” Skinner said.
“Foster Life Ministries is my ministry and is operated through my church (New Life Fellowship in Magee). At the beginning of 2020 I saw a huge need; we’ve been fostering children since 2017. These children come to our home sometimes with garbage bags full of dirty clothes that are too little. The state does help with clothing assistance but it hasn’t increased any since we’ve been fostering and it’s been a lot. I don’t want foster parents to be burdened when they take these children in. It’s a huge undertaking to take on that extra responsibility. If we can ease that burden in any way, that’s what I would like to do with my ministry,” Skinner explained.
Foster Life offers a variety of resources including a support group and a foster closet that contains necessities from clothing to furniture. Skinner added, “We just want to wrap around that foster family and provide them with support.” The ministry holds an annual Back to School Bash and this year’s provided 58 back packs for foster children. For perspective, the state has 4,000 children in need of foster homes.
The Community Closet is available to non fostering families also. It operates through New Life and is located across from Boswell Regional Center on Highway 149 in the strip mall. All clothing and shoes are only $1. “We get some of the best donations! We just received a 26 foot U-Haul truck full of Rhea Lana’s of Madison!” Skinner added. The closet primarily carries children’s clothing but is in need of adult sizes as teenagers are often placed in foster care too. The hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for shopping and donation drop off.
“It’s a whole new lifestyle you have to learn to foster children but it’s so worth it. When you see that child come in and they may be withdrawn and scared; they get comfortable in your home and they realize these are good people. It’s like watching a flower open up and bloom,” said Sara. The Skinners try to recruit good parents who will provide a stable environment for those in foster care.
“I love seeing how God puts people together. It’s not just our church; multiple churches support that foster ministry; lots of different denominations are the hands and feet of Jesus.” Skinner continued, “I love that God can come in and turn your life around. I say it to all my children that come through especially the teenagers – what happened in your past does not define who you are. That’s what I live by. People put labels on themselves because of what happened to them. I’m overwhelmed with blessings. It’s amazing to me!”
