A new resource called Hope Closet has opened at Juvenile Probation to assist youth involved in the juvenile court system by providing clothing and essential living items. The new location is larger than its previous space, offering improved organization, accessibility, and privacy for visitors.
The expanded facility now includes separate rooms for feminine, masculine, and baby or toddler clothing. It also features a sorting room, a changing room, an accessory room, as well as areas dedicated to toiletries and resources such as school supplies and information about community services.
“We now have separate rooms for feminine, masculine, and baby/toddler clothing,” said Innovations and Communications Manager Laura Eller. “We also have a sorting room, a changing room, and an accessory room. Additionally, we can dedicate space to toiletries and resources such as school supplies and community resource information. Because of this expansion, we can provide more items in a space that resembles a true shopping experience for our youth and their families.”
Youth may visit Hope Closet with the help of a probation officer to select what they need. For those who cannot visit in person, probation officers can use an online form to request items on behalf of the youth and deliver them during supervision visits.
“Many of our youth and their families are in need of clothing, essential toiletries and school supplies,” said Eller. “The Hope Closet allows our department to provide these essentials to our youth and their families in a dignified and respectful manner.”
In addition to meeting basic needs, the new space offers certified testing facilities so that young people working toward their GED while detained can complete exams before reentering the community.
Hope Closet is supported by several community organizations including the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Catholic Ministries, Maricopa County Adult Probation Department, Labor’s Community Service Agency, Arizona State University, along with Judicial Branch staff contributions. Since August 2025 when it opened in its current format, it has served 40 families.
