Inyo County to Recognize New Location for Foster Care Resource

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2025

Inyo County to Recognize New Location for  Foster Care Resource 

Mural to Also be Unveiled 

A joint effort among Inyo County Health & Human Services and community leaders has led to a new  and improved “Jasmine’s Closet,” a much-needed, additional resource for those in the local foster  care system.

For the past 8 years, Jasmine’s Closet has served as a repository for children coming into foster care  who are in need of immediate items such as clothing, shoes, toiletries, backpacks, and school  supplies. The public is invited to witness the unveiling of Jasmine’s Closet’s new location at 2 p.m. on  Tuesday, December 23 at 1440 N. Highway 6, Bishop. The closet is specifically located on the north  side of Bishop Veterinary Hospital next to the Inyo County Consolidated Office Building.

The location and shed were generously donated by Bishop Veterinary Hospital owners Dr. Taylor and  Kelly Ludwick. Altrusa of the Eastern Sierra will continue to volunteer tireless efforts to keep the  inventory, organize and order clothes, provide necessary supplies, and fundraise to purchase needed  items.

This improved resource for local youth is the result of a collaborative effort by Altrusa, Inyo County  Health & Human Services leadership, Inyo County Resource Family Approval Program, Karen Kong  (Foster Youth Services Program Coordinator), contractor Ray Stewart, and District 2 Supervisor Jeff Griffiths, a longtime foster parent and ardent advocate for foster children and their families.

Jasmine’s Closet is named for Supervisor Griffiths’ foster daughter, Jasmine Dee Reed, who tragically  died at the age of 21 in 2015. He previously established Jasmine’s Fund to help cover larger expenses  for foster youth.

“At its new and improved location, Jasmine’s Closet will continue to provide youth in crisis with not just  essentials, but some sense of stability during a very difficult time,” Supervisor Griffiths said. “I’m  honored to be a part of this effort and extend my gratitude to everyone who helped make it a reality. I  know this would make Jasmine proud of the community she so loved.”

The December 23 event will also serve as the unveiling of a mural – created by C5 Studios – that  replicates one of Jasmine’s paintings.

The public can help contribute to Jasmine’s Closet in two ways:

• Cash donations to Bishop Rotary Foundation through Van Tassell & Paegel, 119 MacIver St.,  Ste. G, Bishop; (760) 872-1122
• Donations of new clothing to Altrusa member and Inyo County Prevention Specialist Lori Weist,  who can be reached at (714) 325-7973.

News Staff