Family starts nonprofit Lisa’s Closet to honor legacy of Vilonia paraprofessional

VILONIA, Ark. – A nonprofit made in honor of a Vilonia woman provides shoes and books to children while teaching simple acts of kindness.

Lisa Barber was a paraprofessional at Vilonia Elementary School and lived a life of kindness. After she died in 2020 from a pulmonary embolism, her family created the nonprofit, Lisa’s Closet, to honor her legacy.

Her husband, Sean Barber, and their two children came up with the name Lisa’s Closet.

“She had a passion for children and a passion for just helping others and kindness,” Barber said. “Lisa really loves shoes, and so there was a need for children’s shoes out there, so we decided let’s provide shoes for kids.”

It began at the elementary school where Lisa worked, and now it provides a closet for the entire Vilonia School District.

“A new pair of shoes doesn’t seem like a lot to you and me, but a new pair of shoes to some of these kids was life-changing,” Barber said. “When we hand those shoes out to the kids, it’s like Christmas.”

Each shoe paves the way as an example of a simple act of kindness. Upon receiving a pair of shoes, students can continue to learn about kindness through a book they receive and a sticker learning about Lisa’s legacy of kindness.

Since its start in 2021, Lisa’s Closet has provided over 500 shoes to the children in Vilonia Schools. This school year, they are expanding their reach in hopes of helping more children.

“I had a meeting yesterday, and we’re going to officially be in our first Conway school this year,” Barber said. “Our fundraiser in June, the month of Lisa’s birthday, was wildly successful, and that’s what enabled us to break into Conway.”

“They are going to school with all these kids who get a pair of back-to-school shoes, and at Christmas, they get new shoes, well these kids don’t have that,” Barber said.

Lisa’s Closet and the group Lisa and the League of Kindness work hard year-round, fundraising to provide children with shoes in the spring and fall so kids feel more confident.

“It really makes an impact on their lives, and that’s really what it’s all about,” Barber said.

Barber says he continues to keep going because of the impact he is making in honor of his wife.

More information on Lisa’s Closet can be found at LisasCloset.net .

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