When the seasons change, the needs of our students increase.
As hearty New Englanders, we can typically adjust to the changing seasons as a regular part of our lives. For the students we serve, the arrival of a new season brings challenges that are difficult to nearly impossible to meet.
Students do not have clothes that fit them properly.
Kids grow very fast. It is extremely difficult for students and their families to purchase new, well-fitting clothes on a regular basis. As a result, students are forced to wear the same clothes all year round that can’t keep up with their growing bodies.
Shirt sleeves don’t meet their wrists and pant legs don’t cover their ankles. In some cases, students wear shoes, clothes, or jackets from older siblings or other family members that are much too large.
“Children arrive at school with clothes that are worn, dirty, or don’t fit right.” – School Administrator
It is vital that we keep up with the demand of constantly growing students.
Students lack weather-appropriate clothing from season to season.
In New England, climate changes from day-to-day, making clothing for all seasons critical for students. The winter months bring a surge in need for protection from the cold weather, and many students do not have access to coats, socks, sweaters, boots and even hats, gloves, and scarves to keep them warm.
This is especially true with an overwhelming increase in the number of students coming to the United States from warmer climates. They enter a New England winter with flip-flops, shorts, and t-shirts, and with hardly any means to buy all of the gear needed to keep warm and safe over the winter months.
In the summer, many students don’t have shorts or enough t-shirts to keep clean, dry, and cool in the hot temperatures.
“Catie’s Closet plays an important role in the schools, because many students do not have access to proper fitting or weather appropriate clothing which is vital for their success.” – School Administrator
Without proper attire, students are more likely to miss school.
When children do not have clothing that is appropriate for the current climate and fits correctly, they lose the motivation to attend school or apply themselves fully in class.
They may feel like they don’t fit in and fear being singled out by their peers, experience bullying, struggle to focus, or they simply feel uncomfortable.
In many cases during winter, students do not have appropriate winter clothing to make it to school safely in the cold and/or snow, so they do not attend at all.
Our focus is to ensure that students have access to weather-appropriate clothing during every season of the year. When they have these items at their disposal, in an immediate and discrete manner, they worry less about the burdens of poverty, focus more on school and enjoy the fun a new season can bring.
How can you help?
Visit our Amazon Wish List to give students in poverty new clothing and other essentials they desperately need.
Another easy way to give students access to clothes they need for every season is to go through your own children’s closet and donate clothing they no longer wear. You can learn more about what we accept and the type of clothing kids and teens feel proud to wear here.
Donations can be dropped off at either one of our Distribution Centers in Boston, Dracut or Springfield.
You can also host a drive to encourage your family and friends to clean out their own closets.
