‘Care closets’ filling needs
Found at 2 Chicago schools, they’re stocked with clothes, shoes and toiletries, giving students important items — and confidence
At Gale Community Academy in Rogers Park, a small closet in a classroom holds significant meaning.
When students need a pair of leggings, tube of toothpaste or something to wear to the eighth-grade dance, the “care closet” is a safe space to fulfill those needs.
“We’ve had students use the care closet unofficially every day, from just accidents that have happened to students who were going on a field trip and wanted to wear something nicer,” said Sheila Williams, resource coordinator at Gale Community Academy.
The closet, currently located in a tiny corner in Williams’ classroom, was born out of a 2019 student survey that probed which issues most impacted the student experience at Gale.
Bullying was at the top of the list, Williams said. And when administrators dug deeper into why students were being bullied, many said it was because of their clothing, hair or shoes.
“Then we went even deeper: Why are they getting bullied for their hair or clothes?” Williams said. “One of the students said, ‘I’m homeless. I’m living with an aunt, and my mom doesn’t have a lot of money.’ ”
The K-8 Chicago Public Schools facility is in a high-need area, and some parents and guardians simply cannot afford new clothing for their kids, said Williams, and it’s when other students highlight the struggles of their peers that things become even more sensitive.
“The care closet has prevented students from being bullied for their hygiene,” said seventh grader Rayana Ward, a member of the Student Voice Committee. “Students get their basic needs met even if they are having a tough time at home.”
Eighth grader Mikaila Brown said the student experience has improved since the care closet was initiated.
“Students have more confidence when coming to school if they don’t have to worry about what to wear,” she said.
The Student Voice Committee sent an email listing items they are collecting — things such as deodorant, soap, shampoo, ChapStick, lotion, perfume, cologne, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, Band-Aids and tampons.
“Face and body towels and body sponges are needed for those of us who need those items to take showers and baths,” the committee said in the email.
In terms of clothing, the students are hoping to replenish the care closet’s supply of long-sleeve shirts and T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, sweaters, sports bras, tank tops, business casual wear, ties, dresses, belts, dress shoes, sandals, blouses, underwear, socks, shorts, sweatpants, gym shoes and winter weather essentials such as gloves and hats.
An early iteration of the care closet in 2019 was a student-organized drive for the most-needed items. It has since evolved into a dedicated space for students to use every day. Now its slated for another face-lift.
Gale will soon unveil a space called the “Collaboratory,” which includes a new, much larger closet with ample shelving.
The area will include a Cricut machine for craft projects, a Glowforge for digital creation, and a “Zen dome,” a calming space — all part of one big project to bring science, technology, engineering, arts and math learning to the forefront.
The three-room space has been a work in progress for a few years, championed by Val Buchanan, assistant director of leadership development and community engagement at Northwestern University; Jed Shasteen, director of acquisition integration and delivery readiness at Cisco Technologies; and Williams.
The project was funded by donations from Buchanan, Shasteen and the organizations Even You Nonprofit and Gale Grows Kids.
By attaching the new care closet to the Collaboratory, students can more freely make trips to the closet without worrying about who’s watching, Williams said.
“Most people are going to assume students are going to use the space,” she said. “This is where we have a 3D printer, a laser engraver, a heat press — so students will assume, ‘Hey they’re going to the makers space,’ not necessarily the care closet.”
Williams said the plan is to open the new care closet by Jan. 30 and the Collaboratory by April 10.
Every year since 2019 the staff at Gale built on the concept to make the closet a little bit bigger and farther reaching so students and parents could take advantage of it. Williams said parents can email her directly at swilliams354@cps.edu with what they need.
Williams and other staff members make sure it’s a discreet operation.
“The whole concept was bullying, right? We know that sometimes if a student is aware of what someone else is going through, that can also be a cause for bullying,” Williams said. “We try to minimize anyone knowing why a student uses the care closet.”
Students are asked to fill out a Google form on their computers or simply tell an adult what they need during the school day, and a teacher will accompany them to the care closet to pick out items that are given at the end of the day.
Mays Academy in Englewood, a K-8 school that is part of CPS, has a similar concept with its community care closet, said Principal Tanyelle Hannah.
Hannah said it’s not just about the physical closet or items but also the attentiveness required to make sure students are not without necessities. Because kids might not feel comfortable telling someone they need something, Hannah said adults in the building are always paying attention. Lately, they’ve been seeing a lot of kids wearing hoodies as opposed to a winter coat.
“The clerks are on the lookout and they see everybody as they come into the main office,” Hannah said. “Security is on the lookout as they see everyone come through the main entrance.
“Teachers and supporting educators are also looking. We try to ensure that we have touched every scholar.”
While Mays Academy has had a system in place for several years to provide for students, actual closet space was dedicated two years ago to help students, parents and community members with supplemental things.
“Whether that’s school supplies or hats and boots, we try to provide the basic necessities here at the school so that’s not necessarily a reason why scholars don’t show up to class,” Hannah said.
Staff members at Mays Academy often use school events such as an assembly or report-card pickup to set out items in designated places so families can take them without having to ask.
Hannah said they are still collecting items for winter, but all clothing must be new. Winter accessories and snow boots are needed.
“Because we are a neighborhood school, scholars walk to school,” Hannah said, and some often do so without the right gear.
“We have some key players that ensure that our scholars have what they need, especially our security . ... It takes a village for all of our babies to have what they need.”
Donations for Mays Academy can be dropped off at 6656 S. Normal Ave. from 7:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m. weekdays.
Donations for Gale Community Academy can be dropped off at Door 1 at 7650 N. Marshfield Ave. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.