This school year will be the fourth year The Clothes Closet, a place where students can find free clothing and accessories, has been open at Huntsville High School. The initiative was started by local resident Karen Litchfield. Volunteers Traci McIlroy and Kate Cox helped her run The Clothes Closet last school year.
They had 362 ‘shop’ visits during the 2018/2019 school year and held two events where students, including grade 8 students, could select formal wear for prom and graduation.
They also received more than 25 special requests. If The Clothes Closet doesn’t have an item a student needs, they can make a special request and The Clothes Closet volunteers will go out and buy it for them. Most special requests were for running shoes, winter coats and boots, undergarments such as bras, and hoodies. They also had one request for steel-toed work boots for a co-op placement, which led to employment outside of school for this student.
“We had many generous donations of gently used clothing by several individuals in our community along with monetary donations from some individuals donors, the Ironman 70.3, The Pub on the Docks, and Community Seniors,” said Litchfield.
She also applied for and received a District of Muskoka ‘Pay It Forward Grant’, funds used to purchase special request items and to replentish clothing items that are in high demand.
“We had one shopper, Avery, say the Clothes Closet is her favourite place in the school,” recalled Litchfield. “She said it is a really friendly environment and it is great that she can come shop at her school. Another student, Monica, said that The Clothes Closet not only allows her to shop for items she needs, and it also ‘beats sitting alone at lunch’. We have had students from the LGBTQ community thank us for the opportunity to shop for clothing and not be judged. I had a student make a point to personally thank me for starting the CC, as her family home was victim to a fire and the CC allowed her to replace clothing that she lost in the fire. Teachers have also commented that they have noticed a improved sense of self-confidence in students who have been able to obtain current fashion trends from the CC.”
Studies have shown that students who feel good about themselves also perform better academically, noted Litchfield. “The Clothes Closet is aiming to have all students at HHS feeling good about the clothes they come to school in, and feel confident in themselves so that they can really put their minds into their work. It also helps with social acceptance.”
HHS students can access The Clothes Closet one day per week during their lunch hour or they can make an appointment for a private ’shop’ session. All clothing and accessories in The Clothes Closet are free to students.
The Clothes Closet relies on donations of freshly washed, gently used clothing (no stains, rips, or inappropriate graphics) in current trends suitable for teenagers, as well as monetary donations. Items they are most in need of are: hoodies, new undergarments, new socks, winter hats, coats, boots and mittens.
For more information or to make a clothing or monetary donation, contact Karen Litchfield at 705-788-9698 or [email protected].
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Sandra Rae says
What is the best way to make a donation, and where??
Dawn Huddlestone says
Hi Sandra,
Contact Karen at the phone number or email address listed at the bottom of the story. She can make arrangements for your donation.