Post by minx on Jul 21, 2024 12:51:32 GMT -5
James Monroe started a really cool project for their students - the clothing closet.
Started with a PE teacher. She had a student that she liked who missed a lot of school. Pulled the kid aside to ask what the problem was.
Family didn't have money, so they could only afford to do laundry twice a month, and even then could only do a small amount. Kid's clothes were all dirty, and it wasn't laundry day yet. He was too embarrassed to come to school with dirty clothes.
Teacher told him to come back to her in the morning.
She had a backpack with socks, new underwear and some t-shirts. Told him to take it home, and return it with some of his dirty clothes and she would wash them for him.
Word quietly spread, and she was doing laundry for 5 kids.
She realized that it would be hard to do laundry and get supplies for more kids, and that these kids would have the stigma of other students realizing that the PE teacher did their laundry rather than their families. Plus, since they only had the same 5 or clean shirts, kids would also realize that they didn't have money for laundry.
So she started a clothing closet. At first it was only for the kids who had nothing. But one of the honor society students told her that he didn't like that it was only for the poor students. Everyone knew who went to that closet after all.
Honor society got together with her and brainstormed. Would be great if the closet was open to all, but how to prevent it from being emptied by the greedier students.
They decided on a re-cycle closet. You could drop off clothes that you no longer wore, and get something new.
They set up guidelines on what they would accept as a donation and a limit on what you could get from the closet. (it was a limit of one top and bottom per visit - donation of an old outfit not required).
It's now expanded to a large shed (that was built by students) that is open two mornings a week. And it's pretty popular. Teacher said it's not unusual to see student being complemented on something they're wearing with a response of "Thanks! Got it from the closet!"
The next step is getting a washer and dryer - you can sign up for a time to do your laundry.
Proof that one person can make a difference, and that there is a need within schools themselves and student who need volunteer hours could find and fulfill those needs.
Started with a PE teacher. She had a student that she liked who missed a lot of school. Pulled the kid aside to ask what the problem was.
Family didn't have money, so they could only afford to do laundry twice a month, and even then could only do a small amount. Kid's clothes were all dirty, and it wasn't laundry day yet. He was too embarrassed to come to school with dirty clothes.
Teacher told him to come back to her in the morning.
She had a backpack with socks, new underwear and some t-shirts. Told him to take it home, and return it with some of his dirty clothes and she would wash them for him.
Word quietly spread, and she was doing laundry for 5 kids.
She realized that it would be hard to do laundry and get supplies for more kids, and that these kids would have the stigma of other students realizing that the PE teacher did their laundry rather than their families. Plus, since they only had the same 5 or clean shirts, kids would also realize that they didn't have money for laundry.
So she started a clothing closet. At first it was only for the kids who had nothing. But one of the honor society students told her that he didn't like that it was only for the poor students. Everyone knew who went to that closet after all.
Honor society got together with her and brainstormed. Would be great if the closet was open to all, but how to prevent it from being emptied by the greedier students.
They decided on a re-cycle closet. You could drop off clothes that you no longer wore, and get something new.
They set up guidelines on what they would accept as a donation and a limit on what you could get from the closet. (it was a limit of one top and bottom per visit - donation of an old outfit not required).
It's now expanded to a large shed (that was built by students) that is open two mornings a week. And it's pretty popular. Teacher said it's not unusual to see student being complemented on something they're wearing with a response of "Thanks! Got it from the closet!"
The next step is getting a washer and dryer - you can sign up for a time to do your laundry.
Proof that one person can make a difference, and that there is a need within schools themselves and student who need volunteer hours could find and fulfill those needs.
