Care to Learn Closets in Action
When a student needs help, they shouldn’t have to wait.
Across Springfield Public Schools, 54 Care to Learn Closets are stocked and ready to meet students’ immediate health, hunger, and hygiene needs.
From clean clothing and personal care products to shelf-stable food and other everyday essentials, these on-site resources help remove barriers to learning so students can feel confident, comfortable, and ready for the school day.
While every Closet looks a little different, each is thoughtfully organized by school staff to meet the unique needs of their students.
Recently, the Care to Learn team had the opportunity to visit six schools and see these incredible spaces in action. Take a peek inside!
A Look Inside Care to Learn Closets
1. Pipkin Middle School
Pipkin Middle School’s brand-new Care to Learn Closet is an impressive example of what it means to be ready. The space is intentionally designed and fully stocked with brand-new clothing, coats, shoes, and hygiene essentials, all organized for quick and easy access.
Connected to the nurse’s office and a nearby space offering grab-and-go food, this Closet makes it easy for staff to respond to students’ needs. One particularly special feature? A brand-new washer and dryer, also funded by Care to Learn, providing another way to ensure students have access to clean clothing when they need it most.
2. Reed Academy
Reed Academy’s Care to Learn Closet has it all! With neatly organized clothing, everyday essentials, and even refrigerated food items, this space offers a welcoming environment where students can get what they need.
Beyond the Closet itself, staff have created a clever system of snack boxes that are regularly restocked in every classroom, ensuring food is always within reach for students who need a little extra support throughout the school day.
3. David Harrison Elementary
At David Harrison Elementary, the Care to Learn Closet is stocked with essentials specifically selected for younger students. From brightly colored, brand-new clothing to everyday necessities, the space is organized to help staff quickly find just the right item for a child in need.
It’s a wonderful reminder that something as simple as a clean change of clothes can make a big difference in a student’s day.
4. Jarrett Middle School
Jarrett Middle School’s Care to Learn Closet is a shining example of thoughtful organization. Cabinets are stocked with toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, and ready-to-go hygiene kits, making it easy for staff to provide support at a moment’s notice.
The school nurse has even created a dedicated hygiene station in the restroom to help students discreetly access essentials when unexpected needs arise.
One of the biggest needs at Jarrett? Clothing. Fortunately, the team keeps plenty of brand-new options on hand so students can get what they need and return to class with confidence.
5. Bissett Elementary
Bissett Elementary proves that you don’t need a large space to make a big difference! While the school is currently in a temporary location as it prepares for its permanent home, its Care to Learn Closet is thoughtfully organized to make every inch count.
From grab-and-go snacks to warm clothing for chilly days, every shelf and storage space serves a purpose. It’s a wonderful example of how school staff make the most of available resources to ensure students never go without the essentials.
6. Hillcrest High School
At Hillcrest High School, the Care to Learn Closet is stocked with a wide variety of essentials designed to support older students.
From feminine hygiene products and individual toothbrushes to toothpaste, ready-to-use hygiene kits, and shelf-stable groceries, the space is organized with accessibility and discretion in mind.
Whether a student needs a quick hygiene essential or food to take home, this Closet helps ensure support is available when it’s needed most.
Ready When They Need It
Six schools. Six unique spaces. One shared purpose: making sure students have what they need, when they need it.
Behind every stocked shelf, organized cabinet, and thoughtfully prepared hygiene kit is a dedicated school staff member ready to help a student overcome a barrier to learning.
And behind those resources is a community of supporters who make it all possible.
As student needs continue to grow, keeping Care to Learn Closets stocked and ready is more important than ever.
You can help keep these Closets ready. Your generosity provides the everyday essentials that make an extraordinary difference for local students, one need at a time.
HELP KEEP CARE TO LEARN CLOSETS STOCKED
