District 202 community members came together on November 6 and donated dozens of winter items for the upcoming Holiday Care Closet event.
The district’s goal is to ensure that every child in the community has access to necessary winter gear as temperatures drop.
The Care Closet was established earlier this year to help District 202 families who may need items such as clothing or school supplies. The first free shopping event was held in August.
District 202 students, staff, the CAPE organization, and community members donated an impressive array of winter essentials, including jeans, pants, shoes, winter clothes, jackets, school spirit wear, snow pants, winter boots, and dress clothes.
The Care Closet not only serves the community but also provides significant vocational benefits for District 202’s Post Secondary Transition and Education Program or P-STEP students and our Functional Based Instruction students at Plainfield South and East high schools.
District 202 is dedicated to delivering Pre-Employment Transition Services or Pre-ETS to students with disabilities, and the Care Closet has become a valuable resource in this effort.
Through work-based learning experiences, workplace readiness training — focusing on communication and teamwork skills — and self-advocacy instruction, students are empowered to advocate for support and gain essential skills for future employment.
Additionally, this initiative allows students to assume leadership roles and fosters an understanding of the importance of active community participation.
“The November 6 donation drive is a testament to the power of community,” said Christina Edwards, Director of Health Services for District 202. “We’re deeply grateful to everyone who contributed and helped ensure that Plainfield families have the clothing they need to stay warm this winter.”
The upcoming Holiday Care Closet event allows families in need to “shop” for winter essentials for free. Families who may benefit from this program are encouraged to reach out to their child’s school social worker for more details and to participate in this vital resource.
