Community Partner Spotlight: Katelynn’s Closet
June 17, 2024
At Children’s Cove we serve children from 0-17 years old, and families of all backgrounds, cultures and socioeconomics. Regardless of circumstances before being seen at Children’s Cove, a child and non-offending family’s needs can change dramatically afterwards. Our Family Services program is here to provide information or referrals to community resources and assistance. This could be as simple as a phone call to tell a family where to go or to provide hands-on assistance in completing an application for assistance. Sometimes the most seemingly simple need is the most important and impactful. One of our most called upon and supportive community partners is Katelynn’s Closet.
Katelynn’s Closet serves children on the Cape & Islands who are from 4–18 years old and in need of comfortable, current, in-season and clean clothing. At the call of social workers, school nurses, doctors, police and fire departments an order can be placed based upon the child and their specific needs. To protect the privacy and anonymity of children and families, Katelynn’s Closet uses an individualized distribution system, where partner agencies assess the needs of the child. Afterwards, they place an order with Katelynn’s Closet where they provide the child’s age, size, initials, and any special request items like a winter jacket, swimsuit or footwear. The referring agency then picks up the clothing order at our warehouse and delivers directly to the child in need.
Last year Katelynn’s Closet provided 692 bags of clothing and gift cards to children in need across the region.”
At times, Katelynn’s Closet will provide a gift card for a teenage child, or for a child who wears a size they do not carry. The social worker, or a responsible adult then shops with the child in need. All gift card purchases are tracked to ensure funds are used for the child’s needs. However, given different circumstances, sometimes this type of shopping and personalized time isn’t available for the child, so Katelynn’s Closet will provide gift cards and social workers shop online with their clients, instead of having to go shopping physically. Orders over $50 have free shipping and our gift card amount is $100 so they are able to order the clothing they choose online and have them shipped directly to the client’s home.
Last year Katelynn’s Closet provided more than 900 bags of clothing and gift cards to children in need across the region. Many of those bags were provided to children who were supported by Children’s Cove. We want to ensure we put the spotlight on Katelynn’s closet for the phenomenal work they do and how many children they have supported over the years.
Thank you to the entire team, individuals who volunteer, and those who donate to make Katelynn’s Closet the incredible community partner they are. We are inspired by their dedication, hard work, and how quickly they can pull something together for the families we serve in need.
To learn more or how to support Katelynn’s Closet visit their website here.
Note: All orders for children in need must be placed by an identified partner agency, Katelynn’s Closet does not respond to requests for clothing from family members or the public.
