Clothing Closet Initiative - Rocket Rack
In the fall of 2016, Family to Family was asked to help the staffs of AC Reynolds Middle and High Schools with their challenge of having clothing on hand for students in emergency situations. Emergencies encompass personal hygiene reasons, clothing that does not meet the dress code, and clothing needed for special situations or for families who truly cannot afford alternatives for appropriate clothing. Other needs surface that run the gamut from specialized clothing for arts, athletic, and specific academic programs, clothing for interviews, and clothing for the Graduation Project (Senior Exit Portfolio program) as well as other requests.
Clothing teens is not easy and even more so for families struggling economically. Students who are already marginalized often feel set apart as they only know “second hand” clothing. It is one thing to choose to go to “Goodwill” but to always have your clothing be less than what is “in” is often demoralizing. Our clothing closet seeks to provide dignity to all our students. Family to Family researched what might be happening in schools across the nation regarding this challenge, and came across the “boutique” or school clothing store concept. Big Picture High School in Burien, Washington is an example we are emulating: http://bit.ly/2spFiA0. Our clothing closet will be housed at the high school which is located across the street from the middle school. Family to Family will partner with high school Special Services students and their teachers to develop the business plan that will provide resources for the counseling staff and administration of both the high school and middle school to meet clothing needs for emergency situations and for use by the student body at large.
September 10, 2017 the Rocket Rack was awarded $1000.00 from the Awesome Foundation - Asheville Chapter. Their Facebook post identifies the clothing store as one of the 4 finalists and summarizes the need for the grant funding.
During the 2017-18 school year the Rocket Rack has made changes in store hours, promotions and inventory based upon feedback from store volunteers and staff.
Link to AC Reynolds High School Rocket Rack page
Clothing teens is not easy and even more so for families struggling economically. Students who are already marginalized often feel set apart as they only know “second hand” clothing. It is one thing to choose to go to “Goodwill” but to always have your clothing be less than what is “in” is often demoralizing. Our clothing closet seeks to provide dignity to all our students. Family to Family researched what might be happening in schools across the nation regarding this challenge, and came across the “boutique” or school clothing store concept. Big Picture High School in Burien, Washington is an example we are emulating: http://bit.ly/2spFiA0. Our clothing closet will be housed at the high school which is located across the street from the middle school. Family to Family will partner with high school Special Services students and their teachers to develop the business plan that will provide resources for the counseling staff and administration of both the high school and middle school to meet clothing needs for emergency situations and for use by the student body at large.
September 10, 2017 the Rocket Rack was awarded $1000.00 from the Awesome Foundation - Asheville Chapter. Their Facebook post identifies the clothing store as one of the 4 finalists and summarizes the need for the grant funding.
During the 2017-18 school year the Rocket Rack has made changes in store hours, promotions and inventory based upon feedback from store volunteers and staff.
Link to AC Reynolds High School Rocket Rack page