The Student Closet is fairly new to the campus and offers free clothing and essentials for those who are struggling. Students can visit the closet in room 47 run by Ms. Jazmin Landeros, Wellness Counselor for those in need.
The closet is a valuable resource for students who may have accidents during the day or who are struggling to afford personal items, especially with the growing population of homeless students. This operation makes sure that no one is without basic necessities at this high school, while promoting kindness and inclusion on campus.
Landeros said, “Just letting them know there are these options here in case they need stuff is good because it is an increasing population.”
The closet is open to everyone interested, from students to parents and families. Landeros hopes to move the closet into a larger classroom in the future to store many more items for the students.
Landeros, who also serves as the homeless and foster youth liaison was inspired by similar programs at larger high schools she saw during her graduate studies. She began the closet as soon as she became a counselor at this school, despite the challenges brought by managing it on her own.
All items of the closet are donated, with donations made by teachers, churches, and the whole community. The closet has received many donations and more are welcome. New or lightly used clothing as well as neutral items ensure that there is something for everyone looking into the closet.
Items such as clothing, shoes, jewelry, hygiene essentials, and more are available to students and to those visiting the closet. All items are donations, given to anyone who needs them from people all over the school and town.
Used items which don’t meet the closet’s standards are given to other charity drives or organizations which also support the homeless. Landeros also brings some of these used items to the city’s trails, directly leaving them for the homeless.
Students are not required to pay for any items taken from the closet, which are available all year round. Students can visit the closet by requesting with Landeros to access it during the day or during lunch breaks. The classroom is open to visit during any day of the week, but is kept locked for Landeros’ counseling students and their confidentiality.
Anyone interested in donating items can drop them off at the school’s front gate, informing security or custodial staff they are donations for the student closet. Students and staff are all welcome to volunteer their time to help Landeros maintain the program.
For those with questions about the student closet, you can contact Ms. Landeros through her email: [email protected] or room extension number: 1247.
