Catie's Closet 2022 Annual Report

Give Clothes, Give Confidence.

A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

at accomplishment starts with a vision and ends as a journey the accomplishment that is 2022, we are so or all of the individuals and organizations that made such a w le.

e started the year still reeling from the impacts of the pandemic. New variants seeped their way deeper into our lives while we tempted to get back to the normal we once knew As we continued into the year, we were met with inflation rising at a record rate, sulting in higher costs in nearly all areas of our lives. This not only impacted you, our beloved supporter, but it also impacted the way e operate as an organization.

e are so pleased to say that despite these challenges, we received a record number of in-kind donations. With your help, we opened schools in 2022, reaching an additional 10,000 students This brings our total to 120 closets serving 80,000 students We also fulfilled 400 requests via our SOS Program, which provides basic necessities to displaced children receiving support from our social service rtners.

Now, as we continue into this new year, we look forward to more opportunities to serve children in our community, granting them hope times of despair, relief in times of struggle, and confidence in times of uncertainty Our young children’s material needs are verwhelming families as their clothes fail to keep up with their growing bodies, due to age as well as an obesity crisis. More children e turning to Catie’s Closet to meet their clothing needs every day. Teens are currently experiencing a significant increase in anxiety, oor self image and mental and emotional trauma. Catie’s Closet gives them a chance to build positive relationships and celebrate hat makes them perfectly designed.

ou, as our partner, enable us to be there for our students no matter what they face, and empower today’s youth to achieve a brighter ture. You help disrupt the cycle of poverty. Thank you for being part of our journey as we work to achieve our main vision: for every hild to have access to the essentials that foster physical, emotional, and mental well-being

ou believe in our work and our impact in the community, and that means more than we can ever describe. We look forward to ontinuing this story with you.

ncerely,

ickey Cockrell EO / Co-Founder

Anne-Marie Sousa Board President & Founder The Arbors at Dracut

Laura Bisson Co-Founder UnitedHealth Group

Lynne Baril Co-Founder Circle Health

Rebecca Gilding State Street

Melissa Herman Login VSI Alvaro Jose Doyle Vicor Corporation Katie Belanger, CPA AAFCPAs, Inc

Robin Seldman Morgan Stanley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

IN-SCHOOL CLOSETS

Specially designed to feel like small boutiques, filled with age appropriate, fashionable items. School staff members discreetly invite students to visit the closet during regular school hours and “shop” for what they need. There is no limit to the number of items students can take or the number of times they can visit

SPECIAL ORDER SYSTEM (SOS)

We have established strong relationships with 25 local social service agencies serving at-risk children We support these partners by answering requests for “Special Orders” and creating packages of clothing and toiletries for thousands of children with immediate and/or emergency needs. This initiative also supports students in schools that do not meet the threshold for an in-school closet. When a child is displaced for any reason, our partners can reach us via an online portal and we coordinate what these children need to get them back on their feet and to school quickly.

BACK ON THE BUS

This program grants 1,000 Lowell students bus transportation to school each year so they can get to school safely and successfully.

BRIDGE TO BASICS

We provide partner organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs and CTI, with socks, underwear, toiletries and school supplies for students without access to our in-school program. On average, we support approximately 1,500 youth.

MILL MARKET FOOD PROGRAM

In collaboration with the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, this program combats food insecurity for an estimated 3,000 Lowell students in grades 1-12.

MISSION VISION

Catie’s Closet improves school attendance and graduation rates, as well as the mental, emotional, and physical health of students facing poverty, homelessness, and other crises by providing free, in-school access to clothing and basic necessities and uniting with community partners to meet students’ other immediate needs

OUR 2022 ACHIEVEMENTS

CHANGING LIVES ONE STUDENT AT A TIME.

For every child to have access to the essentials they need to achieve physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

YOUR LONG-TERM IMPACT

Your investment in our youth today has an invaluable impact on our entire communities tomorrow.

CLOSETS ADDED

ADDITIONAL STUDENTS SERVED

$6m 5k+

ITEMS RECEIVED 16 10k

EMERGENCY ORDERS FULFILLED

Some students arrive in our halls and classrooms solely because of Catie’s Closet. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Students have come to me first thing in the morning (long before classes begin) asking to visit Catie’s Closet (smelling of the street) and return looking fresh, and visibly changed in their posture. I am certain that they may not have arrived if Catie’s Closet was not available to them.

By supporting Catie’s Closet, you help kids see a future beyond their difficult circumstances, provide them with resources to attend school with dignity and confidence, and give them courage to go after their dreams. You plant little seeds of hope that bloom into futures filled with possibilities and relief.

You help students of Catie’s Closet focus on their education, become contributing members of society and make their own positive impact in the world.

In allowing Catie's Closet to remain a constant resource for children in need, you remind them that there are caring people who believe in them and want to help them succeed.

Your impact lives on in the lives you change

OUR IN-SCHOOL APPROACH

SENSITIVE, IMMEDIATE, AND DISCREET

Students are introduced to Catie’s Closet by their guidance counselors, school nurses or social workers. They visit the closet privately during school hours and select up-to-date clothes that reflect their own style.

WIDE OFFERING OF BASICS

For youth, self-esteem and peer acceptance are closely tied to looking and feeling clean. Catie’s Closet provides basic necessities such as toiletries and undergarments to boost their confidence. In addition, we offer shoes, backpacks, and even bus passes and grocery cards.

CONVERSATIONS WITH TRUSTED ADULTS

Many students in our schools do not feel comfortable opening up to others about their experiences and struggles. Our Closets offer a private, welcoming and comfortable place students can turn to when they need a listening ear and caring heart.

CONNECTION TO OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES

We work closely with several social service agency partners. Our relationships allow us to help students beyond our Closets. This fills in any service gap students experience so they truly receive help in every area they need.

"Taking students into a closet can also be an opportunity to connect and learn more about their experiences, challenges and struggles as young people. You never know what they're going to share or what they're going through."

- School Counselor, BCLA-McCormack Lower School

SUCCESS STORIES FROM OUR CLOSETS

“I see first hand the magic you bring to children. I see eyes wideopened! Words can never express the miracle of Catie's Closet.”

- Nancy Humphrey, Homeless Liaison of

Lowell

Public Schools

"Our closet gets used every single day...the impact that it has on individual children is life changing! Children arrive to school with clothes that are worn, dirty or don't fit right. A trip to Catie's Closet and a quick change of clothing can turn a child's day completely around. I have witnessed children walk in with their head down and leave skipping down the hallway thanks to their new clothes from Catie's Closet. Parents are often brought to tears when we inform them that we have this wonderful resource and can provide them with clothing for their children discreetly and free of charge."

- School Partner

Today, I took Henri* to the closet. We walked smiling at each other because he spoke Creole. We visited the closet because he said his feet hurt. However, his shoes were only a thumb size past his big toe. So, I asked if it was the socks, and he motioned that I was right I showed him the boys basket of socks and he selected black with a green strip. Awesome, right? No, he slowly slid his foot across the floor and shook his head, "No."

We tried pair after pair, all of which were just not right.

Then, I saw neon green socks in a pack of six socks. I looked at the seam and it was practically seamless, and I was hopeful. I said, "Let's try the green one" He shook his head, "Yes" I slipped one on his foot and he slowly put his foot on the floor, sliding it forward He shouted, "Yeah!!!"

We both put our hands in the air in victory! We put on the other sock in our joy, I said, "Let's give you more colors since we know you like these," and his smile said it all. These are the moments I have to live for.

Thank you, Catie!

- Lori Thames, Guidance Counselor, Mather Elementary

“Thank you, Catie's Closet, for all you do to help our youth gain the confidence they need to go to school.”

- Kim McLean, Local Business Owner & Volunteer

"There’s a very happy 7th grader who is wearing new sneakers at Parthum today. She’s mostly non verbal, but repeatedly said “Thank you!” with a huge smile on her face, followed by fist bumps. This is the first time we’ve witnessed such joy first hand at one of Catie’s Closets. Just so uplifting!"

- Patty & Mike, Closet Champions

"Ruby* received the gift of clothes and what a huge blessing it was! I wasn’t expecting it to be delivered and to be everything I had asked for. She was so excited for the nice teal fleece sweater because it was her favorite color. It met a huge need and made her feel special to receive clothes picked out for her. Thank you so much!"

- Stacey, ENCOMPASS Program Participant

*Names of students have been changed to maintain anonymity*

2022 FUNDRAISERS & SPECIAL EVENTS

From offsetting the cost of purchasing basic necessities and uniforms, opening and maintaining our in-school Closets, and helping our program and organization expand further across the region, your support and participation is critical to our mission and our growth.

FIRST ANNUAL FIELD TRIP FUNDRAISER

This field trip event was our biggest fundraiser of 2022 and a unique “behindthe-door-look” of our organization at our Dracut Distribution Center. Attendees learned about the issues our students face and how Catie's Closet is supporting them. The event was a major success. Thanks to our sponsors and attendees, we raised over $110,000!

SEVENTH ANNUAL FILL THE BUS

Our back-to-school initiative exceeded our expectations! Thanks to more than 100 participants in our Every Step of the Way Virtual 5K, our corporate partners, who hosted over 45 drives, and financial sponsorships, we received over 68,000 items and purchased over 652 pairs of sneakers! These items gave our students a strong start to the school year.

END OF YEAR GIVING

As the year winded down, our work ramped up! End-of-year support came in strong with financial contributions during our Annual Appeal and Giving Tuesday, as well as Giving Drives, Gift Card Drives, and corporate engagement events. We received $50,000 in monetary donations and purchased $600 in gift cards to support students' food needs during winter break.

"I always heard great things about Catie’s Closet, but when I went to volunteer at the Dracut facility last year, I was blown away. The self-esteem and smiles this program brings to school kids of all ages is phenomenal! I can’t wait to get back to help."

- Karyn Ratte, Local Volunteer

CIRCLE OF CHANGE

OUR CIRCLE OF CHANGE PARTNERS ARE COMMITTED TO CREATING A WORLD OF TOLERANCE AND UNDERSTANDING.

We believe in the power of choice and the freedom to decide how you want to live your life based on your own dreams. You have the ability to build yourself up from your strengths and create positive change in your life and in the lives of others.

At Catie’s Closet, we start with the youngest members of our communities who will go on to shape the future of our whole world by giving them the tools and resources they need to celebrate what makes them unique and express themselves, unapologetically.

Be Me® incites a new way of life where self-love isn’t impossible to attain. Instead, it’s a state of living we can all attain together.

One World Boston, Inc.

Jack Satter Foundation Anonymous

Beveridge Foundation

Amelia Peabody Charitable Trust

Sarah & James Rollins Trust

The Davis Foundation

Mabel Louise Riley Foundation

Adobe Foundation

Theodore Parker Foundation

Rands Foundation

Rogers Family Foundation

Russell Foundation

Horace Moses Foundation

IBM Club

Bushrod Campbell

OURPARTNERSANDDONORS

INDIVIDUALS CONT'D...

Karen Otto

Ruth Otto

Kimberly Ouellette

Mr. & Mrs. Chad Owen

Deniz Ozaslan

Brenda Pachucki

Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Page

Thomas Panagoulias

Cynthia Paolillo

Denise Pappas

Anne Paquin

Laura Pargas

Patricia Parnell

Mr. & Mrs. Roger Patkin

Lea Paul

Corinne Payette-Raftery

Jodie Payette

Mr & Mrs Mike Payette

Winnie Pead

Patricia Pearson

Carolyn Pelletier

Patricia Pelosi

Denise Perrin

Mr. & Mrs. David Perry

Stephen Perry

John Perveiler

Mr. & Mrs. Karl Pessinis

Amy Phelan

Don Piche

Robert Pickett

Mr & Mrs Pa Pierce

Valentino Pimentel

Lisa Pino

Mr & Mrs Jack Porell

Mr. & Mrs. David Powers

Debra Preston

Joseph Princi

Jeffrey Provost

Meg Quinlan

Ken Ralff

Elyse Rast

Molly Rawding

Katherine Rebello

Carol Redmond

Eleanor Reich

Mr. & Mrs. Nick Rencricca

Chantal Rice

Dot Richards

Jessica Ridlen

Katie Riker

Jennifer Ritter

Jason Rives

Carey Roberto

Beth Ann Roberts

Mark DeMello & Diane Robinson

Beverly Robitaille

Gary Robinaugh

Michael Robinaugh

Susan Rogers

Christopher Rose

Lynne Rose

Pauline Rose

Michael Rosenthal

Barbara Rowe

Wendy Roy

Kristen Russell

Andrea Samra

Kathleen Sanborn

Candie Sanderson

Elizabeth Scarchilli

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Schneider

Judith Schickedanz

Allison Schnipper

Steve Seaforth

Stacy Seide

Alan Seidman

Mr. & Mrs. Robin Seidman

Ben Siegal

Rosanna Selvage

Leah Shabouk

Sue Shaw

Tate Shibles

Bruce Shick

Mr. & Mrs. David Sidon

Mr & Mrs Joe Silk

Sue Silk

Mr & Mrs William Silk

Jessica Silva

Katherine Simmons

Suzanne Slattery

Callie Slocum and Friends

Dorothy Smith

London Smith

Mary Smith

Rachel Smith

Steven Smith

Kevin Smithwood

Christine Smolinsky

Janine Sniezek

Robert Snover & Darcy Davidson

Mr & Mrs Helmut Snyder

Sharon Sodergren

Lynn Sommer

Mr & Mrs John Sorota

Mr. & Mrs. Will Soucy

Mr. & Mrs. Brendan Sousa

Mr & Mrs Brian Sousa

Soula Spaziani

Mr & Mrs Paul St Onge

Mr. & Mrs. Craig Standish

Sherry Starkey

Nicole Ste Croix

Nicole Stenclik

Christopher Stokes

Charles Stromeyer

Audrey Strough

Kat Strzempek

Kay Sullivan

Megan Surrette

Judith Swift

Liliane Sznycer

Mr & Mrs Edward Talbot

Frank Talty

Abner Taub

Ann Taylor

Jean Tempel

Debra Tempesta

Tara Tempesta

Lisa Tenczar

Sylvia Tepper

Claire Tetrault

Amy Tetreault

David Theriault

Christine Thibodeau

Mr. & Mrs. Gary Thomas

Maureen Thomas

Michele Thyne

Karen Tirozzi

Tonneson & Co

Evan Torlin

Mr & Mrs Gabriel Torres

Jasmine Tullis

Susan Turgeon

Barbara Tyler

Michael Underwood

Ruth Unger

Olivia Van Dyke

Lisa Van Thiel

Poornima Varadarajan

Lily Vautour

Mr & Mrs Richard Verzone

Lauren Wallace

Gig Walsh

Mr & Mrs Jeffrey Walthall

Ushnah Wasif

Eve Weber

Mr. & Mrs. George Weis

Bethany Welch

Helene Welch

Martha Werler

Mary Wesley

Sarah Wharton

Bernadette Wheeler

Gladys White

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph White

Suzanne Whitman

Gary Wing

Gwen Wiscount

Jodi Wolin

Donna Woodcome

Corinne Woodworth

Laura Wright

John Yaecker

Olga Yasinnik

Lorelle Yee

Susan Yfantopulos

John Yirrell

Mr & Mrs Robert Zanzerkia

Marc Zwetchkenbaum

SCAN TO MAKE A GIFT OR LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF YOUR DONATION

SUPPORT & REVENUE

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

Your annual support helps us continue our work throughout the upcoming year, empowering our team with the inventory and tools we need to fulfill orders and stock our Closets, as well as open our door to more schools in need. Every dollar gives confidence to our local children, and we cannot understate the magnitude of our gratitude.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Our fundraising events throughout the year help support our programming and initiatives to make the Catie's Closet experience magical and transformative for the children we serve within our schools and throughout the community. We could not do this without your participation and support from our event sponsors.

CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION SUPPORT

We are always overwhelmed by the passion and the motivation of companies and foundations looking to support the children in their local communities. We especially thank our Circle of Change partners for their commitment to transforming lives and providing a brighter future to children in need.

IN-KIND DONATIONS

Through donation drop-offs, corporate and community drives, and incredible support for our Amazon Wish Lists, your in-kind support fills our Closets and allows us to continue as a front-line resource for students in need.

Howweuseyourfunds of every dollar spent is used for direct services

90%

Thank you for supporting Catie's Closet in 2022. Your commitment to helping children in need truly makes an impact throughout the communities we serve. You are the reason students in poverty can succeed in school.