Combatting Clothing and Hygiene Insecurity in Boston and MetroWest Schools
Nearly 20,000 students in Massachusetts public schools experienced homelessness during the 2020-2021 academic year. In Boston Public Schools alone, 4,000 students experience homelessness every year.
Students experiencing homelessness are chronically absent from school at rates at least 2-3 times higher than their stably housed peers - due, in part, to clothing and hygiene insecurity. Students without access to seasonally appropriate, well-fitting clothing and hygiene essentials like soap, shampoo, and period products, are more likely to miss school. Children experiencing homelessness are also sick twice as often as their peers and have higher rates of mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
Circle of Hope helps students experiencing homelessness in Boston and MetroWest stay healthy and attend school with confidence and dignity by providing them with new and like-new clothing, winter gear, shoes, and hygiene essentials. These vital supplies ensure that students can get to and from school safely, maintain personal hygiene to reduce their risk of viral and bacterial infections, and stay comfortable and confident throughout their day. By providing these essentials, we’re also helping lighten the mental load for thousands of parents experiencing homelessness by helping them meet these basic needs for their children.
“My goal has always been to be a wonderful role model for my daughter by being able to provide the basic necessities of life,” said Camille Fenton, a former resident of Project Hope Family Shelter. “When my daughter comes up to me and tells me that her shoes are too tight or that her coat isn’t keeping her warm, I am instantly faced with a dilemma. Do I take the $20 I had budgeted towards her coat or do I buy these $16.99 shoes? With the help of Circle of Hope, I didn’t have to make those tough decisions.”
Your donations to Circle of Hope help students stay physically and mentally healthy, reduce rates of chronic absenteeism, and dismantle the barriers to education faced by children experiencing homelessness. You can help thousands of children stay healthy and learn comfortably:
Donate your child’s outgrown clothing in excellent condition. Visit our website to view our complete donation guidelines or schedule your donation drop-off appointment.
Shop for a full outfit (shirt, pants, underwear, socks) for a child who is the same size as your own child (or any size!). Schedule an appointment to drop off your donations or ship them directly to Circle of Hope at 1329 Highland Ave. Needham, MA 02492.
Run a fall or winter collection drive to gather hygiene products, socks and underwear, winter accessories, or other much-needed items for children experiencing homelessness. View our Collection Drive Guide for help getting started.
Join our Go-To Crew to receive email alerts about urgent donation needs.
Your generosity has the power to change a child’s life. Together, we can help students experiencing homelessness stay healthy and stay in school.
