The Care Closet at Central High
Students help organize food at the Care Closet.
At CISTN, we know students can’t fully focus on learning if their basic needs aren’t met. That belief is what sparked the creation of the Care Closet at Central High School: an effort that started small and has grown into a dependable, student-centered resource that helps remove everyday barriers to learning.
Central High’s CISTN program manager, Ms. Rachel, created the Care Closet to ensure that students have quick, easy access to essentials like clothing, hygiene products, and school supplies. Through Rachel’s intentional planning and teamwork with partners, the Care Closet has grown into an organized and responsive support that reflects CIS’s whole-child approach.
Items are now sorted by category, size, season, and condition, which helps students find what they need without feeling overwhelmed. A simple referral process (available to staff through an easy-to-scan QR code) makes it easy for students to get support quickly, privately, and with dignity.
The Care Closet’s impact goes far beyond the items on the shelves. “Students who once struggled to come to school because they lacked appropriate clothing or hygiene supplies are now showing up more consistently and with greater confidence,” Rachel said. “Teachers and staff have noticed fewer classroom disruptions tied to unmet basic needs and stronger connections between students and trusted adults.”
“Just as importantly, the Care Closet has helped make asking for help feel normal,” she added. “By making the resource visible and easy to access, students can get what they need without stigma—often before small challenges turn into bigger obstacles.”
Rachel emphasizes that the success of the Care Closet wouldn’t be possible without the support of school staff, community partners, and CIS resources. Donations are carefully organized, inventory gaps are tracked, and data helps guide what’s needed next so the Care Closet can continue to grow in a sustainable way.
Rachel’s future plans include training students and staff on inventory systems, reviewing processes for efficiency, and building new partnerships to meet seasonal and emerging needs. “The goal isn’t just to keep the Care Closet running—it’s to keep strengthening it as a reliable support for student success,” she said. “At Central High School, the Care Closet is a clear reminder that when students feel cared for and supported, they’re better able to show up, engage, and succeed.”
All the clothes are now sorted and categorized for easy searching.