The Compass

The Compass

Proud Moment – Catie’s Closet Opens at Beech Street Elementary School

Written by Lauren Boisvert

A new Catie’s Closet has officially opened its doors at Beech Street Elementary School, thanks to the incredible generosity of Elliot Hospital Systems. Mayor Jay Ruais, Executive Councilor John Stephens, Superintendent, Jennifer Chmiel, and members of the Manchester Board of School Committee joined students, staff, and community partners to celebrate the launch of this important resource.

About Catie’s Closet:
Catie’s Closet is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting low-income children through two essential programs:

  • The In-School Closet Program establishes free “stores” within schools, ensuring that students can easily access clothing, toiletries, and other necessities on demand. This breaks down barriers to attendance and academic success.
  • The SOS Urgent Response Program provides immediate support for children experiencing crises, such as homelessness, foster care transitions, fires, or other emergencies, ensuring that every child has what they need to continue learning and thriving.

With the opening of the closet at Beech Street Elementary, students now have access to critical resources that can make all the difference in their day-to-day lives which .

We’re grateful for the commitment of Elliot Hospital Systems, our community leaders, and all who are working together to help our children thrive.

You can read an earlier Proud Moment from Manchester Proud, highlighting Catie’s Closet at Central High School here: Proud Moment: Catie’s Closet at Central High School.

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The power of building and tending to community partnerships is a multiplier, expanding our collective knowledge, expertise, experience, capacity, resources, opportunity, and commitment to our common goal of excellence and equity for all learners. The old saying that, “Two heads are better than one”, certainly applies to our work, and we are so very fortunate to have many, many heads contributing to the success of our District.