According to Nonprofit Quarterly .org, about 2 out of every 5 children in America face some kind of clothing instability. This instability has also been shown to be a confounding factor with a lack of personal hygiene options (ex: deodorant, soap, etc.).
The Leyden Locker aims to help eradicate these issues within East Leyden. This program is a fairly new initiative where students can obtain necessary items for them and their families totally free of charge. These resources range from clothing items to personal hygiene supplies.
Tarah Bishop, a Tapestry advocate at East Leyden says, “Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and supported at school. This program helps make sure that students who need essentials can get them without stress or stigma.” With class always being a heavy topic on the mind of many students having to worry about as Ms. Bishop says “essentials” is a whole new can of worms. Ms. Bishop goes on to state, “ If we don’t have a specific item, we can always connect students to local community resources so they can get the support they need.” This support is now welcomed more than ever as according to the American Psychological Association almost 2 out of every 5 high school students don’t get the necessary support throughout their everyday life.
Miriam Luna, a counselor at Leyden and fellow Leyden Locker coordinator, echoes a similar viewpoint in the words, “It is important to have items available to any student that might need it. If a family or student is going through a hard time and we can provide some help with clothing or some supplies, being able to provide that is important. Especially with the colder weather coming, if a student needs a jacket for example, they can come take a look and grab anything they want or need.” With the holiday season coming temperatures are dropping and snowfall is on the rise. Leyden administration urges anyone who doesn’t have the proper attire for the winter season to stop by the Leyden Locker.
Some may be wondering how to properly access these resources. Ms. Luna commented on this by saying, “There should be a staff member accompanying the student when accessing it. If there are any questions, just reach out to myself or any of the Tapestry advocates. We would be happy to help you get in there to grab any items you might need!” If unaware the tapestry advocates at Leyden are Ms. Emily Adams, Ms. Tara Bishop, Ms. Nydia DeSantos, Ms. Tori Villena, or Ms. Autumn Brantly. According to Ms. Bishop, “The Leyden Locker is located in the Tapestry office (Room 063).” This location can be found between the deans and student services offices. If you are wondering how to help out Ms Luna informs, “Spread the word! If you know of someone that might need items let them know about the Leyden Locker!”
The Leyden Locker truly is a very influential resource and is available for all students who need it especially for the coldest time of year. If you’d like to make an appointment please visit the link found on the qr codes around the building, or contact a Leyden Tapestry Advocates.
