As part of California Closet’s Summer of Service, the Chicago CCO and Eastern Manufacturing Center collaborated on a project to support D.A. Blodgett – St. Johns (DABSJ), a Grand Rapids-based foster care and behavioral health agency.
With help from a local donor and additional funding provided by the Chicago CCO, Designer Caroline Harvitt partnered with the DABSJ team to reimagine an existing room and create a Care Closet – a welcoming, organized, and “shoppable” space stocked with essentials for children and families experiencing times of transition.
To help fill the space after installation, the Chicago and EMC teams hosted drives to collect brand-new clothing, hygiene items, toys, and more.This project is a great reflection of the team’s commitment to Social Purpose and Summer of Service as it supports the communities where we live and work. Thank you to all who contributed to this amazing project!
Whether a child is entering foster care with only what they’re wearing, or a family is rebuilding after crisis, this closet offers one less thing to worry about during a hard time.
— DA Blodgett St. Johns Team
About D.A Blodgett – St. Johns
“At D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s, we provide counseling, foster care, adoption, mentoring, and residential care. Each service is different, but all share a common thread – life-changing love. Across the community, we advocate, teach, mentor, protect, provide, and prove every kid has incredible potential, even when the world has told them otherwise.
We provide more than 15 services, impact 7,000 lives every year, and work tirelessly to ensure all children and families have the love, support, and resources they need to thrive – today and into the future.”
