What’s in Neelin High’s ‘Comfort Closet?’

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/10/2024 (598 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As much as we’d like to support everyone here at École secondaire Neelin High School, some people don’t know all the ways Neelin is there to help them. For example, not everyone has easy access to daily use hygiene products such as shampoo, deodorant, etc., but the Comfort Closet is there to provide for those who are in need.

Now the idea of a Comfort Closet may sound confusing, but it is a room where students at Neelin can find things they may need that they cannot get outside of school. The Comfort Closet contains items from body wash to clothing, to pins and stickers for folks wanting to celebrate Pride, prayer mats and much more. Everything in the Comfort Closet is obtainable through a help-yourself solution. Whenever a student needs something to help make their school days more secure and manageable, they are more than welcome to look to see if there is anything they may find helpful to them.

Now, how did this come about? About a year ago, the GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance) applied for a grant funded by It Gets Better, “a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe” (itgetsbetter.org). After receiving the $13,000 grant, the GSA was able to develop the Comfort Closet. To keep up with stocking the Closet with diverse products for everyone, it is funded through donations from the community around us.

Staff facilitator Ms. Lemoine says, “It’s coming up to fall and soon it’s going to be winter, (so) if you have old sweaters, if you have old winter boots, if you have old winter jackets, if you have anything fall-winter appropriate that is taking up space in your house, (please) bring it to school and drop it off in the green bins in the Closet.” Donations and fundraisers help keep Neelin’s daily supplies Closet alive and keep students at Neelin feeling comfortable in their skin while at school. Donated items that are not being used around your household may be used daily by someone in a different situation.

After discussing with members of the GSA, it was clear not enough people are aware of this support system that is here at Neelin. “It has been really helpful for me, and I think it’d be helpful for anyone,” said one GSA member.“I love that there is so much opportunity here, and just the availability as well,” observed another. A third student remarked, “I think it’s a really good initiative and I’m glad that we’re able to give access not just to queer kids but to anyone around here.”

The GSA has been working hard to get the word out through posters and announcements that will be put up around the school. These posters will address what the Comfort Closet is and where it is in the school. A few options for donating to the Comfort Closet include either dropping items off directly in a bin inside the Closet or locating a member of the GSA to help guide you on where to put it. Some last words from our members — Comfort Closet is for everyone! No matter who you are, the Comfort Closet is there to make you feel welcome.

» Tatiana Dupuis is a Grade 12 student at École secondaire Neelin High School