CLOTHE-A-CHILD, INC.
PROGRAMS & REFERRAL PROCESS

Clothe-A-Child administers three major programs that directly affect school children and their families throughout Jefferson County and southern Indiana regardless of race gender or disability.  The eligibility criteria are based on income.  Referrals are received from the Cabinet for Families and Children (KTEP & Food Stamps Offices), Jefferson County Public Schools (school counselors, Family Resource and Youth Service Centers), community organization and churches.  Social workers and school personnel are encouraged to wait one year before referring a family previously served by the shopping programs. However, in some instances, exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis. The three programs are Back-To-School, Christmas School Clothing, and the Clothes Closet.

Since 1989 the Back-to-School shopping program has been held at various department stores in Louisville, Kentucky.  Referrals are mailed to appropriate social service agencies and schools in May.  They are accepted based on income guidelines and parents are notified when and where to shop for their children in August. The Back-to-School program helps children to begin school on the first day.  An average of 600 children receive new clothing at a cost of approximately $40,000.  We spend $75 on children 4 to 13 years of age and $100 on children 14 to 18 years old.

The Christmas School Clothing program is the second program Clothe-A-Child sponsors annually to provide warm clothing to keep children in school during the winter months.  Referrals are mailed to the appropriate agencies and schools in October. This program started in December 1977 with 187 children receiving new clothing. Each December, children receive warm clothes for winter.  Volunteers participate in the program by transporting children, and/or assisting them in selecting clothing for school.  More than 800 volunteers from businesses, churches, and civic groups are recruited to assist during the shopping.  Of these 800 volunteers, about two hundred volunteers work in the store to assist children with their purchases.  The program usually provides new clothing for a minimum of 1500 school age children.  We spend $100 on children 4 to 13 and $125 on children ages 14 to 18 years old.  The cost of this event averages about $150,000.

The Clothes Closet, our third program, which benefits both children and their families operates year round from the headquarters building located at 2124 W. Muhammad Ali Boulevard, Monday – Thursday from 10:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.  Clients are eligible to select new and gently used clothing from the clothes closet for their families. The clothing is donated from various community resources and is supplied without charge to clients.  Adults and children of any age can select clothing from the clothes closet.