The Caring Link
How We Help Local Kids
When a studentās basic needs go unmet, even the little things can become big barriers to learning, belonging, and reaching their full potential.
The Caring Link provides whole-child support that helps local students across Madison County, Alabama feel cared for, included, confident, and ready to learn. Through in-school Care Closets as well as eight additional enrichment programs, we provide brand new basic essentials, books, food, health and wellness resources, school experiences, special-needs support, and moreāmeeting kids where they are with what they need, when they need it.
Because when kids have what they need, they can become the best version of themselves.
28 Care Closets. Eight enrichment programs. 17,000+ students supported.
100% volunteer-powered. One community that cares.
Care Closets
Our primary work centers on establishing and maintaining Care Closets within local public school buildings. These Care Closets provide teachers and staff with immediate access to brand new items that their students may need, free of charge.
Explore Care ClosetsNew Beginnings
This year-round school-readiness program supports students during back-to-school and beyond. It provides essential items as well as collaborative resources to give hope to kids by showing them that they are worthy of love, care, and bright futures.
Explore New BeginningsBook Fairy
Do you remember the excitement of shopping at your school's book fair? Unfortunately, not every student gets that chance. Thatās why we created the Book Fairy programāto help students build home libraries, strengthen literacy skills, boost confidence, and feel included.
Explore Book FairyCare to Join
We are also committed to helping underprivileged students offset the costs of participating in extracurricular and school-based activities so that they can grow as leaders within their schools.
Explore Care to JoinTreated with Care
Supports school nurses with practical, essential resources that help them meet the everyday needs of their studentsāpromoting health, comfort, and well-being while helping ensure kids are cared for and ready to learn.
Explore Treated With CareAdaptABLE Care
Provides self-contained special needs units with resources tailored to their studentsā unique needs, including adaptive seating, personal care items, wipes, Pull-Ups, sanitation and cleaning supplies, and more.
Explore AdaptABLE CareFeed Our Friends
It's hard to focus on learning when your tummy is growling. We provide elementary and intermediate school students in need with easy access to nutritious snacksāhelping them recharge, refocus, and finish the day strong.
Explore Feed Our FriendsPop-Up Prom Shops
Brings free formalwear directly to high school campuses, helping students find dresses, suits, shoes, accessories, and more for āthe big danceā without the worry of cost or transportation.
Explore Prom ShopsHalloween BOO-Tique
Provides free Halloween costumes so every child can join in the fall fun without cost being a barrier. Whether they dream of dressing up as Spider-Man, a princess, or a spooky monster, every child deserves the chance to dress up, have fun, and feel included.
Explore BOO-tique