The Caring Link's Programs
Care Closets
Our main program is installing and maintaining Care Closets inside public schools across Madison County. These provide students in need with brand new essential items, all available directly on their school campus and at no cost.
Inside every Care Closet, you’ll find clothing, undergarments, shoes, coats and jackets, hygiene products, school supplies, comfort items, and more.
We currently have Care Closets inside 28 schools that support over 17,000 students every single school day.
New Beginnings
New Beginnings is a year-round school-readiness program that provides local students facing financial hardship with essential items and services, including clothing, shoes, school supplies, hygiene products, haircuts, medical screenings, healthcare support, family meal boxes, and access to other community partners.
By addressing students’ changing needs throughout the year, this program helps them feel prepared, confident, supported, and ready to learn and thrive.
Book Fairy
Do you remember shopping at the school book fair and that sense of excitement and joy that came with purchasing a book of your very own? Unfortunately, not every student is able to share that experience.
At The Caring Link, we are dedicated to establishing a sense of equity among students. Thus, we also fund gift certificates for underprivileged students to use at their school book fairs.
These gifts give students who would otherwise be unable to participate a chance to experience the same excitement that their classmates enjoy as well as grow their home libraries, literacy skills, and love of reading.
Care to Join
Our Care to Join program supports underprivileged students who seek to participate in school-based extracurriculars and educational activities.
When these activities have certain cost requirements, some students cannot afford to take part. These experiences can include something as simple as going on a field trip with their classmates to playing a sport to attending an educational conference or leadership event.
We want to ensure that students can experience educational enrichment and connect with their peers regardless of their household incomes.
Treated with Care
Our Treated with Care program supports school nurses with practical and essential resources that help keep students healthy, cared for, and ready to learn.
From everyday health and other essential resources, we help equip school nurses with the tools they need to meet students’ needs throughout the school day.
By helping fill gaps in school health resources, we make it easier for nurses to provide timely, compassionate care and help students return to the classroom feeling comfortable, supported, and ready to learn.
AdaptABLE Care
Our AdaptABLE Care program provides self-contained special needs units with resources tailored to the unique needs of their students, including adaptive seating, personal care items, wipes, Pull-Ups and diapers, sanitation and cleaning supplies, and more.
By helping schools access the specialized supplies and equipment they need, we support teachers and staff in creating a safe, comfortable, and inclusive learning environment where every student can participate, learn, and thrive.
Feed Our Friends
It’s hard to focus when you’re hungry.
Some classrooms have snack times built into their schedules because younger students and those who have earlier or later lunch times need a pick-me-up at certain points in the day.
However, not every student can afford to bring a snack to fuel their brains and keep their attention on track.
Our Feed Our Friends program allows elementary and intermediate school students to recharge with their peers and finish the learning day strong.
Pop-Up HOCO & Prom Shops
We believe that every student should have a chance to attend their high school dances. However, some students miss these memorable milestones because they cannot afford formalwear.
Our Pop-Up Homecoming and Prom Shops bring free formalwear directly to high school campuses, without the worry of cost or transportation.
This program helps students find dresses, suits, shoes, accessories, and more so students feel confident and ready to dance the night away alongside their friends.
We are happy to accept new or used-in-good condition formalwear donations. Please contact us if you would like to donate or help as a seamstress for minor alterations.
Halloween BOO-tique
Whether they want to dress up as Spiderman, a princess, or a scary monster, children love finding their perfect Trick-or-Treat costume.
Our Halloween BOO-tique provides a way for all kids, regardless of budget, to find a costume that makes the holiday fun and inclusive.
By offering both new and used-in-good-condition costumes, the BOO-tique allows students to experience the joy of being a kid while removing an extra burden from families in need.
If you have a costume or accessories to donate (all sizes accepted), please contact us today.
