School custodian stocks 'care closet' with clothing, food, and school supplies

About three years ago, two students at Tucker High School in Tucker, Georgia approached the school custodian, Carolyn Collins, with a problem. They were homeless and hungry. Carolyn sprang into action and provided for their immediate needs, but she realized the problem was bigger than just the here and now. Knowing other students would also be in need, she started to stockpile supplies in her custodian's closet. 

Since that time, she has helped between 20 and 30 students a year with food, clothing, toiletries, school supplies, you name it. Some items are donated, others she buys with her own money. In recent months, her 'Care Closet' has gotten some press, resulting in monetary donations to buy more supplies. 

Carolyn thinks desperation created by homelessness, hunger, and an uncaring community leads to violence such as the home invasion which took her son's life several years ago. The Care Closet is her way of letting even the most desperate teens know that someone is indeed in their corner. 

Because no student should sit alone at the lunch table

Four students at a Boca Raton high school noticed that sometimes, fellow students ate lunch alone. Having been in that awkward, uncomfortable position themselves, they decided to do something about it. They banded together to form a club called We Dine Together.

During the school's lunch break, club members roam the courtyard and seek out students sitting alone. They introduce themselves and strike up a conversation. Hopefully, the connections made will help new or socially isolated students feel part of their school community. The club hopes their program becomes a model for others across the country.

A few months ago, I highlighted a similar connectional program. That one, Sit With Us, is a free smartphone app created by a California student. She too had felt the pain of sitting alone at school lunch. The purpose is the same - to reach out and create a welcoming community to every student in the school.

The empathy shown by these sensitive students is a credit to them, their families, and their school communities. Instead of complaining about a problem, they found a way to be part of the solution.