
Catie’s Closet
Model & Strategy
Over 19 million students live in poverty in the United States. For these students, focusing on education is yet another hardship they must endure. Lack of basic necessities is reported as one of the top ten reasons for reduced school attendance according to the Massachusetts school board. In Massachusetts alone, over 5,700 students dropped out of high school in 2014, costing taxpayers $1.7 billion in lost wages over the course of their lives.
Catie’s Closet improves school attendance and removes social stigma by discreetly distributing clothing, toiletries, and shoes to low-income students (Pre-K through 12th grade). Catie’s Closet makes it easy and positive for students in schools to access these basic needs via a retail-like storefront. Catie’s Closet builds a “store” or “walk in closet” right inside their school so that students have immediate access to what they need, free of charge. Offering age-appropriate clothing allows students increased self-esteem, a sense of belonging and a resource to alleviate the visible burden of poverty.
Long-term, the organization will use an affiliate model to partner with school districts in other states across the US.



Mickey Cockrell spent more than 30 years in the retail sector, providing leadership for Jordan Marsh, Filene’s and most recently as a Vice President for Kohl’s. Mickey is an innovator and problem-solver, and is known for creating high-impact marketing strategies. Her notable contributions include driving company expansion and operational efficiencies. Mickey is a MassChallenge Diamond Winner, EforAll top Winner and won the “Celebration of Excellence” Non-Profit of the Year award.
IMPACT
Launched in 2010, Catie’s Closet operates in 90 schools in nine cities, within two states, serving 55,000 students. Of the 90 schools where Catie’s Closet operates, 76 are in Massachusetts and 14 are in New Hampshire. Based on the success of their business model, Boston Public Schools has chosen Catie’s Closet to be a partner in all 125 of their schools. Positioned in 27 Boston Public Schools to date, Catie’s Closet will meet their needs over three years. A second Distribution Center located in Boston opened in 2019.
In the short term, Catie’s Closet will open three additional distribution HUBs in Massachusetts, two of which will serve New Bedford and Worcester’s estimated 308,000 students, while the third will open in Springfield in March 2020.
The organization has developed an affiliate model to collaborate with school districts in other states across the nation, to serve the 30,000,000 students living in poverty in the US in the long term. The program is underway with Long Island piloting the model.
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Read our latest blog post to learn three simple yet impactful ways you can help the most vulnerable members of our… https://t.co/WVLFRA6Z7Z
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When the #weather is this #cold, our work gets harder. You can make a difference and warm a #child, please make a $… https://t.co/xURUkYeLCf
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🌟 🌟 🌟 Your support of Catie's Closet reminds 80,000 #students of this every day ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Learn more about our big… https://t.co/9Xlg8DmoAo
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🚨 🚨 🚨 We have URGENT needs for #sweatpants, zip up #hoodies and #sweatshirts for #teens. Size: M-XL in women's & me… https://t.co/whyxG8Q6wV
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Thanks to our 🤩 partner, @myearthbreeze and their Buy One Give Ten program, #children who visit their #CatiesCloset… https://t.co/rHOJ4xJsRF
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Catie once wrote, "#Education creates a world of tolerance and understanding". She was passionate about the role a… https://t.co/zPVccWHz8l
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Look at the amazing work we do together 🤩 Your monetary donations, clothing donations, Amazon purchases and overall… https://t.co/T0lrCBJIXt
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❄️❄️❄️ BRRRR.... It's snowy and #cold out there!! YOU can help local #children stay #warm and make the walk to… https://t.co/roxFRVleG0
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We are so proud and thankful to partner with @MVFoodBank and @glcfoundation to fight food insecurity within severa… https://t.co/f28eKY2gmy
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In recent local news, #fostercare is a common topic. You can help #children in these tough situations by supportin… https://t.co/WQCKbDADG5
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A special thank you to the Stonehill College Softball team for all of your efforts! We are thankful for your giving… https://t.co/QXvIbSHy76
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A lace pocket. 👖 A sparkly jacket. ✨ A pair of new blue sneakers. 👟 Lightening bolt print. ⚡ These unique feat… https://t.co/iv34NZN2tw
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It's time to get dressed up 👗, put those dancing shoes on 👠 and come together for a great cause! Our in-person… https://t.co/qqesJURpBr
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#Teachers in 120 schools understand the power of #CatiesCloset. With student's basic needs met, they can focus on l… https://t.co/9CGVGP47p1
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Take time today but not just today, to ask yourself what are YOU doing for others.💜 #MLKDay #MLKDay2022… https://t.co/fwZ711WOwY
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Impacts of #COVID and #learningloss in #Massachusetts is very real. Between parents and testing data there is a dis… https://t.co/8OAGJNHTtJ
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Catie’s Closet is currently located in 120 schools in Massachusetts and New Hampshire with a poverty rate of 50% or… https://t.co/41zrNBs0Ty
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"I can keep it?". Yes sweet boy, you can!! This beautiful new #coat lit up the day for this #Lawrence public sch… https://t.co/hgOU6y6ivr
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Governor @maura_healey & Lieutenant Governor @MayorDriscoll partnered with #CatiesCloset and #LowellPublicSchools i… https://t.co/CfHJYt2328