Expanding Support: The Head Start/Early Head Start Family Closet

At Head Start/Early Head Start, we believe in supporting families beyond the classroom, and one of our most impactful resources is the Family Closet. This initiative was born from the vision of our Family Advocate Jesus Islas-Acosta, who wanted to create a sustainable, ongoing resource to help families with essential household and hygiene products. Initially, space was limited, and the closet only stocked items like laundry soap, shampoo, and diapers. However, in the fall of 2024, Jesus saw an opportunity to expand the closet to include clothing and shoes, ensuring families had access to even more of the necessities they need.

Thanks to a generous $2,500 donation from the Warsaw Morning Optimist Club, we were able to move into a larger space, transforming the Family Closet into a true expanded support system. Today, families can shop for children’s clothing (infant to size 6/7), maternity wear, and hygiene products. To access these items, families earn Head Start Dollars through participation in our program—by attending engagement events, completing at-home activities, attending conferences, or maintaining good attendance in Early Head Start. Each item in the pantry costs $1 in Head Start Dollars, but we always make accommodations for families in immediate need.

Our Family Closet is made possible through the generosity of community partners, including a dedicated member of the Altrusa Club in Warsaw, who regularly donates diapers and pull-ups, and Kids Market, which provides gently used clothes and shoes after their community-wide sales. Their support has helped sustain this important resource, and we are excited about the future. Our next goal is to offer infant care items like bouncers and strollers for new and expecting moms.

We are always accepting donations to help keep our Family Closet stocked! Hygiene products—especially diapers, shampoo, and soaps—are in high demand, as well as new and gently used clothing for the spring and summer seasons. If you’d like to contribute or learn more, please contact Head Start Family Advocate Jesus Islas-Acosta at 574-371-1494 or email jesus.islas@cardinalservices.org . Together, we can continue making a difference for our Head Start/Early Head Start families!

Interested in Head Start/Early Head Start? Apply Now!

Head Start is currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year. Eligible children for Head Start must be 3 years old on or before August 1, 2025. Early Head Start accepts children prenatal to 3 years old. For more information on how to apply, visit our webpage at Head Start – Cardinal Services or call our Head Start/EHS office at 574-267-2451. (Se habla español).