Above / Adeline Jones was photographed unloading the U-haul truck of donated clothing items at the 360 Youth Services office, located at 1935 Brookdale Road in Naperville.
Nine-year-old launches clothing drive to collect more than 1,000 items for local homeless youth.
When 9-year-old Adeline Jones toured 360 Youth Services Transitional Housing Program, she immediately realized that not all people in Naperville live the way she does.
Addy learned that 360 Youth Services has four housing programs serving youth ages 13 – 24. During her tour, she was able to meet Tony, who was a client of the Transitional Housing Program at that time, and get a glimpse into Tony’s lifestyle. Seeing Tony’s closet, Addy was impacted by the few clothing items and single pair of shoes.
Most clients who come to the Transitional Housing Program arrive with little more than the clothes they are wearing. Clients are invited to shop at My Closet, an area at 360 Youth Services, where donated clothing items are held for clients to choose from.
Addy decided to organize a clothing drive at her school, Ss. Peter and Paul, to help provide warm clothes this winter for the clients like Tony. She wrote a letter to her classmates and families asking for their assistance. “I want to help everyone in the program have warm clothing this winter so I am organizing a Winter Clothing Drive,” said Addy. To her delight, the fourth grade class supported her cause collecting more than one thousand items.
After collecting the clothing donations, Addy wanted to do more to make the recipients of the clothing feel special. “Some people don’t feel loved or special,” said Addy. “My mom puts special messages in my lunch that make me feel happy and some people never hear that.”
Addy and her classmates made homemade tags with messages of love and support for each clothing item. The tags conveyed You Are Loved, You Are Amazing and other sentiments of caring.
With the help of a U-Haul truck and her mom, dad, and brother, Addy delivered the items to 360 Youth Services My Closet. Addy explained to the staff how touched she was to hear Tony’s story and why she wanted to help.
“Addy is an inspiration to us all,” said Katy Leclair, Chief Executive Officer of 360 Youth Services. “Her passion and dedication to service is well beyond her years. On delivery day, when Addy shared (the words) ‘everyone deserves the opportunity to feel valued and loved,’ there was not a dry eye in the room.”
360 Youth Services
360 Youth Services provides life changing services to youth through substance abuse prevention education, counseling and shelter. To learn more about their programs and initiatives, visit www.360youthservices.org.
Story and photo submitted by Lisa Schwarz-Barry, Marketing & Event Specialist, for 360 Youth Services
