3 minute read
CRYSTAL’S CHAMPIONS
Clare’s Community Closet: Clare Ndergakura
To be honest there was a chain of events that inspired me to start the Community Closet. Around mid-September I noticed a “call” for blankets and other winter items for the local community centers who usually serve those in need. For some reason I just kept noticing it over and over. I was already volunteering with Food Not Bombs (well I volunteered once and then had to run and make the meal (for 60 people and I decided to see if I could bring clothes to it. The clothes with the meal combination was a hit! So I just kept going. I kept bringing clothes on Mondays, and it gradually just turned into what do I need to sustain this? Keeping clothes at my house with my new boyfriend and my sweet 6 year old was not going to work. So I started looking for spaces and Clare’s Community Closet began. I will also say that I love to give back in my own way. I’ve had the kind of life that makes you understand there is always time to help someone and there’s always enough even if you share.
What has been the most difficult obstacle in getting the project started?
For me creating comes easy. I will say what has been difficult is maintaining. Making sure I can still function: live my life and support myself and my child. Helping can often take over a person’s life. All the emails, all the calls, all the people who have need. It can be overwhelming when you only have a few volunteers who come every once in a while and you as a single mom still have to maintain clients, clean a house and homeschool during a pandemic.
Where can people donate for this cause?
Any and all donation amounts are accepted! While I build this to a proper 501c3 help with my work as well the community needs requests are much appreciated. clarescommunitycloset@gmail.com is the Paypal account. Checks and cash are always accepted as well. Send checks to 2020 W 9th apt 2 Lawrence KS 66044.
What are some of the biggest needs you are seeing in the community?
There is a great need for Community Services. By this I mean, yes I am helping to give attention to and possibly a temporary solution to needs, but people need more. They need options and programs to get into stable/sustainable housing. Mental health services that are free are very accessible so they can maintain life as well. Social Workers and social agencies need to be given more money and more respect. Because they do the real work and make the change happen. The Willow Domestic Violence Shelter and the Shelter are just a few that make such a huge difference in our community. What tips would you offer other individuals looking to use grants for a new venture?
So I was pretty excited to be able to apply for a grant from the United Way. It had much less restrictions than other Grants do, most expect you to already be a 501c3 and have much more experience. While the Grant was made in such a way to be more helpful for community members of color to be successful in these projects, I will say that the process is still exhausting. When you do the work and the proof is there from the community, why then do you have to repeat it over and over on a document? Good works should be enough to be supported. Tips I would offer: be prepared to prove yourself over and over. Find help and use all the resources you can for searching for Grants. Your local Public Library should have resources. And KEEP GOING. Don’t let anyone steal your joy or make you doubt. When you are called to do a thing, just accept the call and roll with it. Everything will fall into place.
