As she shopped among an assortment of free clothing and shoes at her local school, a young girl wondered if she would find anything she liked.
The newly revamped clothing closet at Positive Tomorrows did not disappoint.
"She came out dressed in purple from head to toe," said Sara Jacobson, the school's director of development.
Such stories have become more frequent during students' first-time visits to The Star Shop at Positive Tomorrows, a private tuition-free school and social service agency serving students and families experiencing homelessness.
The clothing closet makeover was funded by a $40,000 donation from Cox Communications. With the funding and the help of Cox volunteers, the closet was transformed from a nondescript storage space, featuring a concrete floor and donated items stashed in boxs, to a light, bright carpeted room with places to hang new or gently used clothing and display shoes, plus plenty of storage space for other items like hygiene products, socks, underwear, infant items, washing detergent, paper towels and other household items for the school's families.
The new and improved shop also has a curtained-off area that serves as a dressing room for students who wish to try out their potential new duds.
"Having everything be organized has also helped our team to be able to store more and do more with the space, because it's just that much better," Jacobson said.
"I mean, it's like a dream closet."
By contrast, she said the former space "wasn't very inspiring to come into for kids to pick out something that they wanted to be proud of."
"It wasn't a very dignified or real special experience, and so we thought that could be elevated into something that feels like you're going shopping for yourself, something that you're proud to pick something out that you want to wear, that you feel comfortable and confident in."
McKalyn Danner, the school's assistant director of development, agreed. She said the new Star Shop helps families with tangible needs like clothing, while making students and families feel special and cared for.
Katy Boren, Cox Communications Oklahoma City market vice president, said Cox contributed an additional $2,500 after the company's initial $40,000 donation so that Positive Tomorrows' leaders could purchase what they needed to complete the transformaton. She said Oklahoma City Cox Communications employees have donated $200,000 for local charities and organizations, and amassed 2,500 volunteer hours thus far in 2024.
"Cox has a long tradition of giving back to the communities they serve, and so Positive Tomorrows is really kind of right in line with our core values," she said.
Danner said Positive Tomorrows currently serves 120 students, ranging in age from 6 months to seventh grade, along with their families. She said about half of the families are staying in local shelters, while others may be "couch homeless," depending on temporary shelter provided by others.
"They are our most vulnerable families," she said.
Feee transportation is provided for the students, who receive breakfast, lunch and a protein-rich snack at school each day. Danner said social services case managers at the school partner with parents seeking to get on their feet, which sets the whole family on the path to future success.
She said the new Star Shop, which creates a positive, dignified experience for students, is a great addition to the school's wrap-around services.
The Star Shop at Positive Tomorrows is in need of donations of shoes and clothing for students such as socks, underwear, bras, sports bras, T-shirts and coats. There is a particular need for clothing and shoes for older students (middle school age). New or gently used donations are accepted. For more information or to donate, call 405-506-5082 or go to https://www.positivetomorrows.org/.