We are thrilled about our collaboration with the Glendale Elementary School District (GESD) System of Care Center, enabling us to expand our Everyone Deserves Underwear (E.D.U.) Program, reaching deserving students and their families.

The GESD initiative aims to assist over 1,300 households, impacting approximately 10,000 students in the Glendale community.

Meeting Community Needs in One Place

During a recent interview with Denis Parcells, Director of the Glendale System of Care Center, we gained insight into the organization’s vision and operations. The center strives to be a comprehensive resource hub where community members can find all necessary services in one location.

This approach addresses a common challenge: navigating multiple referrals and service locations, which can be overwhelming and time-consuming for those in need.

"Our vision, what we're trying to become, is a place where anybody in the community can come and get all their needs met in one spot. Typically, people are sent from one place to another, which can be exhausting and inefficient. By partnering with organizations willing to provide their services at no cost to the community, we streamline the process and make support more accessible."

How the GESD Center Operates

The System of Care Center works through a network of partnerships, providing both on-site and external services. They offer space and community access to partner organizations, and in return, these organizations deliver their services at no charge to the center's clients. Additionally, the center hosts various community events to further engage and support local families.

"We have partners like The Undie Chest, where you don't need space to deliver services from the center, but you provide an essential item or service. We also host many events for the community."

The center operates through multiple referral channels, ensuring that no family falls through the cracks. Walk-ins are welcomed and guided through an intake process to identify their needs and connect them with the appropriate resources.

Referrals also come from the school sites within the GESD, where social emotional learning specialists identify and refer students and families in need of additional support.

"If somebody walks in today and says, 'I heard this place can help me,' we'll gather some initial information and start navigating them through our resources. We also get a lot of referrals from our school sites. Each school has a social emotional learning specialist who can refer students and families to us for further assistance."

How Urgent Needs are Addressed

Imagine a student, Johnny, who consistently arrives at school without a proper coat during winter. His teacher noticed this and contacted the school's social emotional learning specialist.

This specialist, recognizing Johnny's need, immediately seeks permission from Johnny's family and refers them to the System of Care Center.

"If Johnny is coming to school every day without a coat, his teacher might notify the social emotional learning specialist. If the school has a coat, they'll provide it immediately. If not, the specialist will refer the family to us, and we'll ensure Johnny gets the coat he needs."

This example demonstrates the center’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to urgent needs. The streamlined process ensures that children like Johnny receive essential items quickly, minimizing any negative impact on their well-being and academic performance.

The Undie Chest's Role in the Partnership

By supplying basic necessities, we help reduce the stigma and discomfort that students may face due to a lack of proper clothing and undergarments.

This small but significant step contributes to the overall mission of the GESD, which is to ensure that every child has what they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

The Importance of Community Support

This partnership highlights the critical role that community support and collaboration play in addressing the diverse needs of local families. The Undie Chest relies on the generosity of organizations like FedEx Cares and The Glendale System of Care Center to provide comprehensive support services.

"We partner with organizations willing to provide their services out of our center at no cost to the community. In turn, we provide them the space and the access to the community."

By working together, we create a stronger, more resilient support system for families in need. The impact of these collaborative efforts extends far beyond immediate needs, fostering a sense of community and belonging among those we serve.

Looking Ahead: Future Initiatives

As we look to the future, The Undie Chest is committed to continuing our support for the Glendale System of Care Center and exploring new ways to expand our impact.

We plan to participate in upcoming community events hosted by the center, providing additional resources and engaging directly with families.

Our ongoing collaboration will concentrate on identifying and addressing emerging needs within the community to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

The Undie Chest is proud to partner with the Glendale System of Care Center to make a tangible difference in the lives of local schools and their families.

Providing essential items like underwear and participating in community events, we help create a supportive environment where children and families can access the resources they need to succeed.

Stay tuned for updates on our future initiatives and the continued impact of our partnership with the Glendale System of Care Center.

In the meantime, if you’re interested in helping us make a difference in our community - you can donate new underwear with tags or make a monetary contribution to help us support families and individuals in need.