Dignity Through Essentials: An Ongoing Project to Provide New Clothing & Hygiene

Project Title:
Youth Dignity Essentials Initiative: Restoring Confidence and Hygiene Access for Underserved Youth

Submitted by:
Mommy & Daddy’s Little Angels Youth and Family Services Inc.
555 McClean Avenue, 4B
Staten Island, NY 10305
(212) 380-6989 | www.mdlayafsinc.com
EIN: 80-0340449

Donation Goal: $50,000

Project Overview:

Access to clean undergarments, clothing, and hygiene products should never be a privilege. Yet for many teens and young adults facing poverty, housing insecurity, foster care transitions, and systemic neglect, even the most basic essentials are out of reach. To address this urgent and ongoing need, Mommy & Daddy’s Little Angels Youth and Family Services Inc. is launching the Youth Dignity Essentials Initiative, a year-round basic needs assistance and self-care literacy program for vulnerable youth in New York City.

This initiative provides new, age-appropriate undergarments, daily clothing essentials, personal care items, and dignity-driven educational materials for teens and young adults living in crisis or low-income settings. It supports youth from NYCHA developments, HASA care recipients, LGBTQ+ youth, foster care systems, and Title I schools across Brooklyn, Staten Island, and beyond.

Statement of Need:

Far too many youth across NYC struggle to access basic clothing and hygiene supplies. Some have been criminalized for stealing socks, underwear, or hygiene items. Many suffer in silence, skipping school or isolating themselves to avoid the shame of being unclean or inadequately dressed. These conditions are preventable.

Studies consistently show that access to hygiene and clean clothing positively correlates with school attendance, mental health, social confidence, and academic achievement. The absence of these essentials perpetuates trauma, stress, and feelings of unworthiness. This initiative eliminates these barriers with dignity-centered support.

Program Components:

A. Essential Goods Distribution

Each youth served receives a personalized essentials kit containing:

Undergarments: Panties, bras, boxers, briefs, undershirts

Socks & Footwear: Crew socks, ankle socks, slippers, flip-flops

Clothing Basics: Pajamas, tees, sweatpants, shorts, leggings

Bath Linens: Towels, washcloths

Oral Care: Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash

Body & Skin Care: Body wash, soap, lotion, deodorant, sunscreen

Hair Care: Shampoo, conditioner, combs, brushes

Feminine Hygiene: Pads, tampons, panty liners, feminine wipes

Shaving Supplies: Razors, shaving cream, aftershave

B. Community-Based Distribution Events

Monthly Dignity Drives held in schools, shelters, NYCHA centers, and mutual aid hubs

Youth-friendly, trauma-informed environments where teens receive supplies, support, and community

Partnerships with community centers to expand safe points of access

C. On-Demand Distribution Model

Year-round access to essentials through direct referrals and emergency requests

Maintains dignity and privacy for youth needing support between events

D. Self-Care & Hygiene Literacy Curriculum

Easy-to-understand educational resources on body care, cleanliness, confidence, and self-esteem

Peer-led discussions and youth ambassador workshops to normalize conversations around hygiene

Target Population:

Homeless youth and teens in transitional housing

LGBTQ+ youth experiencing family rejection

Youth involved in the foster care system

Students attending Title I schools

Low-income NYCHA residents and youth living with HIV/AIDS

Our program operates with a non-discriminatory, inclusive lens and centers marginalized populations.

Outcomes and Impact:

Serve over 1,000 youth annually through events and referrals

Improve school attendance and participation for youth receiving essentials

Reduce instances of criminalization tied to survival theft

Strengthen youth mental health, confidence, and personal development

Create pathways to larger systemic change in access to youth hygiene products

Funding Justification:

A $50,000 investment will support:

Procurement of high-quality hygiene and clothing items

Packaging, storage, and logistics for monthly distributions

Development and printing of youth-centered hygiene curriculum

Transportation and outreach for hard-to-reach youth populations

Staff support and stipends for youth leaders and volunteers

Strategic Alignment with Our Core Programs:

This initiative integrates seamlessly with our:

Basic Needs Assistance: Year-round delivery of critical resources to economically vulnerable youth

Educational Equity Outreach: Removing hygiene-related barriers to school success

Trauma-Informed Youth Mentorship: Supporting dignity as a foundation for healing

Holistic Mental Health & Wellness Initiative: Addressing hygiene as a core component of self-care

Conclusion:

The Youth Dignity Essentials Initiative is more than a product distribution program. It is a commitment to restoring agency, dignity, and hope in the lives of young people who deserve more than survival. Your donation will directly support youth who would otherwise go without the most basic necessities.

We invite you to join us in uplifting the lives of teens and young adults through compassion, consistency, and care. Together, we can create a future where no young person is left behind due to lack of access.

Thank you for your consideration.