The Black and White

by Kaylie Martell

Pilgrim’s social workers, Ms. Fanion and Ms. Potter offer two programs to help students and their families with finding the right resources, materials, and equipment. Pilgrim offers the opportunity for students and their families who deal with different hardships to take advantage of and use these two amazing programs. There are no requirements or rules to sign up and receive supplies! 

Holly’s Closet

A wonderful program that is available to many high schoolers in Rhode Island is Holly’s Closet. Holly’s closet offers items, clothes, equipment, and more to teenagers in need. Originally, Holly’s Closet began in South Carolina and was run by a woman named Holly, who liked to give back to the community by helping people in need. Holly unfortunately passed away in a car crash back in 2020. When she died, her daughter, Colby Bane, wanted to continue and honor her legacy by founding Holly’s Closet in Rhode Island. As both Colby and Holly had ties to Pilgrim, Colby wanted to work with Warwick and its community.

Colby started this program this year and works many hours a day. She expresses how “it’s more than a 9-5!”. On a daily basis, she shops for items, picks up donations, and organizes them. Currently, Colby is working on contracting and expanding this program in Coventry. Bane shares how in the next two weeks, Coventry will have something similar to a whole “store” of items! She one day she wishes to mirror this setup at Pilgrim. Bane looks forward to teens from Tollgate and West Warwick also benefiting from this program. Then, she wants to expand to as many high schools as possible. Lastly,

You can put in requests if you are in need of any specific items! If you have any questions, want to make a donation, or utilize this program, you can email brooke.potter@warwickschools.org or hollyscloset16@gmail.com! 

Heidi’s Helping Hands 

Another amazing program offered to Pilgrim students is Heidi’s Helping Hands. This program gives free and unused accessories, tools, equipment, and more to students and their families. This program is led by Heidi Fanion, a social worker at Pilgrim High School. Some available items include toiletries, cosmetics, food, clothes, feminine hygiene products, and much more! If you are interested, you can call Ms. Fanion at (401)-298-6590 or email her at heidi.fanion@warwickschools.org. 

How To Get Items

Students or families are welcome to go to room 414 or the nurse’s office to receive items and/or information from either program. Everybody is welcome and students may come back as many times as they need! Another thing Pilgrim offers students is their anonymity. Drawstring bags are available for privacy! 

What Can Students Do? 

Students can donate items or spread the word that these programs exist. Ms. Potter exclaims, “Please reach out!” if you have any questions or are thinking about receiving items. She explains that there is something for everyone with a diverse selection of clothes, makeup, nails, jewelry, shoes, and more. Also, as the prom season approaches, there are new prom dresses available! Please reach out if you have any questions!