Community Closets were established within Emergency Departments across Trinity Health Of New England to support patients in need of clothing, shoes, coats and hygiene kits. The closets are funded by grants secured by Community Health and Well Being to ensure patients have new clothing and shoes upon discharge. The closets were created to address a need: patients arriving in the Emergency Department with damaged or soiled clothing or leaving the hospital with nothing appropriate to wear. In some cases, clothing was removed for medical treatment, damaged in trauma, or simply unavailable due to homelessness or unstable living situations.
Trinity Health Of New England’s Community Closets are not just about giving clothing items, but also providing hope, dignity and a reminder that every patient matters.
It's not about providing clothes. The effort is about removing a barrier, showing care and ensuring people are discharged with dignity. The numbers tell a powerful story. Across Trinity Health Of New England’s four participating hospitals – Saint Francis, Johnson Memorial, Saint Mary’s and Mercy Medical Center – we have served over 275 individuals, distributing over 700 items of clothing and hygiene essentials. When we look at why people need clothing, the data reflects both medical and social realities:
• 28% had soiled clothing
• 27% were experiencing homelessness or had no adequate clothing for discharge
• 21% had clothing damaged due to trauma or cut off during medical treatment
This important work wouldn’t have been possible without ongoing support and collaboration of our case management, nursing staff and Emergency Department teams. They’re often the first to recognize a patient’s non-clinical needs and play a key role in identifying when the Community Closet can make a difference. Their compassion and quick action help ensure that patients leave with dignity and care.
As Matrisa Crapps, Community Health Worker at Mercy shared, “providing clothing to our population is an act of kindness. When God shows up, it’s His love and divine intervention plan for their lives.”
“The Community Closet has become a powerful source of support for the Waterbury community, providing essential clothing to patients in need while restoring dignity, comfort, and hope,” said Michelle Salgado, Community Health Worker at Saint Mary’s. “For those facing difficult circumstances, a simple change of clothes can mean so much. It’s a reminder that they are seen, valued and cared for. This initiative is making a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.”
At Trinity Health Of New England’s Community Closets, we are not just giving clothing items, we are providing hope, dignity and a reminder that every patient matters.
Submitted by Jacob Diogostine, Regional Coordinator of Community Benefit, Trinity Health Of New England.
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