JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the new school year begins, some Duval County families say they’re struggling to afford school uniforms, and local advocates warn that the need is keeping students out of class.
Parents at Westside High School told News4JAX the dress code requires polos with the school logo and, this year, khaki or black slacks or skirts. For families who can’t buy new clothes, that change has become a barrier to attendance.
One local nonprofit, The Giving Closet Project, reports that requests for help have increased to the hundreds this month, with most of the students it serves attending Duval County Public Schools.
“Almost 70% of all of our students that we service are actually DCPS students,” Angel Sanchez with The Giving Closet Project said. “A lot of times we see kids missing school…they don’t have the clothing to go into school and feel confident in themselves. That’s some of the biggest issues we see.”
Of the thousands of students the organization helped last year, 75% of families were living in motels, shelters, or cars because of job loss, poverty or a family crisis, Sanchez said.
Clothing insecurity, he added, affects “mental health, confidence level and academics.”
The nonprofit supplies polos, khaki and black pants, uniform-appropriate shoes, and other basics, generally without logos, at no cost to families in need. After losing state funding earlier this year, the group is now relying entirely on donations.
“A lot of times, we see a problem. We see that kids aren’t in school because of clothing, whatever it might be, but who’s really but who’s really helping to fix that problem?” Sanchez said. “As a whole, we have to come together and work together to solve that problem.”
How to get help or get help
- Parents should contact their child’s school counselor to request a referral to The Giving Closet Project.
- You can also call 211 to be connected with local resources.
- Parents can also fill out this form to get in touch with Full Service Schools.
- Community members who want to help can donate clothing or funds to The Giving Closet Project via their website or their Amazon Wish list.
- If you want to donate used clothing, email info@givingclosetproject.org to schedule a drop-off appointment.
About dress codes
The district says each Duval County Public School sets its own dress code and uniform requirements. Questions about uniforms should be directed to individual school administrators.
Schools are allowed to have a preferred uniform vendor.