Brown Academy Principal Emily Baker shared with the Downtown Council some of the challenges faced by students living in Chattanooga area homeless shelters in finding uniforms. Brown Academy has a clothes closet to help meet student needs, and her wish is to be able to provide as many new uniforms as possible for her students.
At a Downtown Council meeting this week, Ms. Baker learned that members of the Downtown Council are committed to making that wish a reality.
Council President Joey Greer presented Ms.
Baker with a check for $1,000 to seed the effort along with additional funds from the Council’s board members and meeting attendees. In addition, he noted that the Council set a goal to assist Ms. Brown in providing uniforms for each of their students. The cost will be an additional $6,000, and the Council will partner with downtown businesses to reach that goal.
“Having a new uniform is something that few of these students have ever experienced,” Mr. Greer said. “As professionals, we know the importance of being dressed for business and believe that children who are dressed for school are dressed to learn.” He noted that the campaign to clothe the students will begin in the new year.
To learn more about the effort, join the Downtown Council at their Jan. 5 meeting at 7:45 a.m. at the Bessie Smith Hall.