WEST RIDGE — In a place known for its frigid, turbulent winters — Chicago residents know a heavy winter jacket is key to surviving the cold months.
But for many of the most vulnerable city-dwellers — children — a warm winter coat and accessories aren't always a given.
Last week 75 high-need students at Clinton Elementary School in West Ridge received new jackets, hats, gloves and scarves. Clinton is a school on the city's Far North Side that serves a unique mix students, many of whom come from refugee and low-income households.
Cathryn Savino, a case manager at the school, said any adult at the school (as well as parents) could nominate a child to receive a coat by way of Coat Angels, a Chicago-based non-profit that's given out thousands of coats since it began in 2006.
Savino said that while the majority of referrals for winter wear came from homeroom teachers, some parents asked for help.
About 89.5 percent of the school's students come from low-income backgrounds, meaning access to new coats and other winter essentials does not always come easy.
"One student made a comment today saying that this was the first time she had a brand new coat. She had only had hand-me-downs from her older sister before and the coat was several years old and wearing thin," Savino said.
"We know that parents do what they can but it takes a village to raise a child. Coat Angels is an organization who we are proud to include in our 'village' and do so much to make our students stay warm for the winter."
Clinton's high refugee population also creates another level of need, Savino said.
She said a "significant" number of the school's student body who are considered refugees arrive in the middle of the year with little to no winter necessities. Not only have they likely never experienced winter, but during the summer when they arrive, few resources exist to help them prepare.
Debra Prince, a Clinton representative, said teachers are always keeping a watchful eye on how students come dressed to class, especially during the winter.
"With Chicago's drastic [temperature] change we always try to make sure kids are dressed properly," Prince said. "With our diverse student population, Clinton has new students enrolling daily. Many from other countries who speak no English and are not familiar with Chicago weather."
Clinton's principal Eduardo Cesario has said in the past schools must "hustle" on behalf of students to forge relationships with outside organizations in order to meet the needs of their school community.
Cesario invited local pastor, Bishop Oswald Nelson of The Northside Tabernacle of Praise, to the Coat Angels event, where Nelson gave Clinton a generous donation. Prince said Cesario in turn passed the donation on to Coat Angels as a way to pay it forward.
In the end, new winter coats hold much more meaning than just warmth in the winter, Prince and Savino said.
It's an item they can call they're own. It's an official marker of being a Chicagoan.
"This makes them feel special," Prince said. "It is not only about giving the kids the clothing it is also about the experience."
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