Chardon Care Closet empowers students to focus on learning without worrying about basic necessities

Every student deserves to walk into school with confidence, dignity, and the tools they need to learn. In this episode, Chardon High School teacher Kelly DiCato shares the story of the Chardon Care Closet and the community effort that is changing lives one backpack, toothbrush, notebook, and tube of chap stick at a time. SUPPORT THE CHARDON CARE CLOSET | If you would like to make a donation to support the Chardon Care Closet's mission, you can learn more on the Chardon Care Closet's Facebook page, buy and send items through its Amazon wish list, or make a financial donation - Checks should be made out to: "Chardon Board of Education - Attn: Care Closet" CONTACT KELLY | If you're thinking about bringing a Care Closet to your own school and would like to pick Kelly DiCato's brain about the lessons she's learned along the way with her project in Chardon, you can email her at [email protected]. SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK | If you'd like to share your thoughts on the Public Education Matters podcast, including your ideas for what you'd like to hear on future episodes, please email [email protected]. SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms. Click here for some of those links so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here. Featured Public Education Matters guest:  Kelly DiCato, Chardon Education Association MemberAn Algebra One teacher at Chardon High School, Kelly lives in Chardon with her two boys and her husband of 12 years. This school year is her 21st year of teaching, and her 21st year of teaching Algebra One - plus other preps, of course. DiCato loves exercising and running, gardening, playing her boys, and now, making sourdough bread :) Connect with OEA: Email [email protected] with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topics Like OEA on Facebook Follow OEA on Twitter Follow OEA on Instagram Get the latest news and statements from OEA here Learn more about where OEA stands on the issues  Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative Watch About us: The Ohio Education Association represents approximately 115,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools. Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award-winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children.  This episode was recorded on July 20, 2026. In this episode: 00:00 -A Community Steps Up 00:25 - Podcast introduction 02:37 - Meet Kelly DiCato 02:45 - From One Student's Story to a Schoolwide Resource 05:11 - Finding Space Inside the School 06:47 - The First Donations Arrive 08:49 - $17,000 in Community Support 11:41 - The Work Behind the Mission 13:30 - Why Helping Students Matters 15:42 - Removing Barriers to Student Success 17:48 - A Community That Always Says Yes 19:35 - Expanding the Impact Beyond Chardon 21:14 - A Community Effort 21:58 - Closing Thoughts 22:13 - Support the Chardon Care Closet