YOUNGSTOWN — Two new care closets have opened at Choffin Career & Technical Center in collaboration with the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.

One closet will house food products, and the other will house personal hygiene and clothing items.

The initiative was spearheaded by Denise Zordich, assistant principal and dean of students. These closets will provide Choffin students with free access to essential personal and food items, ensuring that their basic needs are met so they can focus on their education, according to a news release from the career center.

The second-floor care closet offers all-new personal items, such as clothing and hygiene products, while the third-floor location is dedicated to nonperishable food items.

“This has been an incredible gift for our students — they truly appreciate it and have been so respectful of the spaces,” Zordich said. “As one of our instructors put it, ‘A full belly leads to a full mind.’ If a student misses breakfast or needs something more after lunch, having access to food can make all the difference in their day.”

United Way emphasized that this initiative aligns directly with its mission of ensuring that all students within the Youngstown City School District have access to essential resources.

In addition to her work in bringing the care closets to Choffin, Zordich also has led the Celebration of Life B STRONG initiative, a program dedicated to helping students navigate life’s challenges and cope with loss. This effort, now in its third year, was founded after Zordich experienced the loss of her son in December 2021.

This year’s Celebration of Life B STRONG brought students and staff together for meaningful programming, featuring a kickoff ceremony with a rose candle lighting and a guest speaker from Youth Intensive Services who addressed grief and loss. Students and staff received custom B STRONG T-shirts, designed by Choffin’s Digital Graphic Design & Imaging students, and participated in creative activities such as music sessions, poetry writing and canvas painting.

“Through initiatives like the care closets and Celebration of Life B STRONG, Choffin continues to foster a supportive and compassionate environment, ensuring students have the resources and emotional support they need to succeed,” the release states.