The problem is simple: Clothing is expensive, and many children in underserved communities go without.
We provide new clothing, essential items and other services so that children and youth have the resources to safely develop to their potential.
That all people have the dignity and self-confidence to reach their unique potential.
Lack of clothing not only exposes youth to potential health and safety risks, but it also makes them feel excluded, invisible, and undervalued among their peers, hindering their socialization and education. We believe that clothing is a basic human right and that every child is worthy of having clothes that make them feel confident and secure.
NGA was founded in 1885 in Philadelphia, PA by Mrs. Alanson Hartpence, her niece Mrs. Laura Safford Steward and six of her friends. They were inspired by Lady Wolverton's Queen Mary's London Needlework Guild. Following the model of the Queen Mary's London Needlework Guild, the Needlework Guild of America in its first year made 921 garments to distribute to children in hospitals, orphanages, and to individuals and families who were needy. They made each child two articles of clothing: one to wash and one to wear.
As a result, NGA spread rapidly throughout the United States, and by the 1900s there were 300 branches in twenty states. Through its long history of giving, NGA has been led by many strong, caring women, including two First Ladies of the United States of America: Mrs. Theodore "Edith" Roosevelt and Mrs. Grover “Frances” Cleveland. Edith Roosevelt in joining the then Farmingdale, NY Branch, stated, "...President Roosevelt had once said he knew of no work which accomplished so much with so little individual effort." Frances Cleveland Preston was a member during the Great Depression of the 1930s, she led the Needlework Guild of America in its clothing drive for the poor.
Today, there are 15 NGA branches in seven states that are operated by dedicated volunteers. Each branch operates independently from each other and the National office.
NGA’s National office is located in Warminster, PA. It received its land through a land grant given by the United States Naval Air Force when the Naval Air Defense Center closed. Through the tireless efforts of the executive director in 2000, NGA raised the funds to build its current home. Today, NGA is managed by a paid executive director and operates with a dedicated team of volunteers, and has forged working relationships and alliances with many community organizations. NGA depends on the dedication of its volunteers to fulfill its mission.
Since its founding, NGA has provided many individuals and families with basic necessities on an annual basis. The necessities are not covered by supplemental governmental programs. In addition to its on-going work to support homeless, low and moderate income individuals, NGA National and its branches have provided items in times of national crisis, wars, natural disasters, and economic and financially crippling events that cause hardships for individuals and families.
It is often asked, "Why does NGA only give new clothing?" The answer goes back to our founders who believed, "New clothes equalize, used clothes pauperize."
Thank you very much for your generous donation of high quality clothing to the families of Northampton borough Elementary students."
Second-hand clothing programs focus solely on the clothes, reinforcing inferior self-perception and neglecting the whole human behind the need.
At NGA, we understand that new clothes bring about dignity, confidence, and tell a child: 'You are worthy.'
Here's what we've done in 2022:
Distributed over 6,065 clothing & essential items in 2022 to schools and agencies in Orange County, CA.
Distributed over 11,681 clothing & essential items to agencies in Los Angeles County, CA.
Distributed clothing & essential items to more than 4,000 students in the Polk County School District, Florida.
Distributed over 22,543 clothing & essential items to schools and agencies in Genesee County, MI.
Distributed over 1,000 clothing & essential items to schools and agencies in Salem County, NJ.
Distributed over 8,874 clothing & essential items to schools and agencies in Mercer County, NJ.
Distributed over 16,854 clothing & essential items to schools and agencies across three PA counties.
This merged chapter distributed over 14,959 clothing & essential items to schools and agencies in three southeastern PA counties.
Distributed close to 3,000 clothing & essential items to four agencies in Bucks County, PA.
Distributed over 6,723 clothing & essential items to schools and agencies in Lycoming County, PA.
Distributed over 23,000 clothing & essential items to agencies across three southeastern PA counties.
NGA National Office serves school districts and agencies in the greater Philadelphia area and provides support to NGA branches. Distributed more than 25,000 clothes and essential items in 2022.
Serves schools and community organizations in Venango County, PA.
Distributed over 13,053 clothing & essential items to schools and agencies in Grayson County, TX.
Distributed over 9,197 clothing & essential items to schools and agencies in Salem City, VA.
You will need a group of volunteers no less than five people, who are willing to form the official branch. NGA branch members will collect, contribute and distribute items through approved 501(c)(3) organizations and school districts.
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Other solutions focus on the clothes themselves, but what we’re solving for are the real issues underneath.
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