Since 2011, Little Essentials has been helping children in need of clothing and supplies, as well as reaching out to their families with health and safety education. We were lucky enough to interview its Founder and President- the ambitious, driven, kind, and amazing Sandie Trombert. Our mission was to learn more about the organization, and to spread its message to those who can help, or who may need help from it. Please take a read and enjoy!
1) Can you tell us about Little Essentials? What exactly do you do?
Little Essentials’ mission is to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of children living in poverty by providing urgently needed resources and parenting education to families in crisis. We collect gently used children clothing and shoes (newborn to 4 years), as well as gear (pack and plays, strollers, car seats) and diapers (opened packages are ok), and re-distribute them to families in need. We also offer maternal health, child development and safety classes to these same families. Classes are taught by the incredible staff at Tribecca Pediatrics.
2) How can people reading this article help the cause of Little Essentials?
As is the case for all not-for-profit organizations, our greatest need is for financial donations to help cover the cost of our small staff and the warehouse where we accept, sort, store and prepare donations for distribution. We also need volunteers and of course donations of goods. Financial donations can be made via our website. Donations of good are accepted during designated hours at our warehouse in Gowanus. Volunteers can sign up here.
3) What would you say your proudest moments have been with what you have been able to do for people?
One moment that stands out in particular was when we received a call from one of our partners asking us to help a mother in desperate need. She had an 8-year-old son and a premature newborn requiring oxygen to live. While they were not homeless, she did not have to means to purchase a bed and all three of them were sleeping on the floor. Little Essentials was able to provide a crib and other supplies for the newborn to keep him safe and healthy, and a bed for the mother and son. We have an amazing community of parents in Brooklyn who are always willing to jump in and help the less fortunate, and for that I am so thankful.
4) With homelessness in NYC escalating to record highs, do you deal with more children and mothers than ever that need help now?
During the Great Depression, there were 20,000 homeless children in the NYC shelter system. In the 90s that number dropped to around 8,000 children, today we have over 23,000 homeless children in NYC shelters! It’s staggering. Little Essentials helps these homeless children and we’re also very focused on helping young women in foster care who have become mothers – this population often ends up homeless. Children should not be growing up in the dangerous shelter system. Our organization is small and we do what we can, but this is an epidemic which the city of New York will have to resolve or there will be grave consequences for the future of our society.
5) What can women who may need help with clothing, baby products, or housing do to seek help within the NYC system?
Little Essentials does not offer services to individuals. Instead, we have partnered with other organizations such as The Legal Aid Society Juvenile Division, the Administration for Children’s Services and others who help these children. We do this so we can be sure that the items go directly to those who need them most. With the small staff we have, it would be too difficult for us to serve individuals.
6) How is Little Essentials growing, and what is its next phase going to be?
Since 2011, we have helped over 19,000 children. We are almost entirely volunteer run with one-part time employee. My husband and I have dedicated our time for the last five years to make this happen. It’s been extremely taxing for our family, but the rewards have been immeasurable. We hope to grow and expand our services to all of New York City and, if funding permits, staff-up. There’s so much more to be done and we can do it with the help of all NYC mothers willing to chip in.
Little Essentials’ Founder and President, Sandie Trombert
To contact Little Essentials, email them at: info@littleessentials.org
If you would like to volunteer, click HERE
If you would like to donate, click HERE