1 in 3 children in Massachusetts experiences clothing insecurity.
Underwear is even less accessible because it is rarely donated since it needs to be new.
Cocotree Kids is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides new underwear for at-risk youth in Massachusetts.
An often overlooked donation, new underwear provides children with confidence, comfort, and dignity to face the road ahead of them.
Watch our feature on WBZ News below!
Our Mission
Cocotree Kids provides new underwear to underserved youth in Massachusetts for their dignity and security.
What’s the meaning behind “Cocotree”?
When our founder Catherine’s daughter was a toddler, she loved Christmas so much but pronounced it “Cocotrees.” She would call anything that brought her joy a “Cocotree”—whether it was something she saw outside or a toy. Catherine’s hope is to bring as much happiness to children through Cocotree Kids as the joy that was captured through her daughter.
COCOTREE KIDS INSTAGRAM
COCOTREE KIDS INSTAGRAM
Why Underwear?
Outer clothing, shoes, and toys are often donated…but underwear is not.
Underwear needs to be new.
Many children often resort to reusing soiled underwear, wearing hand-me-downs that do not fit, or going completely without for the following reasons:
Families facing financial hardship have to focus on food and other necessities first, so the unseen layer that should be replaced every 6-12 months is often last on the list.
Families living in poverty don’t always have easy access to laundry facilities.
Children displaced from homes leave with only the clothes on their backs.
Cocotree Kids collects and distributes kids’ underwear (sizes 2T-16) to support at-risk youth across Massachusetts.
“This was me as a young child. It was absolutely mortifying for me to not have clean underwear.
You have no idea how impactful this is for a child who has no other options for undergarments.”
— Anonymous
It’s more than just underwear.
Underwear provides a critical layer of support. Children are less likely to attend school or play outside if they don’t have underwear. When kids feel comfortable, they can maintain a strong focus on education, personal goals, and simply enjoy playtime with confidence.