News  Worcester District Probation’s Hope’s Closet closes its doors after seven years

Worcester — This charitable effort provided clothing; shoes and boots; winter jackets; housewares; bedding and blankets; and toiletries as well as items for infants such as baby monitors and diapers to approximately 3,000 people over the years, according to recently retired Probation Office Manager Lois Ciuffredo, who along with Assistant Chief Probation Officer Dawnmarie Mahoney, Probation Officer Kerry Coakley, and Worcester District Probation staff managed the closet. Hope’s Closet was the first of its kind in the Massachusetts Court System and the longest running.

“Hope’s Closet served the needs of court users and the community. It also exemplified model Probation work which goes beyond the enforcement of conditions to include the support and engagement of those we work with,” said Commissioner Edward J. Dolan. 

Hope’s Closet outfitted children who were in court or going into the foster care system and it was not only open to court users.

“The closet was open to anyone who needed it. Many of the friends and families of clients used it as well as those who heard about it ‘word of mouth’ on the street,” Ms. Ciuffredo said. “We helped out people who were burned out of their homes. The Worcester Police and Worcester Fire Department often referred people to us.”   

“Hope’s Closet was like a community garden. Lois planted the seeds and tended to the garden’s growth. Many community members watered the garden and many benefited from its produce,” said Worcester District Chief Probation Officer Maureen Chamberlain.

In a letter to her colleagues, Ms. Ciuffredo wrote: “It is with great sadness I inform you of the closing of Hope's Closet. There is so much uncertainty about what tomorrow will bring and the new norm we are now living, it would be impossible to keep the closet open and be safe at the same time. Covid-19 has reduced office workers to small numbers on site as many workers are working remotely from home, and fewer members of the public are entering the courthouse.”

She added, “Hope’s Closet has been a wonderful program and the first in the state. We helped thousands of people over the last seven years and it was a privilege and so appreciated!”

Ms. Ciuffredo attributed the success of the program to those who donated items, helped sort and organize bags, and the many people who drove from cities and towns across the state to Worcester with their cars full of donated items for Hope’s Closet.