Catherine Maloy -329

There’s a stigma around the word “underwear”. You don’t talk about it until you don’t have it. -Catherine Maloy

This week’s guest is a mom who saw a simple need for children in crisis and made it her mission to do something about it. Catherine Maloy is the Founder & Executive Director of a non-profit called Cocotree Kids www.cocotreekids.org. Let’s all agree: underwear is not glamorous, but it is fundamental. Without it, children may feel shamed, vulnerable, and excluded. Conceived during the pandemic and launched as a neighborhood clothing drive, Cocotree Kids has established 30 partnerships with hospitals, shelters, and schools, distributing 430,000 pairs of new underwear to 60,000 children throughout Massachusetts. “Underwear is an essential human need,” says Catherine. We want to give children in crisis the dignity, hope, comfort, and confidence they need to succeed, despite their circumstances.“ Originally from Miami, Florida, Catherine was raised in a home where philanthropic acts of service connected family to community. A 14-year veteran of Deloitte with a focus on Consulting and Human Resources, Catherine offers this advice: “Be a part of something bigger than yourself. Success is something you are supposed to be proud of.” For 20 minutes of empathy and innovation, just hit that download button. #children #non-profit #crisis #community