As the seasons change, so do the needs of patients at HCA HealthONE’s Mental Health and Wellness Center in Aurora. Recognizing a significant gap in patient care, Judith Wilson, a registered nurse, and Shelley Ilangikwa, a clinical therapist, created the Clothing Closet Project to ensure that everyone leaves the facility equipped with appropriate clothing for the weather.
“We saw that for the patients that we were both discharging, it was insufficient clothing all year round,” Wilson said. “We saw the need, and we decided to provide a solution for it.”
Launched in 2024, the project thrives on donations from hospital staff and the community, gathering clothes for all seasons, like warm winter coats, light jackets, summer attire, shoes and sandals.
Aurora hospital clothing closet ensures patients get weather-appropriate clothes
“We just wanted to be able to provide the patients with clothes that met every season,” Ilangikwa said. “I’m very proud that we are able to help others. It turned out to be more than we even expected that we would get.”…