During the event people are asked to make difficult decisions to get by in “life,” represented by 20-minute intervals. Using important decision making and prioritization, those involved with COPE can share a different perspective with attendees.

Christopher Pflaum, an adjunct biology professor and event facilitator, cited the event as being “an experience that can be a catalyst to bring forward our thoughts and feeling about poverty.”

Brookdale is clearly doing their part to inform, but how is the issue of poverty being resolved?

Clara’s Closet, located in MAN 214, is “a compassionate, community-driven effort dedicated to collecting, sorting and sharing gently worn clothing with individuals who need it most,” as stated on the website.

Clara’s Closet mission statement is to “Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.”

In addition to casual, business and formal clothing, Clara’s Closet offers students access to shoes, jewelry, and even ties.

“I think it’s great. Since it’s free it gives everyone the ability to have these things even if they can’t afford it and want to dress better. Instead of going to Goodwill or Target, it’s more available to students here,” said Aaron Cangialosi, a 19-year-old mechanical engineering major.

Clara’s Closet is open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays.  Students are encouraged to visit and to see their work and collection of donated clothes firsthand.

Fatima Carranza, an Eatontown resident, is part of the staff for Clara’s Closet satellite location here at Brookdale. Carranza came into her work at Lunch Break from previous work with children. “Working with kids [and] working with families is a soft spot of mine,” Carranza said. She noted that her family is El Salvadorian and as such she recalls having spent much time translating for her own family.

“So, when I got older, I really wanted to give back in a way that I could be able to use me being bilingual as a skill to help my community,” Carranza said.

Lunch Break is the nonprofit organization that runs Clara’s Closet. Carranza first started there as an intake and resource navigator for Red Bank events. During this time Lunch Break in Red Bank was under renovation, and as a result, the satellite location was established at Brookdale’s Lincroft campus in 2023.

“I believe that everyone should use our services comfortably, you know, and just know that we’re there for them,” Carranza added.

“Our community is important… Everyone in that community is important, and you are important,” she said.

With prom right around the corner Carranza has involved herself with several prom-related drives with the end goal being to “give a second life” to dresses and suits for the kids that may need them.