Incidental lessons: The Lena Shawp
- 55 minutes ago
- 5 min read
By Regie Marie D. Plana-Alcuaz (siya/they/she), BCTF Committee for Action on Social Justice member and integration support teacher, Surrey
A wondrous sight greets visitors to Lena Shaw Elementary School, one of the largest elementary schools in Surrey. In the north hallway, under a sign reading, “The Lena Shawp,” there is a rack of clean coats, lunch bags, and backpacks and seven bins filled with shoes and neatly folded clothing. During the day, students will pass by and check out what’s available. It’s a way for students to simply take what they need—no questions asked.
Free clothing initiatives blur the line between public space and mutual aid. They are especially useful in cold climates, where seasonal attire is necessary. They signify that there is a community that cares for anyone who finds themselves in need. This kind of undertaking carries a positive psychological impact not only for the receivers but also for the givers. It enables people to practise sustainability and provide access.
The Lena Shawp is the initiative of Rena Wells, a learning support teacher (LST) who has worked in education for 20 years, with the last 9 being at Lena Shaw. She began as an inclusive education support worker (IESW) and has been teaching for 14 years, almost entirely at less-advantaged schools. Lena Shaw has around 740 students and is in a densely populated urban neighbourhood. There is a breakfast and lunch program, among other wrap-around services typically associated with a high-needs community.
“Giving a child a warm winter jacket and gloves, or new boots that fit … it’s the best.” – Rena Wells
When asked about the inception of The Lena Shawp, Rena shared, “A teacher at my children’s school asked me if we could use their lost and found items that would otherwise be thrifted. We had a little makeshift clothing area at that time, but this gave me the push to turn it into something more. There was such a great response to the Shawp that I quickly started gathering clothes from my family and friends—and they all now know to call me before they thrift anything. Our staff contributes and even some of our school families.”
The name started out as The Lena Shaw Shop then another colleague, Ben Ouimet, came up with The Lena Shawp.
Rena collects donations as often as she can. Last year, she opened up the Shawp at two large community events: the Winter Market, which was open to the public, and the Art Crawl, where families were invited into the school to see a large display of student art. Rena set up several tables of clothing for families to help themselves from. That allowed her to make room for new stuff. If she notices that something has been there for a long time, it will be donated. The Shawp also puts out special bins for things like Halloween costumes in October and warm pajamas in the winter. When kids are looking for specific items, Rena takes note so she can let them know if that item becomes available.
All items in the shop come by donation from staff, families, friends, and friends of friends. For example, Kelsey Blaby, who teaches at Katzie Elementary, washes and bags all of Katzie’s unclaimed lost and found items for the Shawp.
“Many students excitedly try on different things—jackets, gloves, and toques—searching for one that fits just right and proudly showing their friends when they find the perfect item,” said Navi Jhutti, a child/youth care worker. “It is especially meaningful to see students helping one another look for sizes or suggesting items, creating a sense of kindness and community. It’s a welcoming, supportive space.”
Stacy Zaboysky, a fellow LST at Lena Shaw, shares that Rena also organizes the school’s Christmas hampers off the side of her desk. Stacy described how Rena “collects a lot of the donations, shops for all the items, solicits money from businesses and the community, mostly by herself. She also knows which families need support and help, making sure that even little ones who aren’t of school age yet have the clothes they need. She is super organized when collecting for the hampers at Christmas; each family has a code that indicates who they are, how many in the family, and their dietary needs.”
This system of community care provides hope and comfort to recipients without compromising their self-esteem. When this kind of attitude is cultivated and normalized, it becomes more natural for folks to practise mindful living. This is peripheral mental and emotional learning alongside the academic lessons that schools are expected to provide. According to Lena Shaw’s principal, Natalie Roberts, “What stands out most about The Lena Shawp is the genuine sense of belonging it brings to our school community. When students know that they can quietly access what they need, they feel not only supported, but truly cared for. There is something incredibly powerful about that.”
It has been a labour of love for Rena. “We have tons of repeat ‘customers’ who love checking in every few days to see if there’s anything new. Students who frequent the Shawp will stop by with their friends when they need something. Parents will pop in before or after school to have a look. I hope that it has brought some comfort and relief to families. Giving a child a warm winter jacket and gloves, or new boots that fit, or some nearly new hoodies or pants that might be an extra their families can’t always afford—it’s the best. It might be my favourite part of my job,” said Rena.
Vice-principal Jessy Sandhu finds it very inspiring to see a parent and child looking through the Shawp and adds that Rena “doesn’t always see all the folks she’s helping.”
The Lena Shawp has also been a boon for teachers, IESWs, and early childhood educators—especially in instances when dry pants and socks are needed for students who have had accidents or decide to go down the slide after a heavy rain. No additional callouts for assistance are necessary; everyone knows that they can just shop at the Shawp. If people no longer want these items, they can just come back and return them. This circular model demonstrates sustainability, allowing teachers to model what they teach. Natalie considers Rena’s leadership as integral to the Shawp being more than just a clothing initiative. “The Shawp is a beautiful expression of compassion, generosity, and love in action at Lena Shaw.”
