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Posted by Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub| July 22, 2020

A local organization is making an incredible impact on the lives of teens and women in Metro Detroit’s homeless and domestic violence shelters.

Recently, 30 volunteers for The Clean Love Project gathered at the charitable organization’s headquarters in Huron Township and assembled 3,000 kits filled with personal care and hygiene products.

The Kits are delivered to multiple organizations throughout Metro Detroit, including Wayne County Safe, Covenant House, Community Housing Network, and Starfish Family Services.

Lacey Catarino, founder and executive director of The Clean Love Project, said that due to the current pandemic and the hit caused on the economy, the need for the items they pack has risen.

“Because of the economic strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need is greater than ever,” Catarino said. “Our volunteers packed a record-breaking number of kits. They are now being distributed to support teen girls and women and help alleviate the stress that comes with a woman’s monthly cycle.”

Donations and fundraisers are critical to the success of the program, Catarino said.

“In addition to our supporters, we have a number of key corporate sponsorships, such as Bombas socks and Starbucks.”

The Clean Love Project is a non-profit 501c3 organization with the mission of helping women and young girls feel clean, loved and empowered.

Since 2015, with the support of hundreds of people contributing 1,000 volunteer hours, The Clean Love Project has assembled and distributed 14,000 total kits.

“I started the project in 2015 with the help of a few friends and family members,” Catarino said. “Long story short, we put hygiene kits together for the homeless. In two years it grew into much more than that. At the end of 2017 the project became a 501c3 nonprofit organization with a focus on women and young girls in need in the Metro Detroit area.”

Catarino said the project hosts four assembling events each year right at her house in Huron Township.

At each event, “30 to 50 volunteers attend and assemble 1000-3000 kits,” she said. “Our goal this year is to distribute 10,000.”

The Clean Love Project partners with over 30 shelters, transitional housing programs, food pantries and school districts.

The organization is hosting its second annual golf outing planned for Saturday, Sept. 12 at Fox Hills Golf Course in Plymouth.

Individuals or organizations interested in the outing, or in partnering with The Clean Love Project can visit the website thecleanloveproject.org for more information.

Photos: June 2020 kit assembling event 

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