To support student well-being and foster a stronger sense of community, Windsor Law students have launched the Windsor Cares Community Collective, providing a food pantry and community closet for their peers. The project aims to alleviate some of the financial strain that can come with law school.
Windsor Cares was founded by law students Emily Kydd, Meg Gregoire, Gigi Joseph, and Hannah Joseph, who brought their individual projects together to create a one-stop space where students can access essential items including non-perishable food, frozen meals, hygiene products, school supplies, books, and professional clothing.
Law students Gigi Joseph, Meg Gregoire, Emily Kydd, and Hannah Joseph have founded a project to provide food and clothing to their peers in need.
The Community Closet, spearheaded by Gigi and Hannah Joseph, began with a single rack of professional wear at Legal Assistance of Windsor. It has since grown into a robust program that collects, repairs, and redistributes clothing, ensuring all students have access to the attire they need for interviews, court appearances, and professional events.
"The Closet began with just one rack of clothing, and now it's a reflection of Windsor's commitment to access to justice and student support," says Gigi Joseph.
Hannah Joseph adds: "Windsor Cares has grown because of the incredible backing from faculty, students, and the broader community."
The space also features an information hub, offering students curated resources on local food banks, legal clinics, counselling services, and mental health supports.
"The essentials pantry is grounded in harm reduction, mutual aid, and community care," Kydd says. "Law school can be isolating, stressful, and expensive. This space is about showing up for one another providing essentials like food, hygiene products, harm reduction supplies, and even books, without stigma or judgment."
The Windsor Cares Collective is located in Room 3102 in the WeirFoulds Zone in the law building and is open during regular building hours. Students are encouraged to take what they need and give what they can, whether that's a can of soup, a gently-used suit, or a favourite book.
Donors for the food pantry so far include the University of Windsor Students' Alliance, Lawyers Feed the Hungry - Windsor chapter, McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP, Windsor Public Library, and law students.
Clothing and closet donations were received from Maycourt Club of Windsor, Reitmans, Rw&Co, Full Circle Vintage, Julia Romano (Jules the Lawyer on Tiktok), Ricki's, Old Navy, Mark's, Bennet Jones, Jack & Jones, and Windsor Law students, faculty, and alumni.
Donation drives will be held throughout the year, and the pantry will rely on continued support from the law school community and local partners. Anyone interested in contributing or volunteering is invited to reach out to windsorcares@uwindsor.ca.
