Service Partners
Serving Families Collaboratively
Our extensive network of Service Partners is the crucial link between Cradles to Crayons and the children we serve. Everything we distribute is in partnership with organizations that provide a variety of services and meet a range of needs. This partnership model allows us to all focus on what we uniquely do best.
Cradles to Crayons works with more than 280 Service Partners. Our Partners use our mobile Partner Portal to place orders for essentials; each order is based on the needs of a specific child in their care. These orders are processed and packaged in The Giving Factory and are then ready for pickup by our Service Partners, who deliver them directly to the families. Together, we distribute over 5 million items annually in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
We are a Mission Critical Partner
Service Partners share that Cradles to Crayons is a reliable, key partner in their work—and we continue to fill gaps with high-quality items that no other community or governmental resource can provide.
- Cradles to Crayons’ partnership is world-class, with a net promoter score of 96.
- 99% of Service Partners agree that Cradles to Crayons helps them deliver on their mission.
- 87% of Service Partners could not find the items Cradles to Crayons provides free of charge elsewhere.
Cradles to Crayons and our Service Partners collectively serve racially and linguistically diverse, tight-knit, caring, and committed communities. 82% of the families C2C supports make under $30,000 a year—which is under the federal poverty line—and more than half earn less than $10,000 a year. Working with Cradles to Crayons ensures better success for Service Partners and the families they serve.
The family is currently experiencing financial hardship. Providing this assistance would significantly alleviate the financial burden on the parents and help ensure the children’s essential needs are met.
Several of our families are currently experiencing financial hardship and have shared challenges meeting basic needs, including clothing and diapers. Access to these essential items will help reduce immediate stress and ensure children have what they need for daily care, comfort, and school readiness.
How We Serve Our Partners
The role fulfilled by our diverse network of Service Partners is a crucial link between Cradles to Crayons and the children we serve. Our whole focus is to make our collaborative process as easy and streamlined as possible. This helps us to empower the children we serve collaboratively — at home, at school, and at play — by providing the everyday essentials that match their individual needs.
Everyday Essentials Program
Our signature, year-round distribution program allows hundreds of Service Partners to regularly request everyday essential items on behalf of the children they are working with. These orders include clothing, coats, shoes, socks, underwear, diapers, wipes, and more. Items are picked up from the Giving Factory, then distributed within the communities we serve in collaboration with our partners.
Ready for Learning Backpack Program
Each year, during the back-to-school season, Cradles to Crayons provides a high volume of backpacks through local school districts to get students Ready for Learning.
Seasonal Essentials Delivered Program
Cradles to Crayons partners with public school districts, Family Resource Centers, and DCF sites to deliver seasonally appropriate clothing, outerwear, and basic essentials through this biannual program. Seasonal Essentials Delivered provides predictable, targeted support to partners throughout our service radius, increasing our impact and reach.