Our Mission
The Care Locker Initiative is a nonprofit focused on creating reliable access to hygiene items and other basic essentials for children. We believe that small acts of kindness provide the strength and confidence people need to keep going. Our care is delivered through discreet, consistent access points designed to support dignity, routine, and reliability.
Our Approach
We build community partnerships to provide care lockers stocked with essentials for children who lack access due to circumstances beyond their control. Our model is built on three pillars:
- Community Partnership: Working with trusted local sites to identify needs.
- Consistent Supply: Replenishing one-month kits on an agreed-upon schedule.
- Essential Care: Focusing on health and dignity through routine access.
What's Inside Our Care Kits?
- Soap & Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Menstrual care
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Bandages
- Antiseptic wipes
- Combs
- Hair ties
Meet the Founder - Dominique "Nikki" Branca
"I started the Care Locker Initiative as a way to provide a safe place and consistency for youths to get items that they need without fear or judgement."
Dominique "Nikki" Branca founded this initiative from a place of personal experience. Growing up in a home where basic needs often went unmet due to poverty and instability, she learned early on how to navigate difficult situations with resilience.
Her experience with the Pace Center for Girls as a teenager proved that access, consistency, and dignity can change a young person's trajectory. This environment helped her understand her worth and find the strength to help others.
Today, Nikki shares that strength to support the "little girl she once was" by ensuring other children feel safe and cared for. Through Care Locker Initiative, she offers small acts of kindness to help children find the confidence to persevere through difficult times.