DeWanna Tarver is the driving force behind DeWanna’s Community Closet, an organization that makes sure students have what they need to succeed in school and beyond. She has built a system that schools and educators rely on. What began with a small collection of extra uniforms in her closet has grown into an essential resource for Calcasieu Parish schools that helps thousands of students and teachers each year.

A simple decision to buy a few extra uniforms during a back-to-school sale opened DeWanna’s eyes to a much larger need. Conversations with teachers and community members soon revealed how widespread the need was, with many students missing essentials that created barriers to learning. As she learned more about those challenges and realized her own husband had faced the same growing up, she felt inspired and called to do more.

Today, DeWanna’s Closet provides far more than clothing and school supplies. It helps students feel prepared and able to focus on learning without added worries. Working directly with teachers and staff in Calcasieu Parish, DeWanna’s Closet provides essentials like uniforms, food and classroom materials, as well as weekend meals through its Food for Thought program. By meeting these needs, it removes obstacles that stand in the way of education and gives students the chance to succeed with confidence — all components critical to their education and health.

DeWanna is known for her generosity, persistence and deep commitment to the children in her community. Her work has shaped the educational journey of countless young people, creating opportunities they might not have had otherwise. And with every uniform, backpack and meal delivered, there’s a reminder of one woman’s determination to make sure no child is left behind.