decorahnews.com feature: Kaden's Kloset is helping children in need feel good about themselves

"It's important to feel confident in yourself--and clothes can do that for you."

That's the explanation given by Decorah resident Angela LaBelle as to why she and her husband Mike started the "Kadens Kloset" program in Decorah this summer.  During its first five months in operation the program has given free clothing and other necessities to a total of 100 kids in NE Iowa.

Tuesday the couple appeared before the Decorah Rotary Club to explain the origins of the program, which is aimed at helping foster children and other children who are in need.

Angela noted that when foster kids switch houses, they often arrive at their new home with all of their possessions in a plastic bag.  Often the clothing inside that bag is no longer the right size or is torn or hasn't been washed.

So Kadens Kloset offers clothing to kids for free.  Once a month people can come to the program in the basement of the Decorah Covenant Church on Washington Street in Decorah and get clothing, footwear and other items donated by individuals and businesses in the community.

"It's been successful so far because of the generosity of our community," Angela LaBelle told Rotary Club members.

The LaBelles say Kadens Kloset will eventually be housed in a two-story annex building to the west of the Decorah Covenant Church main building, taking up the second story of the building.  Work is underway on rehabbing the building to accommodate Kadens Kloset.

More information about Kadens Kloset in Decorah is available at their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kadensklosetdecorah/