Bremen High School has long had clothing and hygiene products available for students in need, scattered in various storage areas at the school in Midlothian.

But thanks to the school’s longtime chief custodian, Eugene Reyna, all that has changed.

“We came in over the summer and she (Principal Jessica Rucinski) said, let me show you this,” said Jessica Null, a social worker at the school.

Just off the gymnasium, a newly painted bright red door led to racks of neatly organized clothing and shelves of toiletries.

It was a far cry from the dingy closet that had been there before being upgraded by Reyna, who’s been at the school for 13 years.

“I do think it’s nice to have everything in a centralized location where we can offer students in a discreet way,” Null said. “It’s good for them. It’s one less thing they have to worry about when they’re at school.”

Reyna worked last summer to transform the utility space into something that now resembles a pantry.

“We’re fortunate we have a very talented chief custodian — he brought this to life,” said Rucinski. “We just said we wanted a nice space where kids felt comfortable going to.”

The principal said the school has offered a micropantry for about a decade, but there was a need for something more. And as soon as the call for donations went out, many people helped fill what’s now known as The Braves Closet.

“We’re blessed to have so many generous people in the community, that we’re overflowing,” said Don Ligon, a school social worker who helped organize the project. “We did a clothing drive with staff, which really got a lot of great clothes.”

Principal Jessica Rucinski displays items available at The Braves Closet at Bremen High School in Midlothian. Chief custodian Eugene Reyna was instrumental in transforming the closet into a more welcoming space. (Janice Neumann/Daily Southtown)

Ligon said he and other social workers sometimes heard from teachers about students in need.

“If (students) request it or sometimes a teacher, who knows students the best, will say, ‘Hey can you check in with so and so, they don’t have a coat,’” Ligon said.

Students can ask for help discreetly, Ligon said, by using a student app or telling a social worker or teacher. There’s no sign on the closet door either, to avoid broadcasting who’s using it.

To ensure a good selection of items for students to choose from, Ligon said he traded extra items with other district schools that offer similar pantries.

“I know what it’s like to have a student or family ask for help and not have the resources,” he said.

The Braves Closet offers items including women’s blouses, men’s polo shirts, pants, sweaters, sweat shirts, warm jackets, shoes, as well as new socks, underwear and backpacks. Local nonprofit organizations including The Bridge Teen Center, Kabod House International, Open Arms 101 and Be Encouraged Now have donated.

Vanessa Martinez is one of the students at Bremen High School who volunteer to help with The Braves Closet at the school in Midlothian. (Janice Neumann/Daily Southtown)

Students have been involved in the efforts, too, helping organize, label and fold clothing, as well as clean the space.

“I think it is pretty important because there are many students at Bremen who struggle,” said Vanessa Martinez, a junior who volunteers at the closet. “And also it offers a sense of security, less stress and helps them focus on learning instead of what they don’t have.”

Fellow student Mary Contreras said she got involved with the Closet because she enjoys helping out with her school community “in any way I can.”

“I loved the idea of having somewhere where students could take what they needed privately and as often as they needed,” Contreras said.

Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/10/bremen-braves-closet-help/