Hundreds of new pajamas are providing comfort to children across the Capital Region thanks in part to the work of students in the Skills for Employment, Life & Functional Independence (SELFI) Program. 
In partnership with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Christmas Pajamas Inc., and New York United Teachers (NYSUT), the SELFI team sorted 900 new pairs of pajamas and prepared them for delivery. Sorting took place at the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Extension Center in Albany with the help of volunteers from the BOCES community.
SELFI Students Skylar Britton and EJ Propper said they were excited to be giving back to children during the holidays. “Especially for those who may be homeless, in foster care or don’t have money. I just think it’s important to give back to the community,” said Britton. 
The SELFI team’s contributions supported Christmas Pajamas’ goal to deliver 4,000 pajamas to children in need this year. Lynn Fraim, founder of Christmas Pajamas Inc., said the pajamas will go to “[about] 17 local nonprofits and over 100 local low-income families.” According to the organization’s Facebook page, a total of 4,422 pairs were distributed.
The partnership between the SELFI Program and Christmas Pajamas Inc. was forged through their mutual connection to Plato’s Closet, which houses pajamas donation boxes and is also a work site for the work-based learning SELFI Program.
The Capital Region BOCES SELFI Program is designed to help students between the ages of 18 to 21 be employable, independent, and give back to their community. Learn more about Work-Based Learning and our other Special Education programming for students, kindergarten through age 21.