About Tailored for Education
Education is a fundamental human right and essential for the exercise of all other human rights. It promotes individual freedom and empowerment and yields important development benefits. Yet millions of children and adults remain deprived of educational opportunities, many as a result of poverty. Education is a powerful tool by which economically and socially marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty and participate fully as citizens.
Tailored for Education was founded in the Spring of 2011 by two friends who love children and saw a seemingly “easy” fix to a big problem. We believe that every child has the right to receive an education and a uniform should not stand in their way. All of the uniforms we provide also help create jobs for the local economies. We want to leave the communities of the children we help in a better place: more jobs and more children in school. Our goal is simple and would not be attainable without the help of our amazing donors. They encourage, inspire and believe in us and we are eternally grateful.
Megan and Jess became fast friends in 2008 when they started working together at an investment firm. Their career paths took them to graduate school at Boston College and upon finishing they started looking for a new project – one that would help others.
In the spring of 2011 a friend of Megan’s casually mentioned the need for school uniforms in many developing countries. As someone who loves children and sews as a hobby, the desire to help solve this problem was instinctive. After alerting Jess, a new mom who has always worked with children, to the problem many families face, she was immediately on board. Within a few short days, schools in need were identified, and with that validation we began to build Tailored for Education.
Our Partners
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$1 of every dress charm sold goes to us to help us provide school uniforms.
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For every blazer sold, 2PB works with us to prepare a school uniform to a girl in Africa.
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Bracelets made specially for Tailored for Education that help provide full-time jobs for local artisans in Costa Rica.
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For each gown sold, Celia Grace funds the manufacturing of one uniform.
Press
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WGBH, June 2016
"We both firmly believe in education and that is how we can change the world and get a lot of people out of poverty. That's the key here - education..."
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MarketWatch, April 2016
Michelle Obama to tell World Bank to increase spending on girls’ education: “By taking an interest in girl’s education on a global level, we enhance our own culture and create a world of thought leaders from all around the world...”
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Daily Hampshire Gazette, March 2016
"This year, Celia Grace is partnering with Tailored for Education, a Boston-based nonprofit that makes school uniforms for children in developing countries. For each gown sold by Celia Grace, Muehlke pays for one uniform to be made."
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Boston Herald, Nov 2015
"Hundreds of children across the globe are held back from attending school because they can’t afford the required clothing. Tailored for Education aims to change that by raising funds to provide proper scholastic attire to students around the world."
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Boston Common Magazine, Nov 2015
"Tailored for Education, a locally-based organization providing uniforms to students in need across the globe, hosted its second annual Tailored on the Town on November 3, 2015 at The Lenox Hotel...which included a runway show."
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Wicked Local Natick, April 2015
"Using the money they fundraise, the Tailored For Education works with established charities that give directly to needy children in countries where school uniforms are mandatory."
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Wicked Local Hamilton, March 2015
"In the process of raising money for school uniforms, often a requirement for a child to attend school, Tailored for Education helps the entire community to become self-sustaining..."
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Channel 5 News, Jan 2015
"Two local women are preparing to travel to the Caribbean nation. They are helping to improve the lives of thousands of children through a simple but effective mission."
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The Improper Bostonian, Jan 2015
"It might be part of the Lenox Hotel, but The Dome Room is more like a giant Wedgewood teapot, especially when decked out in blue for Tailored on the Town...a fundraiser for Tailored for Education..."
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Boston Common Magazine,
"More than 200 guests attended Tailored on the Town, which raised funds and awareness for the nonprofit Tailored for Education. Cofounders Megan Kelley and Jessica Roy took to the microphone to talk about the organizations mission..."
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Boston Common Magazine, Sept 2014
"A couple of years ago, getting an education seemed an impossible wish for Jane Achieng, a 14-year-old
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orphan from Siaya, Kenya...Yet thanks to Tailored for
Education, Achieng is finishing the seventh grade." -
WBZ Podcast, May 2014
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Mix 106 Podcast, May 2014
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Boston Globe Online, April 2014
Jessica Roy remembers her school uniform fondly. The white blouse and plaid skirt she wore to Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua was an equalizer that allowed her to skip the daily what-to-wear stress of being a kid."
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The Everygirl, Nov 2012
"Tailored for Education was born in May of 2011 with a mission to provide school uniforms to children living in poverty around the world. We hope to break the poverty cycle by providing students with the uniforms they need to stay in school..."
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Back Bay Patch, March 2012
"After looking into a slew of volunteer opportunities, Kelly told her friend Jessica Roy last May about the children in Tanzania and from there, the two joined up as founders and Tailored for Education was born."
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Milkshake Daily, March 2012
"You don't tend to think of a school uniform as a terribly important part of the educational process, but for some children, it can mean the difference between learning to read and staying at home."
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The Huffington Post, Feb 2012
"...in places like Tanzania and Haiti, where uniforms are required even at public schools, and children who can't afford uniforms can be severely punished, which only discourages attendance."
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Diocese of Nashville Newsletter, May 2012
“One of my friends casually mentioned that children in Tanzania were required to wear school uniforms in order to attend school...it was a shock to discover that $17 could keep a child from attending school," said Kelly.
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