We recently connected with Sandie Trombert and have shared our conversation below.

Sandie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

In June 2010, a pivotal moment unfolded in the life of our founder and Board Chairman, Sandie Trombert. A single post within her neighborhood parenting group became the catalyst for a profound transformation — one that would impact not only her life but also the lives of thousands of underprivileged children in New York.

The post in question was a plea from a volunteer at a city agency, shedding light on the plight of a pregnant mother residing in a homeless shelter desperately in need of baby clothes. What unfolded next was a stark and poignant contrast as subsequent posts from parents offered surplus clothing, strollers, car seats, and various other items their families no longer required.

Witnessing this disparity, Sandie Trombert took immediate action. Contacting the generous parents willing to donate, she embarked on a mission to collect the items from her neighborhood. With her six-month-old baby by her side, she diligently gathered the contributions and delivered them to the agency, bridging the gap between those with excess and those in dire need.

In the ensuing months, Sandie fostered connections between parents eager to contribute and local agencies dedicated to supporting low-income families. This altruistic endeavor culminated in the birth of Little Essentials in May 2011.
From its humble origins as a grassroots initiative operating out of Sandie’s living room, Little Essentials has evolved into a well-established organization with a staff and a warehouse in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Through collaborative efforts with community partners, dedicated volunteers, a committed Board of Directors, an esteemed Advisory Board, and a passionate Committee, the organization has successfully served over 56,000 children living in poverty. The journey from that fateful parenting group post to the growth and impact of Little Essentials exemplifies the power of community, compassion, and a commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Sandie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Little Essentials is dedicated to providing essential support to at-risk families living in poverty, specifically catering to the urgent needs of children aged five and younger. Our mission encompasses not only the immediate provision of crucial children’s supplies but also the promotion of health, well-being, and safety through comprehensive parenting education.

We execute our mission and vision through our Three E’s:
• Empowerment: We empower the community by alleviating the stress associated with living in poverty. Through the provision of essential children’s supplies, we aim to lighten the burden on families facing challenging circumstances.
• Education: We believe in equipping families with the necessary tools and resources to strengthen both parenting and individual skills. Our educational initiatives extend beyond material aid, fostering self-sufficiency and resilience among the families we serve.
• Elimination of Poverty: Taking a bold step further, we actively contribute to poverty elimination by supporting families and providing financial compensation to parents who become employees of Little Essentials. This multifaceted approach underscores our commitment to creating sustainable pathways out of poverty.

We collaborate with over 60 shelters, social service agencies, and community organizations throughout New York City. This extensive network allows us to efficiently provide urgently needed children’s supplies to at-risk families.

For our donations program, we actively solicit donations of baby and children’s clothing and gear, including diapers, car seats, strollers, and pack-n-plays. These items are stored in our warehouse located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Our community partners place orders based on the real-time needs of the families they serve. We meticulously bundle these orders at our warehouse for distribution to families in need.

We also offer educational workshops aimed at deepening our impact on struggling NYC families. These workshops cover a range of topics and are facilitated by educational leaders who generously volunteer their time. Open to all NYC families, these workshops are entirely free of charge and include classes on practical budgeting, recognizing learning disabilities in children, inspiring early reader literacy, and GED test preparation.

Little Essentials stands as a beacon of hope, striving not only to meet immediate needs but also to empower families on their journey toward self-sufficiency and a brighter future.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In the bustling streets of New York City, where dreams are both crafted and challenged, I embarked on a life-altering journey as a young immigrant from rural France. The decision to leave behind the shadows of poverty and seek the elusive American dream defined the narrative of my family’s migration.

Our initial years in the city were far from the envisaged utopia. Living in the shadows of domestic violence and grappling with food insecurity became the stark backdrop of my formative years. I recall the bitter bite of cold winters, a constant reminder of our struggle, exacerbated by a lack of suitable clothing for the unforgiving temperatures of New York City.

Fast forward to today, and I find myself at the helm of success as a social entrepreneur and the Vice President of Client Experience at a prestigious NYC advertising agency. Reflecting on those challenging times, I’ve come to realize how they served as the crucible that forged my resilience. The difficulties of my childhood have molded me into a person capable of navigating the complexities of life with unwavering determination.

Yet, these moments of adversity also bestowed upon me a precious gift – the ability to empathize with the plight of the impoverished, a group often overlooked and unfairly judged. The harsh reality of those early years instilled in me an innate drive to make a positive impact, to extend a helping hand to those facing struggles akin to my own upbringing.

The experience of enduring hardship has not only shaped my character but has also fueled a burning desire to give back to a community that often goes unnoticed. Empathy propels me to champion the cause of the less fortunate. I firmly believe that it is in our shared experiences of vulnerability that we find the strength to uplift and empower others.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The inception of Little Essentials marked the beginning of a formidable journey, and, truth be told, the early stages were rife with challenges. Armed with a law degree and a wealth of business experience, I felt well-prepared for the logistical intricacies of building an organization. However, one aspect loomed as an uncharted territory: fundraising.

The notion of soliciting financial support was, at best, discomforting. In the nascent stages of our organization, with most foundation grants beyond our reach due to our newness, the initial lifeline came from the generosity of friends and family. Having relinquished my job, I plunged into the endeavor, working tirelessly alongside dedicated volunteers to fulfill orders. It meant traversing the diverse neighborhoods of Brooklyn, often in less-than-ideal conditions, with my two young children in tow.

The journey was undoubtedly arduous, yet the profound satisfaction of knowing we were making a difference in the lives of children in need fueled my determination. However, as with any noble cause, resources were finite, and we soon found ourselves facing a budgetary impasse. The difficult decision to halt all operations for a year was made, a hiatus that proved to be a pivotal moment in the trajectory of Little Essentials.

During this hiatus, I contemplated the missed opportunities to aid children in need, a heart-wrenching pause that weighed heavily on my conscience. Yet, it was also a period of introspection and strategic recalibration. Armed with a deeper understanding of the organization’s needs, I embarked on a transformative journey to fortify Little Essentials for sustainable growth.

A significant turning point came with the formation of a robust Board of Directors, the strategic hiring of interns, and a meticulous streamlining of operations. The decision to pause operations for that critical year, while emotionally challenging, ultimately became the catalyst for shaping the future of the organization.

The lessons learned during this period of reflection and refinement positioned Little Essentials for enduring success. As we look back on the evolution from those challenging early days to our current impact, the journey stands as a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment that define the spirit of Little Essentials.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.littleessentials.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lehelps/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LEHelps/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandietrombert/

Image Credits
Fabrice Trombert https://www.fabricetrombert.com/