Outfitting Confidence: The Power of the Clothing Closet at YouthLink
Imagine walking into a clothing store, the racks lined with clothes, and being able to pick out exactly what you need—a warm winter coat, a cozy hoodie, or even a new pair of jeans. Now imagine that this experience is not just about finding clothes, but about reclaiming a sense of normalcy and dignity in the face of life’s toughest challenges. That’s what the Clothing Closet at YouthLink offers to young people experiencing homelessness.
For youth at YouthLink, the Clothing Closet is more than just a resource—it’s a lifeline. It’s a place where they can “shop” for clothes they need without ever having to worry about cost. They’re treated with the respect and care they deserve, and that simple act of choosing their own clothes becomes a powerful way to restore a sense of control during uncertain times.
A Shopping Experience with Purpose
When youth enter the Clothing Closet at YouthLink, they’re not just getting clothes—they’re reclaiming a sense of dignity. Our goal is to make this space feel welcoming, comfortable, and empowering. While we’ve made strides in creating a retail-inspired experience, with dressing rooms, large mirrors, and paper shopping bags donated by Target, there’s still a lot of room to grow.
Right now, the Clothing Closet is a well-loved, well-used space. Youth come in daily to pick out everything from jeans to jackets, and it provides a critical resource that allows them to get what they need, for free. But while it’s a vital part of YouthLink, the space still has the feel of a donation room. We know how important it is for young people to have a dignified, shopping-like experience, which is why we’re working hard to improve it.
While the Clothing Closet is functional and serves its purpose, we see an opportunity to make it even better. With the right support and funding, we hope to enhance the space, adding more professional touches like better lighting, modern fixtures, and a layout that makes it easier to shop and browse. This investment would allow us to transform the Clothing Closet into a space that not only provides essential items but also offers an experience that boosts confidence and restores dignity.
Until then, we’re doing the best we can with what we have, and the impact of the Clothing Closet is undeniable. It’s a resource that young people rely on every day. But with your support, we can elevate it to the next level—creating a space that truly reflects the value and worth of every young person in our community.
The bottom line is that none of this would be possible without you, without the support of our community. The Clothing Closet is 100% stocked through donations. Every hoodie, pair of jeans, or coat that you see on those racks came from someone who cared enough to give.
A Resource Powered by Generosity
You might not realize it, but the Clothing Closet is one of the busiest spots at YouthLink’s Drop-In Center. The needs of the community are constantly changing, especially with the seasons. As we head into the colder months, for instance, the need for warmer items like hoodies, sweatshirts, and coats skyrockets.
Keeping up with demand can be a challenge, especially when our storage space is limited. We rotate items based on the time of year, which means that during the winter, those racks are filled with coats, hats, and gloves, while in the summer, they’re stocked with lighter items like shorts and t-shirts.
And while clothing donations increase during certain times of the year—especially when people are clearing out their closets for a new season—it’s not always predictable. Some weeks, the donations pile up faster than we can sort them, and other weeks, items fly off the shelves faster than we can stock them. Donations are unpredictable, which often means our clothing stock is unpredictable, and that’s why we rely heavily on both individual and group volunteers to help us sort, organize, and stock the Closet.
Meet the Volunteers Who Keep the Closet Running
Behind the scenes, the Clothing Closet is a hive of activity. Volunteers like Meredith, who you might remember from a previous blog post, are the lifeblood of the operation. Meredith started coming in every Wednesday to help sort through donations and organize the space, and now she’s joined by Kay and Ann, forming a powerhouse team that knows the Clothing Closet inside and out. Having volunteers who know the space well and can keep everything running smoothly makes all the difference.
But it’s not just the regular volunteers who keep the Clothing Closet going. Some weeks, the influx of donations gets so large that it takes a group effort to get things sorted. When the pile of donations starts creeping up and threatening to overflow, that’s when a group of volunteers is critical. Picture a team of 8-10 people, all working together for a couple of hours, organizing everything from winter coats to summer tees. It’s incredible what a group can accomplish in just a short time, and it makes all the difference in keeping the Clothing Closet fully stocked and organized.
The Growing Need for Support
The demand for YouthLink’s services is higher than ever, and the Clothing Closet plays a crucial role in meeting the needs of young people experiencing homelessness. In 2023 alone, we served 1,945 youth, a staggering 86% increase since 2021. These young people visited our Drop-In Center almost 18,000 times—a 106% jump in just two years. But as the demand grows, the Clothing Closet is limited by the amount of donations we receive. The truth is, we can only give out as much as we have.
Last year, we distributed over 5,100 items of clothing and 1,450 pieces of underwear, socks, and bras. Though, if we had more “product” in the Clothing Closet, those numbers would be even higher. Items like basic t-shirts, comfortable athletic wear (shorts, sweatpants, hoodies), and—most critically—new socks, underwear, and bras are in constant demand. These are the essentials that fly off the shelves faster than we can stock them.
Right now, we are able to distribute thousands of items of clothing each year, but the need far exceeds what YouthLink can currently provide. With more donations, we could meet these growing demands and ensure that every young person who visits YouthLink leaves with the clothes they need to stay warm, comfortable, and confident.
We know the Clothing Closet can do more, and we need your help to make that happen. Every donation—whether it’s a bag of gently used clothes or a new pack of socks—makes a tangible difference in the lives of youth experiencing housing insecurity. Together, we can ensure that the Clothing Closet stays stocked, and every young person has access to the essential items they need.
How You Can Help
So how can you support the Clothing Closet? There are a few ways you can get involved and make a tangible difference in the lives of young people in our community who are experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness:
– Donate gently used or new clothing: Have some extra hoodies, sweatpants, or winter coats lying around? We’d love to give them a second life. You can schedule a drop-off by emailing donations@youthlinkmn.org or calling 612-252-1280. Be sure to check youthlinkmn.org/donate-items for the most up-to-date list of what we’re currently accepting.
– Shop from our wish lists: If you have the ability to donate new items, you can also shop directly from our Amazon or Target wish lists. Every item you purchase goes straight to a young person in need.
– Volunteer your time: Whether you’re an individual looking to make a regular commitment or part of a corporate or faith-based group looking to volunteer, we’d love to have you. To learn more about volunteering in the Clothing Closet, email volunteer@youthlinkmn.org.
Every donation, every hour volunteered, and every piece of clothing given makes a difference. Together, we can ensure that every young person who comes through YouthLink’s doors leaves with not only the clothes they need but the dignity and respect they deserve.
Thank you for your continued support of the Clothing Closet and the young people we serve. Please reach out to us at donations@youthlinkmn.org if you are interested in learning more about the campaign to renovate the clothing closet, and for more information about donating items for young people, visit youthlinkmn.org/donate-items and help us keep this vital resource going strong!
