Successful winter clothing drive inspires creation of Career Closet

The clothing repository provides students access to professional attire year-round for interviews, jobs, presentations and internships.

By Sarah Matarella

As finals week approached during the fall 2023 semester, the Division of Student Affairs sent out a call for donations to host its first winter clothing drive.

Alvernia's faculty and staff responded in force. Coats, long-sleeved attire, scarves, hats and gloves filled clothing racks and tables in the admissions suite hallway.

The racks and tables were empty within a week. Students of all ages tried on clothing and went home with it, free of charge. Some got clothing for their children.

This work sits close to the heart of Alvernia's Executive Director of Community Standards Kimberly Lemon, Ed.D.

"That was me, 100 percent," Lemon recalled. "I completed all my degrees as an adult and a single parent. It would have been great if the universities that I attended had assistance for students in need because sometimes it's just a one-time need. You can't afford a winter coat, your car breaks down, you get a flat tire and then you're in panic mode. Supporting students through this culture of care is important to me."

The clothing drive's success demonstrated a need for clothing in the Alvernia community. Outside of winter clothing, students need access to professional attire year-round for their interviews, jobs, presentations and internships. That can add up when purchased at retail prices. Plus, some students do not have transportation to get to those stores or to purchase clothing online for an interview the following day.

This need sparked action. During the following semester, the Career Closet was born. Akin to the winter clothing drive, the offerings are free for students and became a natural extension to Alvernia's culture of care. But in this case, it runs throughout the year.

"It just felt like the natural next step," said Mary-Alice Ozechoski, M.A., Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs. "Our students know they need professional clothing but, for various reasons, may not have the means to acquire them. The ways that we make the path through college easier for students means that these barriers are lifted, and their stress level is reduced so that they can be a part of the community in a more robust way."

Conveniently located on the first floor of the Campus Commons, the closet offers hand-picked, professional clothing of all sizes. When sizes run low, students are given gift cards for the local CommunityAid thrift store to find the items they need.

"I found three nice blazers and some nice heels," said Alettya Zalapa-Alonso '24. "I have an interview coming up so I can use it for that and possibly for some conferences as well. I was just strolling by when I saw it."

Through the partnership with CommunityAid, Alvernia also receives 11 to 13 cents per pound of clothing donated at any thrift store location when the donor mentions Alvernia. CommunityAid sends a quarterly check that is then used to purchase additional clothing and gift cards.

"It's this wonderful symbiotic relationship," Lemon said. "They help us and we help them. People within the Alvernia community - alumni, family, friends and others - donate their unwanted goods to CommunityAid and our students benefit from the Career Closet."

The impact does not stop there, though. The Division of Student Affairs is expanding the culture of care to include additional support services for students along with additional training for faculty and staff to better support the changing needs of today's students.

"I believe in the transformative power of higher education," Lemon said. "However, access to it is not equitable. Anything we can do to support students, to get them over the finish line and help them to achieve their goals will change their lives."

Despite its success, Career Closet hasn't replaced the push to collect winter clothing. Starting Oct. 14, donations will be accepted for the 2024 drive, which will commence in the admissions suite hallway on Nov. 11.

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