You never know what you'll find in The Closet
You never know what you'll find in The Closet
Laguna High School’s Clothes Closet provides students with more than just free duds
Hearing about Laguna’s High School’s fabled Clothes Closet is one thing; seeing it is another. The free student-clothing depot might have started out in a closet at Laguna’s Sebastopol location, but now it fills an entire room at Laguna’s Forestville campus.
On a recent Thursday morning, Principal Greg Alexander stopped by The Closet to chat with three volunteers and longtime friends—High School Board President Julie Aiello, Jennifer Roventini and Bonnie Bowen—who busily sorted and folded clothing. A festive mood permeated the space.
“We get incredible donations,” Alexander said. “Staff will bring it in; community members, random people will show up and say, ‘I heard you guys have a closet; we have all this cool stuff.’ This time of year it’s really great, too, because we’ll get jackets and stuff that kids need. The kids get to come in. They have a good time; it’s like you’re shopping.”
The Closet evokes a thrift-store atmosphere. The one-time classroom is spacious enough to accommodate several metal clothing racks laden with shirts, pants and dresses; standing mirrors; matching comfy chairs; and an overstuffed couch. Shelving units filled with shoes, cabinets and vintage rock posters line the walls.
The Closet is more than a used clothing store; it’s a hangout spot that invites collaboration and community. Students show up to peruse the wares but end up lounging on the comfy chairs and chatting with each other and staff.
“It becomes a social spot for them to meet as well,” said Aiello.
“It’s a little bit of an alternative to sitting around at lunch time,” added Bowen. “And they like to help; they like to sort.”
The three women also dispense clothing advice when needed, advising if a garment is too risqué or a skirt too short for school.
“We’re like the three moms,” Roventini said to a chorus of laughter.
The Closet is popular with students for a number of reasons.
Odessa, a senior, said, “I love it. Because, honestly, there’s a bunch of kids in need who don’t have a lot of extra money to buy the clothes that they like or actually want to wear, you know? The closet has all different styles so that even if you don’t find something you necessarily like, you can take different fabrics and make something.”
She also feels that the Closet, like other thrift stores, fills the need of recycling clothing in a world where fast fashion results in trendy, throwaway garments and mountains of waste.
Fellow student, Lainey, said, “I think it’s a pretty good source for people to get clothing from if they can’t afford it.”
Both students make sure to visit the Closet every week.
While the Closet’s official hours are Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. during the school year, students can and do ask staff to let them in during off-hours when needed.
Donations mostly come from community members and volunteers, but sometimes arrive though more unexpected channels. A Sebastopol clothing store owner got wind of the endeavor and now donates clothing on a regular basis, even allowing volunteers to hand-pick items in person. Monetary and gift-card donations allow staff to purchase clothing and shoes by request.
Prom dresses, shoes, jewelry and makeup samples are particularly popular, and toiletries are available. Men’s clothing and shoes are needed—especially those age-appropriate for teenage boys.
“We’re always in need of guy’s clothing. That’s something we’re a little short on,” said Aiello.
The Closet moved to its present location when Laguna High School moved to Forestville about two years ago, where it has since flourished.
Craig Litwin, Sebastopol Kiwanis co-president, shed some light on The Closet’s origins.
“During the pandemic, Sebastopol Kiwanis launched the project … to provide free clothing to students in need,” he said. “Sebastopol Kiwanis also sourced the furniture for the facility, clothing racks, and helped staff it at its inception. What was most exciting about the project was the gleam in the eyes of those students who got to see the options available, and realize that they could have whatever they want and need.
“This gleam turned to deep gratitude as we also opened The Closet to families of students in need, so that everyone in their immediate circle could benefit from the enormous generosity of the greater West County community. Sebastopol Kiwanis focused on finding designer clothing, and new items such as socks and underwear, to maintain higher spirits in darker times.”
Now run independently of Kiwanis, The Clothes Closet has proven so successful since its move to Forestville that it will expand to Analy High School in Sebastopol in 2024.
"Sebastopol Rotary gave a $500 grant to buy racks,” said Board President Aiello. “Now it’s just a matter of finding the space.”
To inquire about making donations to The Clothes Closet, contact Laguna High School at (707) 824-6484.
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