Last Friday, a team from BDN Arizona volunteered our afternoon with the Central Arizona Shelter Services. CASS is a local Arizona program that serves to empower the homeless population to become self-sufficient and end their homelessness. They currently serve the needs of roughly 10,000 homeless men, women and children in varying capacities from emergency housing to employment services to support in finding permanent housing. The goal of CASS is not simply to provide a place to sleep, but to bring an end to chronic homelessness in the Arizona Valley by serving their clients with dignity.
CASS receives many clothing donations and BDN spent the afternoon sorting through the clothing to replenish “The Closet.” The Closet is a space where CASS clients are allowed to come pick out very gently used clothing. This clothing is distributed to replace worn out clothing that they currently have or pick up professional clothing prior to a job interview. The Closet allows clients to find clothing that matches their style in an environment of dignity that improves morale and can provide a boost in self-esteem and hope in their situation.
Black Diamond sorted through over 100 bags of clothing donations which includes rejecting well-worn clothing, and organizing The Closet by size, clothing type, men’s/women’s, etc… We were able to pack the racks so full that we couldn’t fit another hanger, and even filled 2 additional racks that had to be stored in another room!
