Parents know it’s costly to outfit a teenager, but a Boise non-profit is making sure that's not the case for struggling families. After briefly closing its doors, "The Closet" is now back open and ready to serve disadvantaged teens.
“Everything you see here is donated by the community," says Kelly McMurry the woman who founded The Closet seven years ago. Since then, the charity has outfitted 3500 Ada County teenagers. But a few months ago the closet closed its doors. The original and rent-free location need its space back. Kelly, who says she's never taken a paycheck, was distraught wondering if The Closet would ever find a new home. That's when she received a small black key in the mail from a donor she had never met. Scratched into it was just one word, believe. “I can't tell you how many times I held onto that key. I just need to believe that yes, I am going to find a place and boy did we," says McMurry, “I am finally in a bigger space where I can really spread my wings and touch this community like never before."
Any Ada County 6th through 12th grader is welcome to step inside the new big boutique for a private one-hour shopping spree with a personal stylist. Referrals come from school counselors, juvenile correction, homeless shelters and even struggling parents.
Kelly realizes a bag full of clothes won't solve the kids' deep-rooted problems, but at least for one hour, inside The Closet, struggling teenagers are pampered, loved on and feel valued. And that may be just the key they need to succeed.
The closet relies completely on community donations of both money and clothes to operate.
The Closet is holding a Community Open House on Saturday, October 14 from 1pm-4pm. The address is 10338 W. Fairview, Boise. You can also find them on Facebook @theclosetboise. Fairview Ave10338 W Fairview
