The Cal Poly Pomona Career Center’s Clothes Closet awarded Associated Students Incorporated (ASI) as Clothes Closet Partner of the Year 2021 at the ASI Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday, January 27, 2022.
Clothes Closet Coordinator Dr. Cheryl Love presenting ASI with Clothes Closet Partner of the Year 2021 at ASI Board of Directors meeting on January 27, 2022.
ASI donated $35,000 to the Clothes Closet to help fund the Clothes Closet Stipend Program when the Clothes Closet Boutique shut down due to COVID-19.
The Clothes Closet Stipend Program provided financial assistance to students who sought to obtain professional attire for job interviews, professional meetings, conferences, and internships. Through this program, students were eligible to receive a $50 Amazon gift card to purchase clothing and invited to a free personal styling session from Apparel Merchandising and Management (AMM) students.
Students browse through clothing racks at CPP Career Center’s Clothes Closet Boutique.
With the pandemic and the switch to virtual instruction, many programs and facilities at Cal Poly Pomona were forced to suspend in-person hours and activities. However, despite the inability to meet in person, Clothes Closet Coordinator Dr. Cheryl Love quickly pivoted the in-person Clothes Closet Boutique to a stipend program to help students in need obtain gift cards to purchase professional attire online.
“We wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without [ASI’s] help,” Love said. “Because of [their] support, we were able to help over 600 students last academic year and 250 students and counting this year.”
One of ASI’s goals for the 2021-2022 academic year was to work with campus partners to bring awareness and allyships to student needs—specifically Basic Needs Resources. ASI’s donation aligned with one of the domains in our ASI Action Plan to:
“Identify ways ASI can promote resources that combat current or potential basic needs insecurities and expand programs like Poly Pantry and Clothes Closet.”
“Basic needs are important to ASI,” ASI Vice President Derek Sweem said. “This is an example of the partnership we strive to do to help students succeed.”
Clothes Closet Testimonial Album Spring 2021: Volume 2
Dozens of students left heartfelt testimonials sharing how impactful the service was to their academic and professional journey:
“I am so incredibly grateful to have received the Clothes Closet stipend! With it, I was able to purchase a professional work outfit for upcoming interviews, which is something I have been unable to afford for a while now. Ultimately, this support allowed me to invest in myself and my future, and I am very thankful for that.” – Korrin D.
“I want to start off by saying thank you so much for working with the amazing donors that are helping impact so many college students. This email brings me so much joy because it gives me relief that I don’t have to financially worry about paying for clothes that will help me get a job in my career.” – Alexa L.
CPP alum Edgar Pazmino, Jr. created a video thanking everyone involved with the stipend program and attributed his success to resources like this.
All 16 members of the Clothes Closet Advisory Board unanimously decided to select ASI as Clothes Closet Partner of the Year.
“ASI has always been supportive in our efforts,” Love said. “But this year, they were pivotal and went above and beyond allowing us to make a significant impact on these students’ lives.”
Students modeling professional attire offered through the Clothes Closet Boutique.
Moving forward, the stipend now allows students to receive up to $75 in professional attire purchased through Amazon as well as styling tips from our AMM students.
Students can apply for the stipend once a semester, twice a year (fall, spring, or summer). To apply for the Clothes Closet stipend, please visit CPP Basic Needs and fill out the Basic Needs Assistance Application.
“Our goal at the Clothes Closet is to help students put their best fit forward to be their authentic selves,” Love explained. “It’s all about confidence and being true to who they are, and simply having access to professional attire makes a world of difference.”
To learn more about the Clothes Closet and stipend program, visit the Career Center website or contact Dr. Cheryl Love at calove@cpp.edu.
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