Look behind the scenes at almost any American social movement, and you will find an army of determined, well-organized women. In fact, women of faith have been moving mountains for millennia – often with little fanfare and no recognition.
The women of Greenville, South Carolina, are no exception. Thanks in large part to three volunteers – Susan Spees, Sandy Boden, and Julie Wilson – New American families can select free clothes and housewares from a gorgeous, multi-room “closet” at Heritage Church in the city’s Monaghan neighborhood.
The program was born in early 2021, as the United States military withdrew from Afghanistan and Greenville’s New Americans program geared up for an influx of refugees.
“Over two years ago, I was approached by [LSC New Americans Program teammate] Chris Manning about the idea of having a ‘store’ where refugees could ‘shop’ for items they needed at no charge,” said Spees. “I had worked in retail for over 25 years, and I thought this would benefit those in need while preserving their dignity.”
Initially, the closet was housed in New Americans teammate Leslie Rouse’s basement. (Rouse is Boden’s daughter.)
“[The closet] was a great way for us to get involved,” explained Boden. “We’re retired, and we like helping people.”
“There were bags and bags of donated clothes,” recalled Wilson. “We spent days sorting them.”
By the summer of 2021 the three women were serving clients, but space was tight.
“Fortunately, Lauren [Steele, another New Americans teammate] discovered Heritage Church was willing to donate an entire floor,” noted Boden.
“We had no money in the budget, only our imaginations,” said Spees. “We purchased PVC piping and replaced bent, overused hangers with sturdier ones. We added sizing tabs and signs. One volunteer showed up with shelving she had purchased.”
By fall, the new space was open for business. And what a space it is: room upon room of neatly organized clothing for all ages and genders, as well as bedding, kitchen supplies, and even baby strollers.
“Julie, Sandy, and I have become great friends as we continue to serve,” added Spees. “Julie finds grants and purchases things like pots and pans, and Sandy is always collecting from neighbors and friends.”
Spees recently stepped back to focus on family caregiving, and Boden now takes the lead. New Americans teammates send client requests to her, and Boden takes photos for clients and teammates to peruse. The three volunteers then set the desired items aside, and clients and teammates visit the closet together to pick them up.
“We don’t always see the clients when they pick up the clothes,” noted Boden. “We are only here a few hours a week. But the clients we have met are very grateful.”
“To me, [the clothes closet] is like a gift from the people of this country, trying to help refugees make a new start,” Boden added.
“It’s a gift for us too,” said Wilson. “We feel like we’ve accomplished something.”
To learn more about LSC’s New Americans Program and how you can get involved, click here.
Photo caption: Julie Wilson, Sandy Boden, and Susan Spees are the dynamos behind LSC’s Greenville, South Carolina New Americans Program clothes “closet.”