Another benefit of the move is helping those that may have transportation difficulties in traveling to various agencies. The Clothing Closet will now be closer to Habitat for Humanity. Kauth explains, “It’s one of the concerns that we hear most often from people who are in need, that there are so many different places that they need to go or have needs with and being able to get to those places.” run.” Volunteers would be able to come in weekly to help sort and set up. The distribution team will remain the same staff members, helping to give their clients a familiar face and welcome environment when they visit. “It’s a great opportunity for other groups to get involved and learn the impact of the program and how they can help. I think there’s a lot of groups looking for opportunities to get involved and I think this a really hands on, impactful way,” Hanson explains. Preparing for the Move Hanson explains the process they’ve been working through to move to their new location at 203 E 3rd Street. The new space needed some Anticipated Opening and Program Changes renovating to best provide for their clients’ needs. Walls to knock down, The United Way’s goal is to re-open at the new location this spring, basement renovation, upgrading the stairs and installing an ADA ramp possibly in April. Because of the generous gift from the 100 Women of are just a few of the changes necessary. This process has been a team Yankton, they will have a wall dedicated to them. They will be working effort of many. on another project with local partners to later provide nicer work Through a nomination process, the 100 Women of Yankton awards clothes for the Closet. a gift to one local project annually by vote of its members. The Clothing The revamping of the Clothing Closet also includes streamlining Closet had recently been awarded a $14,100 gift from this group. their voucher system. Instead of paper vouchers, they will be using a Hanson explains how every dollar of this gift is being used toward computerized database to track their visitors, increasing the program’s renovation costs of the building. The Yankton Community Foundation efficiency. also helped with renovations, investing money toward the ADA ramp. Hanson explains one of the changes that will take place with the “Those two entities to come together to fund this project is the only new location. “We will not be collecting clothing all the time.” Due to way it could have happened,” Hanson states. the smaller space that they are moving into, they are restructuring the The United Way has had a Heart Club Committee for many years. collection to include four clothing drives, one for each season. Hopefully The main role of this committee was to support the United Way with this will help community members to clean out their closet with each their community campaign. The group of approximately nine members season and share their unused clothing with the Closet. They are also have helped with program changes to be made in construction, looking to ask some of their partnering agencies to host clothing drives revamping and organization. Distribution of the clothing will also as needed, for instance if they are low on socks, asking these agencies to be provided by this committee, a crucial role in the efficiency of the help host a sock drive to fill their needs. Clothing Closet. Kieffer comments, “We have a very generous Heart Club steering Maintaining A Relationship committee that has volunteered to step up and be the original source of Kauth explains that the Clothing Closet will remain on the HSC those consistent volunteers during distribution time.” campus with regular distribution until the new facility is ready to open. The United Way has been gathering partners to assist in moving They anticipate a seamless move with no interruptions in services. After the Clothing Closet from North Yankton to the Meridian District the Closet relocates, HSC will continue to maintain their own clothing in downtown Yankton. They are also looking into how much staff is program for patients. United Way and The Clothing Closet program will needed to help with the new location and how to keep HSC’s campus continue to maintain a strong relationship with HSC, allowing them the closet running smoothly as well. They will need additional assistance opportunity to gather 6”x48” planks with a lifetime stress-free warranty, items from the Closet as needed. with the set up of the donations, but they already have ideas to find help. With the transition, United Way will fiscally sponsor the Clothing designed tolike to engage more of the today’s décor and to stand up to all of life’s messes. 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