A job interview, a court appearance or a funeral are stressful enough situations; people shouldn’t have to worry about what to wear.
That’s where FAV’s Closet comes in, offering low-cost and even free clothing for women, men and children so they don’t have to dress inappropriately when facing challenging dates, said Francena Brown, the business’s founder.
This month, Families Against Violence added a new feature to its mission to support those affected by homicide and other crimes with the opening of FAV’s Closet on the ground floor of 1350 Main Street.
“When someone loses a loved one, they often lose confidence,” said Brown, the agency’s executive director. “I want to show them that we can dress appropriately, still be happy and move on with our lives.”
No one understands the trauma families face when a loved one is killed better than Brown, who has lost two children to violence. His son Tyrell Narcisse was shot and killed on June 12, 2006, while he was in a car on Page Boulevard. The 21-year-old’s homicide remains unsolved.
In 2022, her son Keyshawn Narcisse was shot and killed at home in Delaware at the age of 38. Her death was caused by domestic violence, he said.
Sometimes victims’ families find themselves with a closet full of jeans, sweatshirts and sneakers and have to attend a court hearing. Even if they don’t have money, FAV’s Closet helps them, she said.
FAV’s Closet not only offers clothes, but the staff also helps customers choose the right clothes for court, a job interview or other occasion, if customers are not sure how to dress best to make a good impression. impression They’ll also make sure the clothes fit and match, she said.
Families Against Violence teams up with Training for Partners in the Community to run FAV’s Closet. Sales of the clothing, which is mostly in good condition and donated, will go toward funding programs like mental health counseling, a bereavement support group and game nights that bring fun and camaraderie back into the lives of survivors, said Sara Garvin, director of employment and training for Partners in the Community.
People can call 413-459-3857 or stop by the store to learn more about donating clothing or money to help the initiative, Brown said.
The idea for the closet came from Brown, who said that when she finds a client who needs appropriate clothing, she pulls out some from her closet, which is so well-stocked that her kids tease her about it.
FAV’s, which is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and anytime by appointment, is currently supported primarily by donations, but is also working with Charlene’s Boutique and Dress for Success.
While the store on Main Street is currently stocked with women’s clothing, the organization also has a storage closet at its headquarters at 32 Hampden St. with men’s clothing and children’s clothing that can be delivered to FAV, she said.
FAV’s Closet is leasing office space from the Latin Economic Development Corp., which used $50,000 of a $100,000 grant from the city’s North American Rescue Plan Act funds to renovate and subsidize the rents of eight new minority companies.
Translated by Damaris Pérez Pizarro