WhereWear’s Mission Statement
As a youth-led nonprofit, WhereWear empowers those in shelters who need clothing through a streamlined donation process that efficiently matches need with supply.
WHO
Founded by Vy Le, WhereWear was built with the support of close family, friends, and several key mentors, including those from the Washington Leadership Board, Changemakers in Computing at the University of Washington, Institute for Citizens and Scholars, and the Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation. Despite the valuable guidance from these advisors, WhereWear remains entirely youth-led.
WHY
After visiting a cousin at a local domestic violence shelter and seeing the urgent need for dignifying clothing, Vy was inspired to take action. She rallied her family and friends to donate, but when that didn’t feel like enough, she began organizing donation drives. From there, the idea for WhereWear was born.
WHERE
Based in Olympia, WA, WhereWear started by organizing donation drives and sending clothing to shelters across the Pacific Northwest. Slowly, our reach grew to include shelters in neighboring regions, and our map is currently growing with every donation request sent.
Our vision
At WhereWear, our vision is to ensure everyone has access to the clothing they need to feel supported. We provide high-quality, essential items to shelters across America, helping those facing hardships receive well-fitting, seasonally appropriate clothing. By connecting donations directly to shelters, we reduce waste from oversupplied stores and waste centers. Through youth-led innovation and collaboration, we aim to make clothing donation systems more efficient, building community connections and empowering those in need. Ultimately, we strive for a future where clothing is easily accessible, supporting dignity, security, and opportunity for all.
