As a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, giving back has been a part of my ethos since, well, forever. With a lifetime of volunteerism, a past career in philanthropy and a strong connection to the community, working to be a part of the solution has always been very important to me. Each of us has the power to make change and even what seem like small efforts add up over time.

As many of you know, Poplin started in 2013 and our partnership with YouthCare started within a few months. Over seven years we held styling workshops for youth experiencing homelessness. These folks were in a job training program in partnership between YouthCare and FareStart in which they learned valuable customer service skills and job training. As a crucial component of this program, each young person also received emotional and practical support as they worked to obtain housing and long term paid employment.

It’s easy to forget the impact that having a safety net can have on someone and the advantages that come from a sense of security and someone taking the time to share with you all the little things you need to know to become a successful member of society. In the clothing realm, that could mean taking you for your first bra, buying you school clothes or teaching you how to tie a necktie. Support also means helping you gain self confidence, learning how to open a bank account or helping you navigate the school system. Most unhoused young people have missed out on all of this and more.

20-40% of homeless youth experience sexual abuse, compared to 1-3% of the general youth population. 60% of houseless youth have experienced physical abuse at home before ending up on the streets. Up to 40% are LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Questioning).

Those styling sessions gave me the opportunity to style Trans youth. For many of them, I was the first person they had ever spoken with about the possibility of wearing clothes that were not stereotypically associated with their gender at birth. We talked about how their body shapes would change with hormones and how to dress those changing figures. I measured them for bras and taught them about undergarments, sizing and how to embrace your unique personal style. Thanks to these generous young folks, Poplin evolved into working with Trans clients, which has been life changing for me.

In those early days, my husband volunteered with me. We piled donated clothes, accessories and shoes on top of a table in a conference room. He often taught a handful of youth how to tie a necktie while looking at their reflections in an office window. Back then, we didn’t have mirrors or the incredible “basement boutique” that exists today. Youth changed in the bathrooms and did their reveals in the midst of the hardworking YouthCare staff. At the end of one session during our sharing time, one of the young people thanked him for taking the time and said that no one had ever shown him how to tie a tie before. It clearly meant a lot to him and to both of us.

Homelessness is a devastating problem that can feel completely overwhelming and unsolvable. Over the years, it feels like it just gets worse. And, it’s very difficult to engage with it when we see folks struggling on a very high percentage of our streets. But, without commitment and resilience, we will certainly lose out on a society where everyone has not only shelter, but a home.

YouthCare works with young people ages 12-24. Yup, 12-24 living on the streets in our city. Many of them may not be able to work because they don’t have an ID, something you need a birth certificate to get. They may not choose to go to a shelter for fear of abuse or because they need to be separated from their partner or friends because of gender. How many young people do you know who want to be separated from friends, especially when friends are their only support system?

YouthCare recognizes the complexity of empowering unhoused youth and is up for the challenge. This is why we host a Poplin table at the YouthCare Luncheon and why I’d love for you to join us there. It’s an incredible place to learn more about the problems and more importantly the solutions associated with youth homelessness. It’s a place to hear from young people who have persevered and show us all that if we continue the work, we can make a difference, one young person at a time. (If you are interested, you can also see What I learned from Styling Homeless Youth so many years ago.")