"When I grow out of clothes, I can get more because me and my dad don’t have a lot of money."

10-year-old Dawn’s Closet recipient

Yvonne stopped by the agency one day to announce that she had a job interview the next day and was so excited she was jumping up and down. As she was sharing her news it occurred to her that she had nothing suitable to wear to a job interview. When she arrived at Dawn's Closet, her interview was to take place that day at 1pm and her confidence was shaky. We assured her that she had come to the right place. With little time to spare she was partnered with a volunteer who was eager to help her. She had little idea what to wear because she had not been employed for some time, and had lost everything the year before.

Within 30 minutes Yvonne found dress pants, a couple of coordinating tops, jewelry, shoes, a purse, and a long wool coat. Her excitement could be heard and felt throughout Dawn's Closet! She left for her interview a changed person, with her confidence back, because she felt so good about how she looked. She commented that she was "wearing shoes that made her sound like a lady'" because of her new heels, and that she felt like a different person with her new clothes. She came back a couple of days later to inform us that she got the job, and expressed her gratitude for the support she had received.

Dawn's Closet provides clothing, accessories, and household essentials free of charge for work, school and everyday to men, women and children of all ages and all sizes in need who live in Washington County and surrounding border communities in eastern Ramsey County and western Wisconsin. We currently are serving over 200 families each month in Dawn's Closet.

Eligibility Requirements.

To be eligible for assistance, individuals must live in Washington County, a community along the Ramsey County/Washington County border or a western Wisconsin community along the Polk or St. Croix County, Wisconsin/Washington County, Minnesota border. Total combined household income cannot be more than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines listed below.

Add $7,480 of allowable income for each additional family member above eight.

Proof identification (a photo ID) and proof of residency are required for each adult in every household on every visit. Acceptable proof of residency includes a utility bill, a bank statement, a paycheck stub, or correspondence from a county, state, or federal government agency. Documents provided as proof of residency must be dated within 45 days of each visit.

Proof of identification also must be submitted for every child living in each household. Acceptable proof of identification for children includes a birth certificate, health insurance card, school ID, or social security card.

How you can be involved.

Dawn's Closet accepts donations of gently used, clean, quality men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories for all occasions, in all sizes and for all ages.

We also accept gently used, clean sets of sheets, quilts, comforters, blankets, kitchen and bath linens, sets of dishes, glassware, and flatware, kitchen utensils, cookware, infant care items, and gently used, operational small household appliances (e.g. small microwave ovens, blenders, mixers, toasters, toaster ovens, crock pots, irons, etc.)

Because we have limited space, we cannot accept donations of used toys, knick knacks, electronic equipment, or furniture.

Dawn's Closet operates with the support of volunteers who sort and stock donations and assist clients when they come to select clothing and household essentials.

Location

Dawn’s Closet is located at 1911 Curve Crest Blvd. W. in the building with blue and white awnings, next door to the Stillwater Gazette newspaper office.

Hours of Operation

Dawn's Closet is currently open to serve clients during the following hours:
Monday: 5 pm - 8 pm
Wednesday: 10 am - 1 pm
Thursday: 4 pm - 7 pm
Friday: 10 am - 1 pm

For more information about donations or to volunteer, please contact us at 651.430.2739, ext. 2.

Dawn's Closet Program Director: Dana Dunlap Massopust