Clothing Closet

A Fresh Start Begins With the Right Attire

For many men experiencing homelessness, preparing for a job interview can be challenging—especially when appropriate clothing is limited or unavailable. The Clothing Closet at the Westside Homeless Shelter was created to meet this need by providing new, job-ready attire that helps men take confident steps toward employment.

Thanks to a Catonsville Presbyterian Church Envision Grant and the support of Baltimore County, the State of Maryland, the Department of Social Services, and Community Assistance, Lazarus Caucus transformed an 8’ x 20’ shipping container into a fully functional, climate-controlled Clothing Closet. Located on the Campus of Spring Grove, this unit securely stores brand-new interview clothing and durable work-related apparel for shelter guests.

How It Works

Clothing requests are submitted through the Community Assistance Network staff at the Westside Shelter. Lazarus Caucus volunteers then fulfill each request—providing only new men’s interview attire and appropriate outerwear. The climate-controlled space keeps clothing fresh, clean, and ready to wear.

Once a guest is hired, Lazarus purchases additional job-specific items based on individual needs and required safety standards. These items may include:

  • Steel-toe boots

  • High-visibility shirts

  • Work pants

  • Thermal socks and outerwear

  • Coveralls

  • Gloves and lunch coolers

  • And other work-ready essentials

Every item is new, sized correctly, and selected to support long-term employment success.

Please note that we can only accept financial contributions. Since we purchase clothing based on the specific, individual needs of our guests, we are unable to accept clothing donations. Thank you for understanding and for supporting our mission.

Coverage from WMAR 2 News