Initiative Gives Students Access To Clothing One Thread At A Time

In 2007, Kimberly Coffman was struggling financially. 

She couldn’t afford to buy new clothes for her two sons who had upcoming job interviews.

The experience became the genesis for her latest project Threads of Change, a clothing swap initiative at Kendall Campus that allows the Miami Dade College community to acquire donated clothes for free.

Threads of Change takes its roots from an event—the Wolfson Clothing Swap—hosted during MDC’s first Changemaker Week in 2023.

Coffman hosted her first event on Sept. 18, during last year’s Changemaker Week in partnership with the Institute of Civic Engagement and Democracy.  It drew more than 60 participants.

“There were at least three people who definitely needed the clothes… [It] was super important for all of us when we realized that we were really helping people who had nothing,” Coffman said. “I got chills and almost cried.”

The event was so successful “that [Coffman] wanted to do it again,” said Priya Pershadsingh, iCED Director at Kendall Campus. 

As a result, two additional events were planned in Room 2108. One was held on Nov. 20 and another is being held on Feb. 19. To volunteer for that event go here: https://shorturl.at/lzRgu

Among the items  that have been donated: men’s dress shirts, jackets, dresses, blouses, skirts, polos, T-shirts, undershirts, cargo pants, jeans, shoes, kids clothing and accessories such as sunglasses, purses and belts.

Donations for future events can be dropped off in Room 8201. Acceptable items include clean, gently used clothing items for all ages, shoes and household items like furniture, cups and rugs. 

“The experience [is] like walking through a consignment shop,” Coffman said. “[People] can just come in, browse and then leave. It’s a very comfortable experience.”

At each event a video aimed at educating attendees on the harm of fast fashion and the importance of sustainability plays in the background. 

To get clothing at the Threads of Change participants don’t need to donate or be referred. They can simply show up. 

Coffman hopes the project encourages people to reconsider their clothing choices and develop a sense of community and willingness to share with others in need. 

“Accessibility and sustainability go hand-in-hand, and I think that’s what Threads of Change really offers our community,” said Fiona Machado, who volunteered at the first Threads of Change event.

For more information, contact Pershadsingh at ppershad@mdc.edu or (305) 237-0631, or Coffman at kcoffman@mdc.edu or (305) 237-2127. 

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