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March 12 – April 8, 2021 Mission Times Courier / College Times Courier
NEWS Sharia’s Closet
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County and beyond. Families and individuals served by Sharia’s Closet have a variety of backgrounds: active duty military, at-risk youth, current foster care, disabled, experiencing disaster or crisis, domestic violence, homelessness, etc. “That truth doesn’t make it to the news, but that is the reality of people’s lives that we’re serving in Sharia’s Closet founder Shamine Linton (Courtesy photos) San Diego,” she said. “I serve people that you’ll never hear about or Linton said that the individuals donations did not show the love read about.” she works with often are nervous and dignity Sharia’s Closet hope Linton hopes to change the to ask for help because of the so- to convey in their work. narrative in these underserved cietal stigmas but her message is: Over quarantine, Sharia’s Closet communities by building new pil- “There’s no shame in asking for “became like a dumping station,” lars of hope through the services help.” she said. “That is not the intent. available at Sharia’s Closet. One’s situation or background That’s the disheartening part “Where I grew up, the true does not deter them from getting for us.” sense of family extends beyond assistance, Linton added. Linton wants to encourage people not to just your immedi“forget what its ate family. You’re acting in an unlike to be outside conditional, selfof ourselves,” esless way and that pecially as they is transferred to go through their everyone around closets to donate. you.” She encouragDuring Novemes all who are hoping to dober 2020, Sharia’s Closet did a series nate to educate themselves and of Facebook posts called the Stories see what sorts of of Gratitude clothes the orgaCa mpa ig n. I n nization is lookthese posts, people Sharia’s Closet is decorated with sings and images to inspire its patrons. ing for. who received as“It is rewarding sistance shared their testimonials “People come and we don’t when people actually take the on how this organization helped speak the same language, but I time to research and watch the them get out of the situations they speak a love language. Being able tutorials — learn how to wash were in. Sebastian, a client who to transfer where your standing and size the items,” she added. received aid wrote, “With their to putting yourself in their shoes, Even more importantly, she help, I was able to go to several that is a beautiful transformation. asks for a shift in perspective. interviews with a new confidence. When we package the clothing, “This could be you. Think I received a referral through other these receivers know that some- about the type of energy you’re companies and eventually land- one genuinely cared. They were transferring or giving,” she exed a good job. People don’t always hand-selected, prepared for their plained. “When you’re donatthink about clothing, and how body type. Everything is specifi- ing something that brought something small like that can cally for them,” she said. you joy, you’re going to transfer make a big difference. Just getting Given the free time many people that same joy to someone else some nice clothing helped change had during this pandemic, Linton through that piece of clothing. my career, and changed my life for said there has been a large influx Maybe up until this point, that the better.” of donations, but some of the is the most love they have felt in their entire life.” The work of Sharia’s Closet has not gone unnoticed over this past year. On Feb. 9, Sharia’s Closet was the recipient of the Outstanding San Diegans award from San Diego City Attorney Mara W. Elliott. But the real reward, according to Linton, is “to see the thank you and smiles — there’s not a word to express that. What that feels like and means, that is the joy in my soul.” (above) The stocked children’s section; (below) The infants and toddlers Sharia's Closet has given out section stocked with clothes and toys to date 14,199 bags of clothing to individuals, but they will not stop there. Linton believes this is a long-term effort to love and help the community. “The environment in the community and family, those are the pillars — the developmental stages of helping you to transform into the person you’re meant to be and called to be,” she said. —Lanie Alfaro is editorial intern for San Diego Community Newspaper Group.
