Local Businesses Provide New School Clothes for Teens During SWAT Nights

Thanks to Back-to-School Clothes for Kids (BTS) and its supporters, Darian, who is receiving services from Westhab, Inc., shopped for clothes and sneakers to start the school year when Regeneron Pharmeucticals and Reader’s Digest, and their employees, funded SWAT (Shopping With A Teen) Nights for 50 teens at the White Plains Galleria.  Each teen was matched up with a volunteer from those companies and given a $200 budget to spend on school clothes. Darian shopped with Reader’s Digest employee and volunteer, John Herzog.

By the end of September, nearly 250 teens served by Westhab and other local social service agencies will participate in SWAT Nights funded by many generous businesses in Westchester including MBIA, M&T Bank, Fuji Film and TAL International as well as individual donors. Retailers such as Sears, Old Navy, Footlocker and Urban X provide discounts to stretch shopping dollars.  “It’s great for these teens to be able to try on and buy a variety of clothing they really need,” says BTS Founder Connie Kennedy of New Rochelle. “Although awkward at first, during the course of the evening the volunteers and teens become fast friends, making it a truly priceless experience for both.” Since 1986, Back-to-School Clothes for Kids, a grassroots organization, has sent nearly 20,000 local children and teens in need back to school dressed for success. To learn more or to donate to Back-to-School Clothes for Kids visit backtoschoolclothes.org or call 914-576-6053.

Adam Stone

Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.