Fashion for a Good Cause: Simuel’s Closet Moves to New Brunswick

Natasha Rodgers grew up around her grandfather Simuel’s non-profit organization.

The group supported needy families out of the Humanity Baptist Church in Newark in the 60's and 70's with meal programs, a low-cost thrift-store, and a “safe-play street,” where she remembers playing with other children "without fear of being harmed" in a cordoned off section of the Church’s otherwise dangerous neighborhood.

Today, Rodgers carries on her grandfather’s work as the Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Simuel Whitfield Simmons Organization (SWS).

SWS provides clothing, food, baby supplies, furniture, prom dresses, school supplies, and even holiday gifts to families in need, in addition to running numerous youth enrichment programs.

Currently, SWS is running a Thanksgiving Drive with Sirius XM alongside their annual Adopt-a-Family Christmas Drive.

Simuel’s Closet, a designer clothing store that operates as a part of the non-profit, partially funds the many community support initiatives and employs youth supported by the organization.

Simuel’s Closet stocks new clothing for men and women by Zara, Onassis, Tracy Reese, and other contemporary and classic fashion designers.

Rodgers recently relocated from Highland Park to 55 Morris Street in New Brunswick, on the ground floor of the downtown dormitory Rockoff Hall.

picture: http://www.queenieaustralia.com/short-mini-formal-dresses

Natasha feels like she has come full cirlce, moving Simuel’s Closet to the former site of the city's Hub Teen Center, where she started doing community giveaways in the Hub City fifteen years ago.

“Ed Spencer,who directs the Hub Teen Center today, gave me my first opportunity to do a community giveaway, where we lined up tables right along this street with clothing, food, and everything,” she reminisced. “He and his staff always committed to help [at the giveaways.]”

Natasha then began doing giveaways through the New Brunswick Free Public Library, on...