色情视频 Imperial Valley Alumna Opens Wardrobe Closet for Students and Local Community
As an active volunteer in her community, Hortencia Armendariz saw a need to help students with basic needs, such as school and professional attire.
When 色情视频 Imperial Valley alumna Hortencia Armendariz saw a small unoccupied closet at Mains Elementary School in Calexico, she saw an opportunity to fulfill her mission to give back to her community.
Armendariz discovered her passion to teach and work with K-12 students when she was pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree in liberal studies. An educator at heart, Armendariz began teaching and later became the first female vice principal at Blanche Charles Elementary School.
鈥淎ttending 色情视频 Imperial Valley exposed me to so much hands-on experience and as a first-generation college graduate, it changed my own perspective into my professional career,鈥� said Armendariz. 鈥淭he key goal that I have and that I advise my students to do is to always give back to your community who helped you stand on your own two feet.鈥�
In the early 2000s, Armendariz was permitted to fill the unused or unutilized closet at Mains Elementary School with school uniforms for K-12 students who did not have the funds to buy new school attire.
Armendariz鈥檚 advocacy for students鈥� well-being grew as she later became the coordinator for Family Resource Center in Calexico. The wardrobe project continued for years until the COVID-19 pandemic hit and schools were shut down.
For a brief time, the closet closed down as well. But an opportunity to move the wardrobe from Mains Elementary School to a full-size trailer at the Family Resource Center opened up after she received a big clothing donation from a local apparel store when it closed in 2020.
鈥淥ur team did not imagine the wardrobe closet was going to grow so much, especially since everything was shut down and we had no students on our campus to come in and take advantage of this resource,鈥� said Armendariz.
From casual to professional attire, the new wardrobe opened again in 2021 to community members and local K-12 and college students who may not have the financial means to buy new clothing.
鈥淭here鈥檚 an invisible barrier when it comes to asking for help or support,鈥� said Armendariz. 鈥淲e do not ask questions about someone鈥檚 situation and we understand that it鈥檚 not always easy to reach out to someone. It's embedded in our community and culture to always help out your neighbor. Clothes are not what makes you, but if it鈥檚 something that鈥檚 going to boost your confidence to apply for a job or go to school comfortably, then it鈥檚 all worth it.鈥�
The Family Resource Center accepts donations from community members and is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily at 604 W. Birch St.
