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Sharia’s Closet: The place San Diegans in need of clothing can go. No questions asked.

In Elton John’s famous musical Aida, the main character proudly declares “I am what I wear… for my dress has always been my strongest suit.” Though amusing in this musical context, do you think there might be some truth to it? Does the way you dress actually influence the way you preform and act? Well, according to a study done by Northwestern University, your clothing does in fact influence your performance at work and school. One organization, Sharia’s Closet, is a non-profit dedicated to empowering homeless and low-income individuals through their clothing. To tell us more about what they do is CEO and founder Shamine Linton.

Listen to the interview

The Lisa Show, a morning talk show, airs daily beginning at 5 am PT/8am ET and is heard nationwide on Sirius XM channel 143 and simulcasting on 107.9 FM Salt Lake City and throughout Utah. They are also on DISH Network channel 980, all major podcast platforms, and streamed live at https://byuradio.org/listen

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Recently, Shamine Linton was interviewed by the Mission Times Courier.

“3,785 individuals. That’s the most I have served in one year,” Linton said. “When you break it down and hear every story, it’s heartbreaking but also uplifting because you get to be a sprinkle of hope, a sprinkle of joy, a sprinkle of love.”

Read more at Mission Times Courier

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ABC 10News San Diego’s Jonathan Horn reports about Sharia’s Closet: “a college area nonprofit dedicated to helping people through the pandemic may not survive itself.”

https://youtu.be/XdU3c-qVs60

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The strong, compassionate, big-hearted women in her family were a clear influence on Shamine Linton’s life, as she was growing up as a little girl in her home country of Jamaica. It was there, on her rural farm with goats, chickens and produce, that her grandmother taught her kindness and how to care for her community. Linton’s aunt was like a second mother to her, who supported Linton’s own mother, who’d had her as a teenager and experienced rejection and discrimination from others for having a child so young.

“The environment I grew up in gave me the desire to want to be the change I want to see. … If we harvested a big crop of potatoes, all our neighbors would receive potatoes, free of charge,” she said of the influence her upbringing had on her. “My mother, despite all the obstacles she faced, chose to raise me with courage, empathy and love. My mom exemplifies resilience and courage to me. She made me the woman I am today.”

And the woman that Linton is today is the founder and president of Sharia’s Closet, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency for San Diego families and individuals experiencing financial hardship or other crises.

Read the rest of the story at The San Diego Union-Tribune

Alternate link: From Jamaica to San Diego

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Cultivate San Diego recently interviewed Shamine Linton, Sharia’s Closet Founder and CEO, for their I Cultivate: Compassion event. “I Cultivate exists to encourage the communal pursuit of wholeness within our wonderful San Diego community!” shared Cultivate, “We desire to create an atmosphere that encourages group wellness in every season of life!” Cultivate chose Shamine as an example in the local community of a person who demonstrates compassion for others. Her mission is to provide free emergency clothing to people who have an immediate need and empower them with self-esteem and self-identity.

https://youtu.be/0nmelUNb8qo
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The Sustainable Urban Network (SUN) radio talk show recently interviewed Shamine Linton and Erika Guzman to talk about the difference Sharia’s Closet is making in the community. Check out the video.

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The San Diego Family Justice Center has highlighted Sharia’s Closet in their Community Partner Spotlight. They wrote:

Shamine Linton grew up seeing need in her native country of birth, Jamaica. Some children couldn’t go to school because of lack of appropriate clothes. On summer trips back there, she would take articles of clothing that she had gathered all year long. These acts of kindness and the gratitude of the recipients were “fulfilling, overwhelming, joyous.”

Shamine and her family started the non-profit Sharia’s Closet. It is named after their eleven-year-old daughter, Sharia.

Sharia’s Closet provides clothing for all populations in need, including victims of natural disasters, human trafficking, and domestic violence as well as for refugees, unemployed, injured, disabled, and homeless. Sharia at her young age is committed to carrying on her mother’s work because, as she says, “a lot of people are in need and don’t have enough money for clothing and prices go up every day.”  

Shamine and her husband have been married for twenty years and their family includes, besides Sharia, their 19-year-old son, Shamari, who is serving in the Air Force. Shamine says “I believe that community means taking care of each other with good intentions regardless of background or circumstances. Together we can make this world a better place one action at a time, one day at a time, and one bag at a time.”

Every bag of clothing includes an inspirational note. Shamine says, “We are not just giving clothes. We are giving hope, love, encouragement, kindness, and dignity.”

Clothing often comes from drives at school preceding students’ arrival to perform hours of community service. Some are so inspired that they continue after their service has been fulfilled. Sharia’s Closet is styled as a boutique, with rooms for various needs (children, professional, etc.)

Sharia’s Closet is now a Community Partner with the Family Justice Center. Although the FJC maintains a large supply of professional clothing for women, Sharia’s Closet has filled a great need to provide children and casual clothing for families.  

One person can make a huge difference in the lives of many people. Shamine is a powerful example of that.

COVID-19 Update: FJC volunteers are assisting Sharia’s Closet during the COVID-19 healthy emergency. Thank you to Shamine and our FJC volunteers for providing much-needed resources during this time!

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Sharia’s Closet will host Motiv for Good Deeds Day

Motiv will bring their student volunteers to Sharia’s Closet on Sunday, March 29th for international Good Deeds Day. Motiv connects San Diego high school students to meaningful volunteer service. Good Deeds Day is an international day of volunteering that unites people from around the world of all backgrounds, religions and faiths in doing good deeds for others and the planet.

If you are a high schooler or know a high schooler who is passionate about giving back and meeting new friends, let them know about this event!

Registration

Spots will be available on a first come first serve basis. To register, go to Motiv’s Service Project page.

Sharia’s Closet is greatful to host this community service project. We could not do what we do—provide free, emergency clothing to people in need—without the help of the community and partnerships with organizations like Motiv.

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