My Sister’s Closet has 12 months to raise over $2 million to be able to move to a new location at 1204 W. Second Street. The new address would be the first time the nonprofit owned its building since opening in 1998.
My Sister’s Closet signed its current lease at 414 S. College Ave. in 2014 knowing of the need for a new location. Founder and executive director Sandy Keller said the lease has been extended; however, that agreement among others in the area will end in June 2026.
Read more: Convention center expansion underway
The Monroe County Commissioners decided not to extend leases for My Sister’s Closet and other buildings south of the Convention Center due to cost of maintenance and the poor conditions of some of the buildings.
My Sister's Closet offers women who are in vulnerable positions, such as being unhoused, hygiene products, clothes, workshops and more to help them attain jobs.
All money raised for the Relocation Fund Campaign will go toward renovating and expanding the new location.
The new building has been purchased, but needs to be renovated before move in. The renovations alone will cost about $300,000, Keller said. At the time of publication, around $215,000 has been raised.
“We have very, very proudly been able to be self-sustaining as an organization for 27 years and only asking a little bit at a time from our community,” Keller said. “This is the first time that we've actually really needed their help.”
Keller said the Second Street location offers more space to hold items and workshops, free parking spaces and proximity to a bus line. The new location will also be organized and designed differently, which will allow My Sister’s Closet to have a children’s area and a better area for workshops.