{"id":219834,"date":"2022-12-19T08:47:38","date_gmt":"2022-12-19T13:47:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=219834"},"modified":"2023-01-09T10:58:59","modified_gmt":"2023-01-09T15:58:59","slug":"season-of-giving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2022\/12\/19\/season-of-giving\/","title":{"rendered":"Season of Giving"},"content":{"rendered":"

Navrose Bajwa, a graduate student in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, was busy sorting through racks of recycled red dresses, black slacks and white dress shirts inside the Montclair State University boutique known as Rocky\u2019s Closet<\/a>. New clothes were arriving on this December morning, thanks to a clothes drive by the African American Caucus, which was encouraging donations of professional clothes to make a difference in a student\u2019s life, and in turn, making sustainability chic.<\/p>\n

Run by the Office for Social Justice and Diversity, Rocky\u2019s Closet offers free clothing to students to help them dress for success at job interviews, formal affairs or graduation. \u201cWe’ve all heard the sayings, \u2018clothes make the man or the woman,\u2019 and \u2018you are what you wear.\u2019 All of that means you get special inspiration,\u201d says Justice Studies Associate Professor Reginia Judge, acting president of the African American Caucus. \u201cYou get that oomph. When you’re dressed well, you feel confident.\u201d<\/p>\n

Judge was on hand to help give the career clothes, donated by Montclair staffers, a second life. Rocky\u2019s Closet accepts new or slightly used professional clothing, shoes and accessories for business settings, including gender-neutral\/inclusive clothing options. All donated clothes are dry-cleaned and ready to wear.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have students and people who work on campus who are in need. Sometimes it’s hard to ask for help,\u201d Judge says. \u201cBut with a central location where you can find something to make a good first impression, to make you feel good about interviewing, to make you feel good while you’re doing a presentation, it’s important that Montclair makes that available. We are a public serving institution and this is a great example of the services available on campus that help us help one another.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rocky\u2019s Closet is located on the fourth floor of Alice Paul Hall in The Village, 45 Clove Road, Little Falls. It is open three days a week by appointment by emailing rockyscloset@montclair.edu<\/strong><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

Want to contribute? Email rockyscloset@montclair.edu<\/strong><\/a> to learn how to donate clothing or cash, or make a purchase from this Amazon Wish List.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/h2>\n
Navrose Bajwa, graduate coordinator at Rocky\u2019s Closet, left, and Justice Studies Associate Professor Reginia Judge, collect donated clothing in Alice Paul Hall. \u201cThis closet has some awesome clothing,\u201d Judge says.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Navrose Bajwa, an international student from India studying for a master\u2019s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, moves a rack of men\u2019s slacks at Rocky\u2019s Closet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"close-up
Students can select from a colorful collection of women\u2019s business jackets. Rocky\u2019s Closet is in need of small and extra-small sizes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Add a finishing touch from a wide selection of neckties.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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