Temecula High School Students Launch Free Community Closet For Families In Need

TEMECULA, CA — A group of Temecula Valley High School students is turning a year of community service into a new resource for families in need, opening a free Community Closet on campus in November.

Rising Above, a student-led club, will host the grand opening from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Temecula Valley High School, 31555 Rancho Vista Road.

Here, families can shop a growing collection of gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories in a store setting at no cost. The free community closet will operate monthly through May 2027, with plans to reopen in the fall.

Founded in 2025 by then-juniors Kennedy Whitson and Emma Karazin, Rising Above focuses on helping children and families affected by child abuse, neglect, domestic violence and substance abuse. Through partnerships with Temecula Valley nonprofits, these students have organized donation drives, volunteered and raised awareness of the challenges facing vulnerable families. The Community Closet grew out of that work when Kennedy and the Rising Above group identified a gap in access to free clothing and shoes for families experiencing financial hardship or other difficult circumstances. The program aims to help fill that need while giving local students a hands-on role in supporting their community.

Turning the idea into reality took months of planning and collaboration among students, school district officials and community organizations, a Rising Above spokesperson tells Patch. They drew in the Temecula Valley Unified School District, whose communications director Mike Marbal championed the project. Other key partnerships include the Temecula Valley Woman's Club, SAFE Family Justice Centers and Oak Grove Center.

Logistical planning, partnership arrangements, gathering stock for the store, and planning its landmark opening have taken months.

"The group met throughout the summer to work through the details of opening the closet on the high school campus," Kennedy said.

The project ultimately received approval from TVUSD Assistant Superintendent Nicole Lash and Temecula Valley High School Principal Donna Lione, with additional support from ASB Director Eric Burlingham and faculty adviser Zachary Force.

Students are now preparing donated clothing for the inaugural event.

Working with fellow club members and alumni adviser Jaden Whitson, the students have spent several months collecting, sorting, folding and organizing donated clothing, shoes and accessories to complete the "store."

While the club has received plenty of women's clothing, they have asked for additional donations of infant, children's, and teen clothing, which are especially needed.

There Is Still Time To Donate: Here's What's Needed.

Organizers are also seeking monetary contributions to cover startup and ongoing operating expenses, along with corporate donations and sponsorships to help sustain the program.

High school students enrolled in TVUSD schools can volunteer at the opening event. Volunteer opportunities for the event are limited to those students.

Parents and families are welcome to attend and select available clothing and other items free of charge at the Community Closet.

Those interested in donating, volunteering or sponsoring the project can contact Rising Above at risingaboveTVHS@gmail.com or through Instagram at @risingaboveTVHS.