ReRunz is a second hand clothing store fully operated by teens out of the East Boston BCYF community centers. The purpose of ReRunz is not to generate profit but to address and solve a problem in East Boston that most don't know about. United Way presented an opportunity for us to create a business through their Youth Venture project. The business only had two requirements....One, we had to create
a business that was based on a realistic need in our community. And secondly we had to take the profit that came from the business and use it to give back. We came together from both BCYF Martin Pino Community Center and BCYF Paris Street Community Center and knew exactly what issue we wanted to address in East Boston. Last year, about 5 friends at our after school program did not have winter jackets or proper clothes for the winter months. Our youth worker took them to Salvation Army for Christmas and bought them each a jacket. We never realized how many of our friends didn't have clothes that were needed during the winter months, and it was mostly because they were embarrassed to say their family couldn't afford to buy them any. We hated the thought of our friends or anyone having this problem. So we came up with the idea to open up a thrift shop that would give our peers and their families access to affordable clothing that is appropriate for all of Boston's seasons. ReRunz main goal is make sure anyone who needs clothes can afford them and have easy access to them. The stores profit will be used to supply free items such as hats, gloves, socks, etc. We want see a change in our community, and ReRunz is our action plan.
