Peter Mitchell, Channel 7 - Clothes4U Men’s Shop

 

Peter Mitchell, Mornington Peninsula Leader
March 8, 2019 4:30pm

 

Mitch Matters: Clothes4U charity volunteers helping disadvantaged provide more than just clothes

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We all know the Mornington Peninsula has so many attractions, I would struggle to list them all in this column. And yet, despite everything our region has to offer, we are not immune from a complex problem that is getting worse all around the world. It’s the plight of our homeless.

For many reasons there are many rough sleepers on the Mornington Peninsula. The good news is that our region has also produced a dedicated band of volunteers willing to help these disadvantaged people.

A fortnight ago I was invited to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of a special clothing store in Rosebud. Inside, it looks like any reputable department store, with racks and racks of high quality clothes, shoes and accessories. But for the clients who walk through the shop’s doors, it’s strictly invitation only.

After establishing a similar store for disadvantaged women five years ago (which has since helped around 50 women a month), this remarkable group of predominantly retired women set their sights on providing the same for those men in our region who for many reasons, and not always of their doing, have fallen on hard times.

 

At the grand opening of Clothes4U, just a stone’s throw from the Rosebud Cinema, I recalled the recent story of the hairdresser in Melbourne who offered to wash a homeless man’s straggly hair and beard, and to give him a trim. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.“You want to do that for me?”; he said, incredulously. He took up the offer and was completely transformed, almost unrecognisable from his former appearance.

This random act of kindness gave the man a new found confidence. It didn’t give him a home, or possessions, or money, but a feeling of self-esteem that was priceless. It restored his faith in society and from a deep, dark place he was able to take steps towards helping himself.

The wonderful people at Clothes4U serve the same role as that hairdresser. Their mission is a simple one — to provide quality clothing, accessories, toiletries and more to disadvantaged people on the Mornington Peninsula. The people in need are referred to Clothes4U by a number of local agencies. Their service is free and their clients get to keep all the items they are given. The security and stability that a child or an adult can receive from items of clothing that many of us take for granted, can be profound. These are more than clothes for everyday wear, or for a court appearance, or a job interview or clothing for a special occasion. These are clothes for confidence, for self-esteem and for restoring their faith in society. This vital service, which is a registered charity, becomes even more important when our region is gripped by the depths of winter.

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The local council should be commended for providing the Rosebud premises for a very modest rental fee. It’s also hoped the current one-year rental term will receive a major extension. 

None of this would be possible were it not for the driving force of Clothes4U founder and president Veronica Whittaker. Veronica and her team of volunteers are a truly remarkable group. They have created all of this out of thin air. All the items in the store are donated and local builder Geoff Taylor superbly fitted out the interior for free.

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These people with huge hearts are trying to make us a better and more responsible community.

All power to them, I say.

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