Interview with Cathy Hamilton, CEO, San Antonio Threads
1. For readers meeting you for the first time, how do you describe your work as CEO of San Antonio Threads and the mission that drives you?
San Antonio Threads has advocated for 10 years to offer youth 12-21 to have a better alternative to receiving NEW clothing & etc. while in foster care, homeless, students or other at risk youth in SA.
2. Looking back on your path from CASA advocacy to nonprofit leadership, what experiences most shaped your decision to found San Antonio Threads?
Seeing first hand that teens only had access to less than thrift clothing, shoes & the manner of which it was placed in boxes & barrels.
3. When you first witnessed teens choosing clothing from a barrel, how did that moment crystallize the dignity-first, retail-like model you built at Threads?
I knew there was a better way & that teens deserved better for their mental health & well being as they go through foster care, homes & schools.
4. Zooming into the boutique experience, what is one concrete design or operations choice in your space that most protects teens’ dignity?
The clothing & shoes are displayed near key on retail fixtures, sizes & organized. There are mannequins, & fitting rooms, along with. Stylist to assist the teen shopper.
5. Stepping beyond the boutique, how do you structure partnerships and referrals with CPS, CASA, and other government or nonprofit partners so youth can access services seamlessly?
It’s been 10 years providing for at risk teens in SA. The website is easy to navigate to submit referrals. We are visit le in social media sites & out in the community to answer questions.
6. To keep improving, what is one low-lift way your team gathers feedback from teens about their experience at Threads?
We and every teen to leave a note in their own words after they have shopped & how their experience was. We also keep in contact with foster agencies & schools for feedback.
7. On the people side, how do you prepare and coach staff and volunteers to serve traumatized teens with consistency and care?
We train volunteers with experienced staff & volunteers & are always available while teens are shopping.
8. From your experience, what approach has proven most effective for running a new-clothing drive that results in items today’s teens actually want to wear?
Streamlining an item or two. Whether it’s a hygiene product drive, T-shirt or shirts drive, or shoes. The simplest drive works best & is cost effective for the donors.
9. Finally, for readers of Texas Adoption Center across Texas, what is one immediate action they can take this week to support a teen’s dignity in their home, classroom, or casework?
Have hygiene products on hand, get involved with other closets to see what the pressing needs are. Organize a drive, support clothing closets on social media platforms ! Collect gift cards to have on hand so the teens could shop on their own.
