Giving New Life to Old Materials, Erin Donaghy is the founder of Applause Lingerie, a sustainable lingerie line based in Tucson, Arizona. During her fashion design concentration at Pima Community College, she became interested in designing a brand that would utilize upcycled and deadstock fabrics after learning about the problems associated with textile production. The first opportunity to do so was through a challenge offered through Goodwill of Southern Arizona, which asked Pima students to create a total look from only Goodwill garments. Erin enjoyed creating a panties and bra set from a basketball jersey and a few assorted t-shirts! She continues to source the majority of her textiles from various local Goodwill stores. Applause Lingerie was launched last spring and aims to unify beautiful design with the goals of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals that are related to the fashion industry.
Will Anderson started at Goodwill as the Maintenance manager several years ago. He first had the opportunity to work with our Youth Restoration Project youth through internships and special projects. Will took an immediate liking to the youth staff and proved to be a great mentor, teaching them hands on skills and helping them gain confidence and perspective. After several years of hosting internships, Will formally became our Youth Restoration manager. He is devoted to bettering the lives of the young people he works with in the program. Will creates in depth action plans that address every aspect of their lives, transportation, housing, budgeting and of course education and training. On a daily basis, he is helping build a foundation for their success in the future.
Dakota Smith joined Goodwill’s Youth Restoration Project back in September of 2019. Since signing up with the program, Dakota has been working on getting his driver’s license, his GED and developing the skills to refinish and refurbish furniture, bikes and housewares. He has learned to work with, power tools, saws, drills, sanders, nail guns, and he even polishes and finishes the final products that are sold in our stores. Now that he has the skills and confidence he needs, his goal is to get his GED and then enroll in the Dental Hygienist Program at Pima Community College.
This episode made possible by the generous support of Goodwill of Southern Arizona