At just 16, Vy Le of Olympia High School has made a remarkable impact by founding WhereWear, a project dedicated to providing quality clothing to domestic violence shelters. The inspiration for WhereWear came after her cousin experienced hardships that led her to a shelter, revealing a critical gap in access to appropriate clothing, especially for job interviews. Vy’s initiative began as a community service project with the Washington State Leadership Board, where she organized a successful clothing drive that raised $500. With the help of her peers, they purchased essential items from Goodwill and distributed them to local shelters. In its first year, WhereWear donated over 7,000 clothing items to shelters across five states, driven by the urgent needs identified in a comprehensive shelter database.

Operating under the fiscal sponsorship of the Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation, WhereWear can accept tax-deductible donations, further amplifying its reach. Vy’s story underscores the transformative power of youth-led initiatives in addressing pressing social issues. Her journey not only supports vulnerable populations but also serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for other young leaders.