Threads For Teens

Mission Threads For Teens’ goal is to help young, less-fortunate girls build their self-esteem, confidence and give them hope. We will accomplish this through the gifts of clothing, support, and education. If everyone does a little no one has to do a lot. If we can just brighten the days and lives of a few girls, we can change it for all the disadvantaged girls by spreading the word thanks to modern day communications. We are the future leaders of the world; if we can give each other confidence, nothing can stop us. History Threads for Teens was founded one morning in January 2010 after then fourteen year old, Allyson Ahlstrom, had finished the book Generation Change, by Zach Hunter. The book detailed different service projects that teenagers had completed across the country, with some kids as young as twelve. That evening, she got together a letter, a logo, and a name. The original idea was to outfit ten deserving girls (foster care, extreme situations of poverty, etc.) in two brand-new head-to-toe outfits. Within a week of founding Threads for Teens, she sent out over three hundred letters, soliciting clothing donations. For several months, she worked diligently collecting donations from different clothing companies. She says that she was “personally so shocked at the amount of companies willing to help. The generosity displayed was (and still is) incredible.” Finally, in August 2010, the boutique opening was set. The kick-off for Threads for Teens was a great success, catering to thirteen teenage girls. All were very ecstatic to receive the brand-new clothing. With the generous support of Lori and Bill DenBeste, Allyson was able to keep Threads for Teens open beyond the clothing drive as a full-time boutique. In September 2011, Threads for Teens officially became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Since then, Threads for Teens has served 3500 girls across the United States, with plans to grow exponentially.