What begins as a shopping trip often becomes something much more at TenThirtyFive.
The Middle Tennessee nonprofit provides young women facing difficult circumstances with an uplifting shopping experience. Through referrals from community partner organizations, participants receive a shopping voucher to choose clothing for school, work, or everyday life. They also leave with brand-new undergarments, beauty products, and a handwritten note reminding them of their worth. The goal is not simply to fill a closet. It is to help restore confidence.
For founder Angie, that mission has been years in the making.
After graduating from college, she worked for a juvenile court judge, where she noticed a pattern among many of the young women coming through the system.
"I saw a lot of girls making the same choices that I realized I had made in middle school and high school," she said. "It began a passion to serve the youth during that particular season of life."
Although the calling stayed with her, the idea for TenThirtyFive did not take shape until years later while she was a stay-at-home mom. During a conversation with a friend, she realized clothing could become the bridge to encouragement and hope.
The organization launched in 2019 with a mobile boutique that traveled to partner organizations. What started with just two community partners has grown into two storefront locations and partnerships with approximately 52 organizations across Middle Tennessee.
The nonprofit's name comes from Hebrews 10:35-36, a passage that has guided its mission from the beginning.
"It says, 'Do not throw away your confidence, for it will be richly rewarded,'" Angie said. "It is a reminder to put your hope and identity in Christ."
Today, every shopping appointment is designed to feel welcoming and dignified. Women arrive at one of TenThirtyFive's upscale thrift stores, where they watch a short video reminding them of their worth before shopping. In addition to receiving free bras, underwear and socks, each participant is given a shopping voucher that stretches far thanks to the store's affordable prices.
Some visitors even experience "Makeover Monday," where volunteer stylists, including several Nashville-based celebrity stylists, help them select outfits while treating them to lunch.
"They're going to be able to shop. Sometimes we have something called Makeover Monday, so they get a personal stylist, and they get lunch. It's so fun," Angie said.
Young women are referred through organizations already serving them, including Youth Villages, the YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, the Office of Family Safety and other community partners supporting women experiencing foster care, domestic violence, addiction recovery and other life challenges.
While many women arrive feeling shy or uncertain, Angie says the transformation by the end of their visit is unmistakable.
"I think the difference is definitely confidence when they leave, which is the ultimate goal," she said. "Some people don't realize what the difference a good outfit is going to make until they've picked it out and are thinking about how they're going to wear it."
One participant's journey has remained especially meaningful. After overcoming addiction, she eventually returned, not as a shopper but as a staff member.
"We were able to see her go from soon after active addiction to thriving," Angie said. "She had a full-time job and then a part-time job with us. Being able to see her every day and then watch her encourage other women experiencing the same things was really special."
As TenThirtyFive continues to grow, the need remains greater than ever.
"The need in Nashville is huge," Angie said. "It never seems to be enough. We hate turning away people, but even now we still have to."
Looking ahead, the nonprofit hopes to expand through an affiliate model, allowing communities across the country to launch their own TenThirtyFive locations. The first affiliate has already opened in Wasaga Beach, Canada, with interest growing from cities including Atlanta and Dallas.
For those wondering how to help, Angie says the answer may already be hanging in their closet.
"Everything that we have is donated," she said. "We all have something within our means to be able to help our neighbor. It could be the outfit that's sitting in your closet that's not being worn."
tenthirtyfive.net