Local Teens’ Closet Program Finds Fresh Start with New Coordinator Nikki Semprun While Continuing its Legacy in Helping Prescott area Youth
by Chelsea Buck-Leilich
Nikki Semprun grew up crabbing and wakeboarding near Chesapeake Bay, so her decision to move to Arizona and attend Prescott College seemed unlikely. “I just wanted something different,” she said. “I loved the college’s approach to learning and its hands-on philosophy. My mom and I flew to Arizona to visit, and I haven’t looked back since.”
Part of her journey since arriving in Prescott more than a decade ago has included numerous roles with North Star Youth Partnership, a program of Catholic Charities. During college, she worked on Priceless Prom, helping provide prom attire free of charge to area youth, and soon after, she was hired as a Youth Program Specialist. For years, Nikki ran North Star’s student-based mentoring programs before taking some time off to focus on her growing family.
In 2014 she married her husband, Mychal, a Prescott native and lead pastor at Discovery Church, where Nikki is involved in helping facilitate community service projects and biking and camping trips. Nikki and Mychal welcomed their first son in 2016 and have had three more children since (she’s expecting at the time of this writing). When she’s not working or playing the role of mom, Nikki loves being outdoors, gardening, hiking, doing yoga, and painting.
It was no wonder that Diane DeLong, North Star’s Senior Program Manager, reached out to Nikki after the Teens’ Closet coordinator position opened earlier this year. “She called me and asked if I knew anyone who might be interested,” shared Nikki. “I said, ‘Umm, me!’” Nikki started her position with Teens’ Closet in July 2023.
About the Program
Teens’ Closet, a program of North Star, provides free, quality clothing to Prescott quad-city-area teens ages 13-19 who are in financial need. Set up like a clothing boutique, Teens’ Closet is located on the campus of Taylor Hicks Elementary School. Teens can come in every other month to shop with a parent or guardian if they’re under 18. They can make appointments by calling 928.379.1667.
A Vision for Teens’ Closest
Nikki credits Teens’ Closet founder and former manager, Krystal Koons, with creating an amazing foundation for the program. “It’s nice to be back working with the community,” said Nikki as she reflected on her return to North Star. “Seeing tangible needs and being able to meet them is a huge part of what brings me purpose.”
Some changes have been made to Teens’ Closet under Nikki’s leadership. She has incorporated plus sizes, up to 4XL, throughout the racks to make the space feel inclusive. Teens’ Closet is being refreshed with new teen-friendly décor and Nikki has plans to paint an abstract accent wall. She is also working to recruit new volunteers and funders while nurturing existing donor relationships.
More than a Place to Shop
“We don’t just provide people with clothing; we connect them to resources,” shared Nikki. The program and its volunteers help those enrolled find academic tutors, job and career opportunities, and offer support writing resumes, as well as community resources.
“It’s been awesome to see the looks on the shoppers’ faces when they come in and we have a pair of shoes in the right size for them,” said Nikki. “The excitement of getting something new and nice, that fits and gives them confidence for school is invaluable. But beyond that, having the ability to have conversations with the parents to not only help the youth, but the entire family is what it’s all about. Teens’ Closet is about way more than clothing; it’s about breaking the cycle of poverty.”
Learn more about Teens’ Closet at https://www.northstaryouth.org/Teens-Closet.
How to Help Teens’ Closet
Monetary donations, Visa gift cards or gift cards to local retailers like Ross, Target, TJ Maxx and Walmart are always appreciated and incredibly useful for those “above and beyond” situations like a recent teen who needed steel-toed boots for his new job.
Other needs include new name-brand shoes such as VANS, Converse, Nike, or Adidas; new Levi’s jeans (all sizes and styles); new socks and underwear (all sizes); new plain colored t-shirts (boys sizes 1X-5X); new sweatpants; gloves and beanies. Toiletry items such as shampoo, body wash, hairbrushes and hair ties are also needed.
Donations can be dropped off 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Catholic Charities, 434 W Gurley Street in Prescott.