News
Fall 2023 Community Report
Download our latest Community Report here (pdf) »
2022 Impact Report
Learn more about the impact we've had together! Get our 2022 Impact Report here (pdf) »
E-newsletter
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Seeking clothing drive hosts
We're deeply grateful to our generous clothing drive hosts below. Want to host a clothing drive? Get more information here »
2023 clothing drive results
- American Medical Student Association (AMSA) at Northeastern University - thank you!
- Benchling - 111 pounds
- Bergmeyer - 318 pounds
- Berkshire Bank - 397 pounds
- Brickbottom Artists Building - 1,529 pounds so far!
- Cambridge Matignon School - 505 pounds
- Cardinal Health Women's Impact Network - thank you!
- Center Communities of Brookline Hebrew Senior Life - 536 pounds
- Clarion Healthcare - 183 pounds
- Clippership Apartments on the Wharf - 1,769 pounds
- Coldwell Banker Realty - 773 pounds
- Elements Massage - 286 pounds
- EY - Parthenon - 533 pounds
- Gibson Sotheby's International Realty - 2,194 pounds
- Greentown Labs - 437 pounds
- Hillman Homes - 929 pounds
- Hilton Boston Faneuil Hall - 306 pounds
- Hult International Business School - 841 pounds so far!
- Junior League of Boston - 319 pounds
- Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity at Northeastern University - 92 pounds
- Kimpton Marlowe Hotel - 104 pounds
- Longfellow Real Estate Partners - 260 pounds
- Microsoft - 343 pounds in September, and more soon!
- Naveo Credit Union - 523 pounds
- NEPC, LLC - 103 pounds
- Omega Psi Phi - 513 pounds
- Omega Therapeutics - 553 pounds
- One First Condominium - 794 pounds
- PUMA North America - 685 pounds
- Rockland Trust - 1,576 pounds
- Steve McKenna and the Home Advantage Team - 1,703 pounds in the spring and 1,287 in the fall
- Temple Isaiah, Lexington - 953 pounds
- Wellesley Hills Congregational Church - 930 pounds
- YWCA Cambridge Renae's Place - 148 pounds
Thank you to everyone who has coordinated and participated in a clothing drive - we are grateful for your generosity and enthusiasm!
News archives
In late 2022 and 2023, we began using a new email platform. We are learning the best way to archive the emails from this system and will post them when we're able to. Sign up here to receive occasional e-newsletters and event invitations in your inbox.
2022 newsletters: November, October, June, Spring Refresh Thank You, Spring Refresh Invitation, Earth Day, March, and February.
2021 newsletters: mid-December, November, May, Earth Day, March.
2020 newsletters: mid-December, early December, October, September, late April, Earth Day, April, February, and January.
2019 newsletters: early December, late November, early November, October, mid-September, early September, early June, May, April, March, February.
Community reports: Fall 2023 (pdf), Fall 2022 (pdf), Fall 2021 (pdf), Fall 2020 (pdf), Fall 2019 (pdf), Summer/Fall 2017 (pdf), Spring 2016 (pdf), Fall 2014 (pdf), and Spring 2012 (pdf). Special thanks to our volunteers: Jill Davidson (writing and editing 2017), Mary Todd (graphic design 2016 and 2014), Fiona Crimmins (writing 2016, editing 2016 and 2014), and Jackie Cefola (graphic design 2012).
Other coverage
Our founder and CEO was interviewed by the Somerville Wire in May 2022. Read more »
It was fun to talk about recycling and reusing clothing and textiles on The Wardrobe Muse podcast with Lisa Ann Schraffa Santin of LASS Wardrobe. Listen here »
Our 2020 COVID-19 emergency response grant from Tufts University was featured in The Somerville Times »
What a surprise to be included in Rockland Trust's 2018 Annual Report! That's our CEO, Andrea, receiving a grant check from JJ, the Davis Square Branch Manager. Photo on page 7 »
It was an honor to be featured in Tufts Now in November 2018 during the kick off for Tufts University's employee charitable giving appeal.
Thanks to the Boston Globe for including us in a discussion of curbside textile recycling and its impact on local clothing donation programs in September 2018 »
Second Chances was included among some other terrific organizations in this Boston Mom's Guide blog post in September 2018 »
We're beyond grateful to our colleagues at Vinfen for discussing the impact of the clothing we provide for their clients in their October 2016 newsletter and on their blog! »
Many thanks to our wonderful community partners at Somerville Homeless Coalition for featuring our collaboration to provide free clothing to their homeless and very low-income clients in their fall 2016 newsletter! Read more on page 2 »
Congratulations to Scout Somerville on publishing its 40th issue in July/August 2016! Thank you for featuring our founder and CEO among 40 local leaders who are shaping Somerville's future. Read more on their page 45 »
We loved seeing this May/June 2016 article featuring our work in Spare Change News »
Thanks to Boston Mamas for including us in a terrific January 2015 blog post about helping kids and families in need in our community! There's some great information and wonderful organizations here »
Loved this spring 2014 article on Upward Facing Somerville in the Somerville Beat! Read more »
Our Founder and CEO, Andrea Shapiro, was featured in Smith College's Winter 2010-11 Alumnae Quarterly. Read more here »
Your gift changes lives!
On May 6, 2015, nearly 200
Second Chances supporters celebrated 10 years of providing free clothing, shoes, accessories, and gift cards to neighbors in need. Here's our Founder, Andrea Shapiro, with Cashmere sponsor and dad, Alan Shapiro, and event planner Jennessa Durrani of Celebrate, lighting the candles on the anniversary cake donated by Whole Foods Market in Somerville.
Lise Stahl Brown of Bay State College presents the winner of the Recycled Fashion Challenge at our 10th anniversary celebration.