New Clinton initiative provides clothing and essentials

By Cara Pridemore

Threads of Possibility is a new community-based initiative, focused on providing clothing and everyday essentials to people in need throughout Clinton.

“Needing support doesn’t always mean someone isn’t trying,” said Threads of Possibility founder Ashley Chrietzberg. “Most people don’t want a handout. They just need a chance to catch their breath.”

Currently operating online, Threads of Possibility has an active Facebook presence, where Chrietzberg connects donors with individuals requesting help. Late last month, she opened a Google form allowing people to submit their first name, needed items and a general address. Chrietzberg then collects donated goods and matches them to each request before delivering the items.

Threads of Possibility collects donated goods and matches them to requests. Those making requests are only asked to submit their first name and a general address, removing barriers that can commonly be a daunting part of seeking assistance.

The initiative was created to remove common barriers that people face when seeking assistance. Many aid programs require extensive documentation to prove hardship – a process Chrietzberg has endured.

“The process is exhausting when you’re completely stretched thin already, and I just don’t want anybody else in our community to have to go through something like that for something so basic like food or formula, clothes, things like that,” Chrietzberg said.

Rather than requiring paperwork and personal explanations, Threads of Possibility focuses on meeting specific needs quickly and privately. Preserving dignity is important in Chrietzberg’s work. Those requesting help aren’t asked to disclose details or meet with the deliverer in person. Instead, deliveries can be arranged to a general location.
“I’m not going to ask what they’re facing in that moment or why they need these items,” Chrietzberg said.

Threads of Possibility also addresses logistical challenges, such as transportation.

“Another thing is the logistics of finding a ride to go and pick up what you need,” Chrietzberg said. By delivering items directly, the initiative eliminates that obstacle.
Chrietzberg’s motivation for creating the program is deeply personal.

Three years ago, she left an abusive relationship. At the time, she had one young daughter and found out she was pregnant with her son.

“I was in survival mode for a really long time,” she said. “Just working, also taking care of kids, getting through a long custody battle.”

Having experienced the difficulty of requesting assistance firsthand, she wanted to create a program that made accessing necessities simple.

The response has been encouraging.

“I really didn’t discuss this with anybody before coming out with it,” Chrietzberg said. “I just kind of posted it trying to see where it would go. I just knew that there wasn’t a program in Clinton that’s like this.”

Since launching the initiative, she has received strong community support, ranging from private donors to local business partnerships. Lesia Daniel at Funtime Preschool has partnered with Threads of Possibility to organize a hygiene item drive on February 13 and has invited Chrietzberg to speak at the Mississippi State Capitol about the initiative.

Chrietzberg has also seen consistent engagement and support through social media.

Looking ahead, her long-term goals include growing the initiative’s online following and securing storage space. For now, donations are being stored in her home, but she hopes to move them into a storage unit as Threads of Possibility expands.

She also hopes to continue spreading awareness through word of mouth, so that people in need know where to turn.

“If I do find out that something happened in the community where someone may need support, I want to be able to reach out to them directly and say, ‘We’re here for whatever you need,’” Chrietzberg said.

With the specific request form now open, Chrietzberg encourages the community to donate.

“A lot of people may have stuff stored that they don’t really think about,” she said. “That could be very useful for someone else. It may just be sitting up in an attic for them, but it could be a completely fresh start for somebody else.”

Chrietzberg has overcome many difficulties in her life and used them to create a system of support for others.

“Threads can be completely uneven,” she said. “They’re not perfect, but they can be used to create. If you have a tear in your shirt, you’ll use a bunch of threads to sew that up, then, those threads can lead to endless possibilities, but mainly the possibility to grow, to heal.”

For more information about Threads of Possibility or to find the donation or request form, follow “Threads of Possibility” on Facebook.