Teen launches clothing line to help sponsor kids
STOUFFVILLE, ON–Jared Henriques, founder of Pocket Change Apparel, was attending a music concert when Compassion did an appeal for child sponsors. The teenager found himself wondering “why giving and helping people was such an occasional thing."
“I started thinking about the usual things which youth waste their money on," he says, “like entertainment, music and clothing. Suddenly it hit me–why not create a clothing company which stands for something good, and gives its profits towards Compassion?"
Last spring, 18-year-old Henriques launched Pocket Change Apparel. The street clothing company sells T-shirts and hoodies and gives all of its profits to Compassion's “unsponsored children's fund."
“I love Compassion," Henriques says. “I love how genuine they are. You can't get away from their vision–releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name–because it's incorporated into their logo and on the side of their building. It's very clear why they're doing what they're doing."
Since launching in May 2010, Pocket Change has sold around 1,000 T-shirts, raising about $5,000 for Compassion. In December, they launched a new line of hoodies as well, selling about 130 in the first three weeks. Henriques says they hope to introduce a line of hats and other items this spring.
He says one of the reasons he was drawn to the idea of creating a clothing line to combat child poverty is that it seemed something that very few other people had tried. He now runs the company with help of friend Dustin Wood and Ben Bartosik, his former youth pastor at Springdale Church.
“I haven't been able to afford to hire myself yet," Henriques says. “We're just a band of volunteers right now."
He explains that the Pocket Change logo represents the mid-way point between a dollar sign transforming into a heart.
“Coming up with the logo was probably one of the biggest God moments for me," he says, “just watching it transform on the computer. I guess that from a human standpoint I 'made' it, but it was really a hinge moment for me, because when I was seeing it come together on the screen, I really felt, it was of God."
He adds that one of the most amazing parts of the entire process was seeing “the transformation that God has done through me personally.
“I'm just as average as anyone else," he adds. “It's unbelievable just to see the stuff that God can do. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. It's nothing that I've done by my own power. For me, it's really been a matter of just being along for the ride.
“I'd like people to pray," he adds, “for me, and for the other people involved. That I would continue to humble myself and remember what I'm doing this for, who I'm doing this for. Because if I ever lose sight of the vision, I don't want to be doing this anymore."
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
