Support Staffer Connie Belvanis of our Bronx Office is determined to make a difference for the young men and women of New York City. Her passion for her work and her dedication to her colleagues and clients has helped Connie create one of Legal Aid’s most unique initiatives, which reaches hundreds of young New Yorkers each year. For over 25 years, Connie’s larger-than-life personality has made a lasting impact on the lives of generations of our clients.

A few years ago, Connie Belnavis had a flash of inspiration. If you ask her, she’ll tell you she was inspired when she “saw young men walking into the courtroom with pants sagging and with ripped shirts.” Connie started taking clothing donations to offer these kids the proper clothing they deserve. Now, “Connie’s Closet,” as it’s come to be known, offers the essentials to young New Yorkers across our city.

If you look good, you feel good.

But her work wasn’t finished there. Connie saw another problem for these young people. “I thought about the kids who were going to prom, kids who are graduating” or even kids going to their first job interview. So, she created Threads for Success, which offered young clients clothes for those special occasions. Connie still works to give these kids the best she can. She’s proud to say “I don’t do missing buttons, and I don’t do stains.” As she sees it, these kids “already live with a stigma.” But, as she has seen, a nice set of clothes can make all the difference. Just ask Connie: “if you look good, you feel good.”

Growing up, I was always taught to give back.

At the end of the day, Connie is driven to “to motivate and instill confidence in our clients by giving them a sense of pride and belonging, and to help with their personal and professional goals, ultimately sending young people into the world feeling more confident and increasing their chances for success.” And through Connie’s Closet, she has more than succeeded.

Connie’s work touches the lives of hundreds of New York children every year. Whether she’s coordinating the donation of strollers for teenage mothers or helping prepare family-fun events for teens in foster care, Connie’s love for her clients spills over into every facet of her work. She will tell you herself that “my passion is making sure that these children’s needs are met.” And she does everything in her power to make sure they are. Outside of her work orchestrating Connie’s Closet, Connie is always there for the kids she helps, as someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, or just as a role model to look up to. No matter what project Connie takes on next, one thing is for sure: she’ll be changing the lives of even more young New Yorkers for years to come.