Retailer aims to make a difference in teens' lives

Teen retailer rue21 is collaborating with a youth nonprofit to make a positive impact on the lives of its customers.



The company announced it is partnering with Together We Rise, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the way youth navigate through the foster care system in America. The collaboration is a new addition to rue21’s philanthropy initiative, rueGIVESback.



“At rue21 we are dedicated to giving back to the communities and customers who have made us successful. We are thrilled to be able to collaborate with an organization like Together We Rise and help teens and young adults improve their lives,” said Bob Fisch, president and CEO of rue21.



The vision of Together We Rise is to improve the lives of foster children in America. Part of rue21 and TWR’s partnership will include shopping spree events for foster teens in California and Colorado. The teens are able to come into the store and shop for new clothing, donated by rue21, as well as engage with the associates to help them pick out the newest trends, leaving them feeling motivated and excited about their new looks.



In addition to the new partnership, the retailer announced that this holiday season, rue21 associates participated in a number of initiatives for rueGIVESback. At its support center in Pittsburgh the company held a toy drive for Toys for Tots, and a coat drive, “Coats for a Cause,” where associates donated nearly 500 coats to the homeless in Pittsburgh. The company also sponsored a “Cheer for Charity” contest whereby the top performing stores this holiday season will be given the ability to make cash contributions to their favorite charities on behalf of rue21.



Rue21 currently operates 1,188 stores in 48 states in shopping malls, outlets and strip centers, and on its website.