Bern’s Closet
Bern’s Closet
Bern’s Closet offers RIT students much-needed clothing items, generously donated by RIT staff, faculty, and Greater Rochester community members, with the goal for students to leave with a professional looking outfit—at no cost—to wear for the Career Fair and beyond.
Bern's Closet is open year-round at the RIT FoodShare location: 113 Riverknoll
Who is Bern?
Bernadette “Bern” DiMaggio Lynch was a woman of faith, strength, and laughter, and she was always willing to help anyone, especially by supporting her students at RIT. They adored her positive spirit and outlook on life. Bern always immersed herself into understanding the needs of students, so when there was a gap in services for first-generation college students, Bern created and launched the I’m First program with her team. Among her many legacies in the community, she was recognized with the renaming of the bi-annual career clothing drive, now named Bern’s Closet. In addition, to recognize Bern’s passion and commitment to helping students, the Bernadette Lynch Endowed Student Support Fund was also created by her RIT friends from Student Affairs and Student Auxiliary Services.