One Northbrook teen who knows what it is like to lose everythingdown to the clothes on her backhas now made it her mission to help dress the community.

Four years after losing her family home and possessions to a fire, Missy Brottman has teamed up with her mother, her high school and youth services to form a community closet, or thrift shop, to help clothe teens on a tight budget.

The Hang Up is anticipated to open at Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook this April after months of Brottmans planning.

Now a senior at Glenbrook North High School, Brottman said that when she and her family lost their home in 2006 they had lost everything.

I had no clothes, Brottman said. The day after the fire, we had sat in the mall shopping for like nine hours. Literally, [we] went in there in smiley face pajamas and just walked through the mall trying to get clothing.

Brottman said friends also reached out and even gave her items that would have otherwise been irreplaceablesuch as pants that were a giveaway from her Bat Mitzvah.

People were so willing to give to me that I just like giving back to everyone, she said. Thats all Ive grown up knowingis helping others.

This past year, Brottman said she and her mother got the idea to form a community closet after seeing a special on TV.

We had been talking about the economy and how people in Northbrook never thoughtand even Glenviewwould think that they would lose their jobs, Brottman said. We had seen on the news a girl who had come up with the idea of a closet in her town. So, I was like, Oh my God, mom, this is our opportunity.

Brottman said the idea also sparked because she had already been in the practice of borrowing clothes from her friends closetoriginally, she wanted to call the thrift shop My Best Friends Closet.

Thats where she shopped, said Ellen Brottman, Missys mother. We dont look at this as necessarily [only for] those who are possibly in financial need, but I think its something that everyone can come out and support.

The mother-daughter duo spent the last several months spreading the word through school flyers, and has been collecting clothing through a combination of pick-ups from peoples homes and through drop box locations.

Were pretty particular, Ellen Brottman said. Missy and I have gone through almost every piece and made sure that its not stained or ripped or badly worn, and that it would be something that one of us would think of buying.

Being a mom, Ill wash what needs to be washed, she added.

While some items donated are pricey brand names such as Free People and Juicy Couture, all items are prices between $1 and $5.

Things that are brand new, still with the tags on will be $5, Missy Brottman said. And then depending [on] the condition, it will get lower.

Items in the shop include boys pants and shirts as well as girls tops, skirts and dressessome elegant enough for school dances.

In the long run, Missy Brottman said she would like to incorporate involvement from GBNs service-oriented Interact Club, in addition to trying to get students from Glenbrook South High School involved.

Initially, she said she might have the resale closet open one day a week after school, with students running it during those hours.

In addition to the hours that the Hang Up would be open, we may bring some of our individual clients that are seen here for counseling or other programs that we run in, said Rachel Nathan, a youth worker at youth services. Because we protect confidentiality, it wouldnt be during the hours of the Hang Up.

The center would come up with discounted pricing for those who need it, Nathan added.

This is the first time weve ever done anything like this, said Lina Tran, another youth worker. I think it will be very fun and exciting for all the teens in the neighborhood to come to a place and buy affordable clothing.

Ironically, after having gone through the experience of having to replace her all of her possessions, Brottman said they matter less to her now.

Its familythings that you cant replace [that are] more important, Missy Brottman said.

Profits earned at the Hang Up will go toward youth services.

Clothing drop box locations include Glenbrook North High Schools student services office, 2300 Shermer Rd. Northbrook, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook, 3080 West Lake Ave., Glenview, from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

By Blair Chavis|TribLocal.com reporter

TribLocal.com photos by Blair Chavis