About Us

Project Ropa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates the only mobile clothing closet of its kind for people in need in Los Angeles. Project Ropa’s mission is to reduce textile waste and restore dignity by providing clothing and hygiene essentials to those in need, while advocating for clothing to be recognized as an essential human right.

What We Do

At Project Ropa, we recognize that clothing is more than just fabric—it’s a fundamental human need. Our mobile walk-in clothing closet brings more than clean clothes, shoes, accessories, and hygiene kits to underserved communities across Los Angeles—it brings dignity, confidence, and a renewed sense of self. By helping people find clothing that fits their size, style, and identity, we aim to uplift morale and open doors to employment and housing opportunities. Our work is deeply rooted in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which identifies clothing as part of the foundation for security, self-esteem, and ultimately, self-actualization.

To support this mission, we partner with manufacturers, retailers, corporations, nonprofits, and individuals to rescue surplus items that would otherwise be discarded or exported. These contributions not only reduce textile waste but also help us stock our mobile closet and our Community Clothing and Hygiene Bank. Through this bank, we provide bulk distributions of clothing and hygiene essentials to local nonprofit partners serving individuals and families in need. We understand that a lack of access to clean clothing and hygiene isn’t just a matter of comfort—it’s a barrier to dignity, opportunity, and hope. At Project Ropa, we’re working to change that, one outfit at a time.

Our STORY

Founded in 2016 by Caitlin Adler, Project Ropa was born out of a realization that there was a significant gap in services for people experiencing homelessness. It became evident to Caitlin that access to clean clothes that fit well and appealed to the individual was severely limited for this vulnerable population. Determined to make a difference, she set out to provide a solution that would empower lives and restore a sense of dignity.

Recognizing the importance of personal hygiene alongside clean clothing, Project Ropa forged partnerships with mobile shower providers. This allowed individuals to not only receive a fresh set of clothes but also a hot shower, experiencing a complete refresh. And because both services were mobile, they could reach those in need in locations that were more convenient for them.

In its early days, Project Ropa was a one-person show, with Caitlin loading her personal vehicle with a clothing rack and a stockpile of new and gently used men’s and women’s clothing and shoes. She would then set up for service next to a mobile shower provider.

In 2019, Project Ropa customized a Ford transit van into a mobile walk-in clothing closet and switched from being a volunteer-run initiative to a growing nonprofit with a four-person staff. But the mission has remained the same: to restore dignity to people in need one article of clothing at a time.

Our Team

Caitlin Adler
Executive Director

Caitlin Adler is the Founder and Executive Director of Project Ropa. She has a diverse professional background spanning nonprofit leadership, user experience design and operations management at companies including Rock Solid Technologies and in the hospitality industry at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Caitlin brings a unique blend of creativity and strategic vision to her work. She holds an Associate’s degree from The Culinary Institute of America, and has completed nonprofit management and grantsmanship training to support her mission-driven leadership. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree.

Alex Camacho
Mobile Services Manager

Alex serves as Project Ropa’s Mobile Services Manager, where he oversees all direct service sites, leads community outreach and engagement efforts, and helps build partnerships to expand the organization’s impact. He brings over two decades of experience in community engagement, program development, and corporate partnership building to support underserved communities. Alex holds a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor’s in Urban and Regional Planning from East Carolina University.

Andrew Marquez
Operations Manager

Andrew is the Operations Manager at Project Ropa, where he manages programs, oversees administrative operations, and supports advocacy efforts. He brings over a decade of experience in customer service, training, and claims management through roles at State Compensation Insurance Fund, USAA, and in the hospitality industry. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from the University of California, Irvine.

Lauran Natarajan
Warehouse Manager

Lauran serves as the Warehouse Manager at Project Ropa, where she oversees warehouse logistics, inventory coordination, volunteers, and the distribution of essential items to community partners. She has a diverse professional background spanning nonprofit logistics, talent acquisition, and education. Previously, Lauran spent nearly a decade in education as a history teacher and department chair. She holds a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Stanford University and a Bachelor’s degree in History from Scripps College.

Our Impact

Explore our past three years of impact reports to see how Project Ropa has helped reduce textile waste and provide essential clothing and hygiene support to those in need.

Our Board

Caitlin Adler
Board Chairwoman

Caitlin is the Founder and Executive Director at Project Ropa. She has a diverse professional background spanning nonprofit leadership, user experience design and operations management at companies including Rock Solid Technologies and in the hospitality industry at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Caitlin brings a unique blend of creativity and strategic vision to her work. She holds an Associate’s degree from The Culinary Institute of America and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree.

Lawrence Lee
Treasurer and Board Member

Lawrence is the Founder of Peak Accounting & Advisory, where he supports executive leadership teams with financial reporting and consulting. He has over a decade of experience in for-profit and non-profit accounting, financial reporting, audits, systems implementations, and managing teams. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Kat Kiyoko Amano
Secretary and Board Member

Kat is the Executive Vice President at Grapevine Health and Founder of Clarity Forward Consulting, where she supports justice-driven organizations with infrastructure and strategic growth. She has nearly 20 years of experience in project management, systems, and operations, helping nonprofits and social enterprises secure and manage over $60 million in grants and contracts. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and French Studies from New York University and a Bachelor’s of Arts in French Language and Literature from the University of San Francisco.

Mathieu Rasamoela
Board Member

Mathieu is a Principal at Roland Berger, a global strategy consulting firm, where he advises C-suite leaders and investors on M&A, digital transformation, and business growth across industries. With over a decade of international consulting experience, he has led strategic initiatives for Fortune 500 companies and private equity clients in Europe and North America. In addition to his corporate work, Mathieu actively supports startups in sectors including retail tech, renewable energy, and healthcare. He holds a Master in Management from both ESSEC Business School and the University of Mannheim.

Blair Sun Chee Fore
Board Member

Blair is the Senior Lead for Charging Sales and Operations Planning at Rivian and a longtime volunteer at Project Ropa. She has extensive experience in operations and program management, with a strong background in optimizing business processes and cultivating strategic partnerships. Blair’s expertise in stakeholder engagement and operational efficiency supports effective communication and alignment across teams and initiatives. She holds a Master of Science in Science and Technology Studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Sarah Rauh
Board Member

Sarah is currently a medical student at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and a longtime volunteer at Project Ropa. She has a unique background, with over a decade of experience in project management, product development, and communications across the healthcare, apparel, and non-profit sectors, as well as in both the private and public sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Tufts University and an Associate in Applied Science in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design, The New School.

Elijah Abbey
Board Member

Elijah is a dedicated educator with The Education Team and a longtime volunteer at Project Ropa. He brings a deep passion for community service and strives to inspire others to get involved and make a positive impact. Elijah holds a degree in Screenwriting from the New York Film Academy.

OUR Financials

View Project Ropa’s past three years of tax returns below to learn more about our financial transparency and commitment to accountability.

About Us

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About Us

What We Do

Our STORY

Our Team

Our Impact

Our Board

OUR Financials

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About Us

Our Programs

Ways To Give

Volunteer

Our Mailing Address

Our Warehouse Address