House of Harrison received bins full of cloths and personal care items that will go towards supporting individuals in recovery at its Tuesday, June 3 supplies drive.

Donors drove to the front of Newtown Parent Connection's building in Fairfield Hills, where several volunteers were to collect requested items and sort them them into plastic bins.

Volunteers filled a total of eight bins with various new items, including men's and women's underwear, socks, sweatpants, undershirts, and more.

The event is only one endeavor in House of Harrison's mission as a "new beginnings boutique," which is to provide clothes, accessories, and resumé guidance to people transitioning from treatment, sober living, and halfway houses.

While the supplies drive focused on select items, House of Harrison generally collects jewelry, shoes, socks, underwear, athleisure, jeans, sweatpants, sweatshirts, belts, pocketbooks, among other items.

Newtown resident Lynne Farah, who founded House of Harrison with former Newtown Parent Connection Executive Director Dorrie Carolan, said that she tries to help everybody she can.

"It's unbelievable, just how much support we've gotten," Farah said. "I feel very lucky."

The program is named in honor of Farah's late son Harrison, who died in August of 2023. Farah said she volunteered for various causes around town before coming across Newtown Parent Connection in late 2023.

Among the places she volunteered at was FAITH Food Pantry, where a friend and fellow volunteer was trying to get rid of some of her husband's old suits. Farah, looking for a place to donate all of the suits, stopped at Newtown Parent Connection and spoke to Carolan.

"And she goes, 'Well geez, we always talked about opening a boutique for people transitioning from treatment to the working world, let's do something,'" Farah said.

Together, they made Carolan's long-term dream of opening that boutique a reality in early 2024.

Farah said House of Harrison started as a place that primarily collected dress clothes for people transitioning from treatment and looking to get jobs. However, she later realized that people weren't looking for suits as much as they were casual jeans, sweatshirts, and sneakers.

"It's turned into something different, but it's a learning curve," Farah said. "I've never done anything like this before, and I certainly didn't expect it to get as big as fast as it did."

While the first six months were slow, Farah said the amount of traffic House of Harrison gets now is "unbelievable."

By providing those in need with essential items, House of Harrison aims to honor Harrison's legacy and empower people in their path to recovery and success.

"I can't believe all the people we have helped," Farah said. "Everybody is so generous and giving ... it's amazing."

All year round, people donate items to House of Harrison via its Amazon Wishlist, which supplies the boutique with requested essential clothing and accessories.

Farah said she plays pickleball, and that her friend sends House of Harrison's Amazon Wishlist link to their fellow pickleball players so they can buy items and help the boutique support those in need.

When Farah held a "Giving Tuesday" in December of last year and asked for people to provide clothes and donations if they were able, she received hundreds of items. On all sides, Farah said she felt the love from people in the community.

"It takes a village. I've lived here my whole life, and I literally have a village," Farah said. "There are good, supportive people out there."

This recent supplies drive marks the first one House of Harrison has ever done. However, Farah said that she hopes to hold more in the future.

Visits to House of Harrison are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, contact House of Harrison Founder Lynne Farah at 203-994-7352.

To learn more about House of Harrison, visit ctparentconnection.org/hoh, call 203-994-7352, or email lynne@newtownparentconnection.org. People are welcome to make a monetary donation to House of Harrison, or donate items via its Amazon Wishlist, amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1GZAYAAKPEZ5M.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.