Milford Teen Recycling and Repurposing To Help Homeless, Refugees and Furry Friends In Need

Milford, CT - One Milford teen is using her crafting skills and love for the environment to help people and pets in need.

Alice Garlock, 17, of Milford, started Alice's Reloved Workshop, and began her journey to help others in her community.

"A couple months ago, I began using repurposed material that would otherwise be thrown away, such as clothes with holes in them, to make toys and beds for animals in shelters, rugs and blankets for refugees who are relocated to Connecticut, and (for the) homeless who are given housing and jobs through a program in Hartford," Garlock told Patch.com.

"What I'm doing relies on people supporting my work by giving me worn out clothes, bed sheets, etc..," she said.

Garlock donates her handmade blankets, rugs and toys to animal shelters, refugee and homeless centers, and the Audubon Society.

The young entrepreneur said she was inspired to start giving back in her local community.

"I made a couple bags full of animal toys and beds for the Milford Animal Shelter, and I realized that I could do a lot more than just that," Garlock said. "My parents volunteer and help out in the community, so it's not an uncommon thing for my family to help me to do."

The teenager told Patch that she wanted to "show people that one person can make a big difference for good. You don't need to spend a lot of money to do it, and even though there is a lot of darkness you can still give out your own light into the world."

The high school graduate and college student said she enjoys doing this work during her free time.

"This is also very rewarding for me to do because I graduated high school early, and even though I took my first college semester, I had free time," the teen said. "I get a lot of positive feedback from people as well, which helps a lot."

The aspiring author said she plans to continue her volunteer cause as long as possible.

"I want to impact the world, to make it a better place," she aid. "And I have the ability to."

For more information visit Alices' Reloved Workshop on Facebook here.