Kotera lived her life with a joy that filled every room and a courage that taught us what resilience looks like. As a young woman with Down syndrome, she met every day with love, laughter, and a deep care for others. Her passing left an ache, yet it also planted a seed. We created Kotera's Closet so her spirit of compassion, inclusion, and celebration of every person could keep moving through Grandview and the Kansas City metro.
Out of family grief grew a calling to serve. We began gathering clothing on Main Street, answering late night messages, and quietly dropping off school supplies where they were needed most. Those simple acts formed Kotera's Closet, a family- and Black-owned nonprofit rooted in Grandview and reaching across the Kansas City metropolitan area. Today, our work blends essentials, scholarships, and disability advocacy, always with one goal, to restore dignity and offer real opportunity to every neighbor we meet.
Year-round, we share clothing, school supplies, and scholarships so children, parents, and caregivers can step into each day with confidence.
Kotera's story fuels our advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities, promoting real inclusion and opportunity.
Online booking, virtual consultations, curbside and contactless options, and flexible donations create easy paths for giving help or receiving support.