By Rose Law Group intern Madalyn Paltzik
Jordyn Holderman serves the Rose Law Group team as an administrative assistant. She achieved her associate’s degree in Fashion Merchandising at Mesa Community College, as fashion has always been a huge interest of hers. In her free time, she likes to go thrift shopping, go to concerts, and spend time with her friends and family. Above all, Jordyn thrives by helping others whenever she can.
Starting in elementary school, Jordyn joined an international program dedicated to ending the isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Best Buddies. Kids with special needs were placed in their own, separate classes with their teachers and schedules, separate from the rest of the kids. Each day, the ‘Buddies’ would help with everything from math and writing to playing on the playground at recess, to make them feel like they weren’t alone or different, offering a friend to rely on.
“Just making sure everyone feels comfortable and that no one feels alone is really what I love. [Best Buddies] just really stuck with me because helping those who aren’t fully capable brings me so much joy,” Jordyn reflects, “If you can do anything to help people, like, even if a small little thing, you never know if it’s going to make their day, or how much it’ll affect them. I love being there to do that for people.”
As Jordyn’s time with Best Buddies came to an end, her volunteering efforts expanded. From local charities to national organizations, Jordyn helped wherever she could. Her family created their own traditions to give back, including baking cookies on Christmas Eve to deliver to open businesses such as gas stations and essential shops. As she grew older, Jordyn began attending protests and donating to a multitude of causes, including donating to thrift stores–thus sparking her passion for thrifting.
High school was when Jordyn first discovered her love for fashion, starting to explore different ways to express herself through what she wore. So, it was inevitable that Jordyn felt a pull towards the fascinating world of fashion. At first, she aspired to be a designer, but then one design class proved her better suited for the marketing side. She began her career in retail soon after, working as a manager and learning to help a store run and keep products coming.
“I think seeing that is what got me interested. That’s when I thought I might want to continue this in my life,” says Jordyn.
Naturally, Jordyn’s desire to help people leaked into her newfound love of fashion–through thrifting. In no time, her entire wardrobe was from a thrift shop. Thrifting allowed her to
find creative, unique pieces in a way that simultaneously benefits her community. Its environmental benefits, including recycled/reused clothing, and support for the fight against fast fashion, helped her feel good about what she was wearing in more ways than one.
“My Best Buddies experience was really what started it all. Since then, I’ve always wondered, ‘How can I help this person? What can I do to make this person’s day a lot more awesome?’ And that’s what I do. Just being able to do what I can as a person in this crazy world, helping people, is all that makes me happy,” Jordyn concludes. To get involved with Best Buddies, visit https://www.bestbuddies.org/take-action/.
