Streetwear label Geedup Clothing has partnered with non-profit organisation Confit Pathways and pledged $250,000 from sales of its upcoming “Blacked Out” collection to help formerly incarcerated youth reintegrate into society.
Confit Pathways is an organisation that focuses on reducing the re-incarceration rate for youth through education, fitness, and employment opportunities.
It provides mentors who have experienced prison to communicate with the youth on a personal level, providing bespoke programs and a “true sense of community”.
The funds will help the organisation build a gym in Parramatta, West Sydney.
Geedup founder Jake Paco shared that he spent his youth in a lifestyle where violence, incarceration, and death were normalised.
“I found myself amongst young men that dealt with their emotions the same way, finding acceptance and a sense of belonging in a space that quickly led me to a life where I was risking a lot more than just my freedom,” shared Paco.
After losing some of his closest mates to jail – and some to death – he shifted away from life on the streets and established the Geedup brand.
“To do better, I had to be better; in every facet,” he explains.
Driven by his belief that everybody deserves a chance, Paco now seeks to help youths on a similar path to what he’s experienced.
“The idea behind Geedup was always to build a sense of belonging through our version of fashion and culture; that same sense of belonging that I, as a young man, searched for in all the wrong places,” he continued.
“I feel that Confit Pathways is exactly that, a space to learn and search for your purpose. So bringing the two together makes perfect sense.”
The brand’s Autumn collection, “Blacked Out”, consists of all-black versions of its most popular garments.
Toning down the colours of the brand’s logos and designs symbolises the partnership’s message: “Don’t let them put your mind in a box”.
“Coming from this walk of life, seeing where it leads you, and more importantly, seeing where change can take you,” Paco concluded.
“We hope that by resonating with and standing up for young men alike, we can change the course of as many young lives as possible.”
The “Blacked Out” collection launches on Friday, March 24.
