Shop Jenny’s Closet for Kids Help Phone

At the young age of 15, Jenny Chen found solace in Kids Help Phone, a beacon of support in her darkest hours. Chen, now senior adviser, diversity, equity and inclusion at BMO Wealth Management, was kicked out of her family home as a young teenager. She was wandering the streets of Ottawa and happened to walk by a bus shelter with an advertisement for Kids Help Phone. “The universe was like, whatever you’re doing, whatever it is that you’re thinking, just try this first,” she recounted of that horrible night in her life. Though that call from a pay phone may not have solved all the issues in her life at that moment, it gave her a safe person to speak to — someone who would listen — in her time of need. The young teen was dealing with physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her parents and needed a safe space to talk.

Through her own experiences, Chen understands the silent battles young minds are faced with. The scars of her past are now a source of strength, pushing her to do her part so that no child faces the void alone. Kids Help Phone’s free, confidential and multilingual health-care services are always open, offering youth across the country a non-judgmental space to speak out loud and get support through phone, text and online resources.

“Even the darkest, darkest night becomes day again,” Chen said. “We have to hold on to that hope — really push through that moment — because it does get better. I’m a perfect example of that.”

As the annual BMO Walk So Kids Can Talk fundraising event approaches on May 5, Chen has embarked on her own personal spring-cleaning venture, purging her closet of items laden with memories, some with the original price tags. She is posting the unique and stunning items on Instagram @shopjchenscloset and hosting a shopping day at her home the day before the big walk. Chen has a goal of raising $10,000 to go to the cause that means so much to her.

Jenny Chen, senior adviser, diversity, equity and inclusion at BMO Wealth Management, has found the “Jenny Way” to raise money for Kids Help Phone, a cause that is near and dear to her heart.

Chen jokes she is trying to downsize her wardrobe from five closets to one, but at the end of the day, the goal is to raise $10,000 for Kids Help Phone.

Romina Khoury was at the sale ahead of the big day, eyeing a stunning Gucci bag, one of the countless high-end items Chen is parting ways with.

Maria Canonico was tempted by a Louis Vuitton bag during a preview of the shopping experience.

Jenny Chen with her daughters, 17-year-old Trinity and 10-year-old Savannah.