Someone San Diego Should Know: Shamine Linton

Shamine Linton was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in the rural town of Manchester, Jamaica. From an early age, she was acquainted with the fundamental value of community.

One of her many roles in her community as a child was sharing with neighbors crops her family grew. “That kindness was ingrained from infancy,” she said.

However, she did not find that kindness when she moved to San Diego as a teen. She was teased in middle school for her accent. She recalled that she often heard statements such as “go back to your country” or she was asked ignorant questions about living in “huts” and “tents” in Jamaica.

These experiences, though, molded and formed her like a diamond to be a reservoir of strength, and to extend love, kindness, and compassion. “In my upbringing we cared for each other. No kid was left behind. We walked home together. Kids were not looked down on,” she said.

She persevered through middle school and graduated from Patrick Henry High. She became a dental assistant, then worked in collections for 10 years, later finding comfort in the career path of child development.

As she made her home in southeastern San Diego and raised her family with her husband, Shane, son Shamari (now 23 and serving in the Air Force) and daughter Sharia (now 15), she sought to help her community, just as she did in Jamaica.

“I wanted to spread empathy and kindness, be a beacon of hope.”

Her desire went back to her days as a little girl. She said it was a dream to one day have a house where all the children who felt unloved could go.

While working for the Head Start children’s program in San Diego, her dream, albeit in a different form, began to take shape. A family in the program lost everything they had in a fire. Linton organized efforts to get them furniture, beds, clothes and Christmas presents.

That charity led to Sharia’s Closet, a nonprofit that provides free emergency clothing to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship or crisis. In 2013, Linton started collecting clothes on the patio of her home, and Sharia’s Closet — named after her daughter — was born.

It now has three locations: its central operating office and donation center on El Cajon Boulevard near SDSU; onsite community partner with the District Attorney’s Office’s North County Family Justice, One Safe Place in San Marcos; and Your Safe Place Family Justice Center in downtown San Diego. It is, however, looking for a forever home in San Diego.

At Sharia’s Closet, the team assembles a wardrobe for each client. A wardrobe comprises seven to 10 outfits fitted for body type and personal style. They provide a variety of clothing pieces ranging from professional, casual and active.

In addition to these outfits, a wardrobe bag includes age-appropriate personal hygiene items. Inside every bag is a handwritten, loving note to each client, an affirmation of caring and value they may never have received before.

“When you receive someone at their worst, and you treat them like they are the best, they will never forget that,” Linton said.

Whether the client is a single mother or a formerly homeless veteran preparing to attend a job interview, Sharia’s Closet prides itself in providing the armor the clients need to prepare for the battles of life. The client’s success and improved well-being are what keep the team motivated, Linton said. Sharia’s Closet provides for all populations in need, including victims of natural disasters, human trafficking, domestic violence, refugees, and individuals who are unemployed, injured, disabled or homeless.

“Our work is truly a labor of love,” Linton said. “The work being done is priceless.”

In 2013, Sharia’s Closet helped 19 people; in 2022, it supported 9,424, Linton said.

She recalled one man who had gotten out of the military and had the goal of being a police officer. But he fell on hard times. He visited Sharia’s Closet, was provided a suit for an interview, and earned a job working with a police department.

“Together we can make this world a better place,” Linton said. “One action at a time, one day at a time, and one bag at a time. “

About this series

Jordan Harrison is vice president of Community Impact and Partnerships for Reality Changers.

Someone San Diego Should Know is a column written by members of the U-T’s Community Advisory Board about local people who are interesting and noteworthy because of their experiences, achievements, creativity or credentials.