A Sooke non-profit's thrifty solution to funding struggles is in need of support.
Since 1994 the Sooke Transition House Society (STHS) has served women and children affected by gender-based violence, providing emergency and transition housing, free counselling and, thanks to a partnership with RainCoast Dog Rescue, they are the only transition house in the CRD to accept pets.
But in recent years STHS has struggled, and the sustainability of many of their services is at risk.
“We constantly fall short on funding considering the growth in the area,” said Teegan Philpott, a volunteer with STHS.
“Post COVID, as most people know, there was a dramatic increase in all the different forms of abuse, and that’s continued post-pandemic, so we are turning people away all the time.”
The STHS Thrift was created in October 2022 as a creative solution to bring some extra funding to STHS amid increasing demand and stagnant funding. They carry only women's and children’s clothing, shoes and accessories, but anyone is welcome.
“We are about $40,000 short on funding and forced to raise funds to keep our doors open. We are trying this social enterprise with our fingers crossed,” said Laurie Parsons, executive director of STHS.
“Our house is always full and our programs very busy. We depend on our community, and it depends on us.”
STHS depends on the community to engage with the thrift shop, which is critical to their funding. On top of increasing demand, an unexpected rent increase from their landlord has made it even more difficult to keep the space open.
If STHS were to lose the space, it would have a significant impact on their additional programming. They would likely have to divert current funding away from some of their services and other niceties towards operational costs.
But the thrift shop is not just an additional stream of revenue.
“The community needs the thrift,” said Philpot.
“It would be a loss of a resource for local communities that maybe aren’t in programs or services but are struggling financially to put clothes on their kids or themselves.”
The thrift also gives STHS an additional resource for those who participate in their programs, often those who have had to leave their homes with little to nothing.
“Women and children who are accessing our services can [come here] to get free things. Quite often, people fleeing violence leave with nothing but their pajamas,” said Philpott.
“They can come here and reestablish a sense of independence and it’s in clothes that are separate from what they’re leaving, and that can be really helpful.”
It’s a sentiment that the other staff in the shop get to see firsthand.
“I see facets of the community I never had before,” said Zoey G, a STHS Thrift employee.
“I get fulfillment from seeing people picking clothes. It’s empowering, and I am very grateful for that.”
Limited parking and hours might hurt the store’s foot traffic, but when people make it in, they’re happy with what they find.
“Everyone who comes in when we’re open, they love it. They love what we carry. They love what we’re doing and what we stand for, and they’re supportive.”
The STHS thrift shop can be found at 6734 West Coast Rd. and is open from 10-3 Fridays and Saturdays with hopes to add Sunday hours in the near future.
