“Empowering Women’s Enterprises and Networks” is a unique national clustering project that brings together women from many different backgrounds (Indigenous, Refugee, Immigrant and mainstream). As part of the British Columbia cluster Battered Women’s Support Services, Common Thread Cooperative in partnership with Women’s Economic Council, we seek to empower women to build their enterprises, professional networks, capacities and opportunities for long term sustainability and economic security. We join three other Clusters in St.John’s, NL, Thunder Bay, ON and Winnipeg, MB.

For more information about Women’s Economic Council and BC Cluster, please see:

• Our blog on Empowering Women’s Enterprises and Networks with Women’s Economic Council and Common Thread Cooperative
• New National Partnership between Women’s Economic Council and Four Host Cluster Sites

Artizia, a local retailer, supports BWSS ending violence work by donating merchandise to our boutique.

Young Women in Business SFU
Young Women in Business (YWIB) SFU encourages women in business to achieve success on their own terms by providing innovative programs and diverse network. We greatly appreciate YWIB SFU’s support of My Sister’s Closet. We are happy to have spoken at their workshop on social enterprise and participate in their International Women’s Day Conference.

UBC Phrateres ‘Express Yourself Fashion Shows’
Phrateres, a sisterhood at UBC, collaborated with My Sister’s Closet to organize a series of fashion shows for reflecting real women and fashion. A diverse group of women with different personalities, looks, and backgrounds from Phrateres rocked their style at the fashion shows at UBC Student Union Building and Brock Hall. Our collaboration was in support of eco-fashion, violence prevention, community building, respect, and freedom for women.

The 11^th Annual Homelessness Marathon featured 14 hours of people-powered radio, broadcasting this year from multiple cities across Canada. The Marathon provided an opportunity for the homeless and their allies to take up the airwaves, fostering a nationwide discussion on homelessness issues and possible solutions.

BWSS and My Sister’s Closet joined the 11th Annual Homelessness Marathon, a national radio broadcast on homelessness to raise awareness on women, violence, homelessness and housing, and also provided free clothing for women and men.

To read more about Women, Violence, Homelessness and Housing, please click here.

South Delta Secondary School Youth Philanthropy Initiative
Emily M, Emily L, & Dylan from South Delta Secondary School won their school’s Youth Philanthropy Initiative – presenting their charity of choice, Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS). Their passion and commitment to the social issue of ending violence against girls & women lead them to win $5000.00 for BWSS!

Thank you young women for your amazing work, support, and action. They are a message of great hope and inspiration for a future where every girl and women is free from abuse and violence.

Vancouver Sun United Way Day of Caring
Last year, My Sister’s Closet joined the Vancouver Sun United Way Day of Caring and came together with RBC Royal Bank employees to share the space and our efforts in ending violence at our community thrift boutique.

A team from RBC Royal Bank volunteered at BWSS My Sister’s Closet all in support of ending violence against women. The team worked hard to make our little thrift boutique more beautiful!