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Business: 604-687-1868
TTY: 604-687-6732
BWSS Retail Program
Fashionism, noun [fash- uh niz- uh m]; the use of feminist activism and fashion to affect change in women's lives
One of the many ways we meet the needs of women in our community is through social enterprise. Currently this includes our Retail Program, and our two thrift boutiques, My Sister's Closet and MSC 1092 (opening July 2007). In addition to allowing us to provide free clothing and household goods to women rebuilding their lives free from violence, social enterprise is our answer to ensuring our long term financial sustainability as an organization. Profits generated through the retail program are used to fund services and programs for women dealing with violence or abuse.
Find out what's available in our Store this week!
North Window
South Window
My Sister's Closet
Is a hip Commercial Drive Thrift Boutique which offers the community affordable, fashion forward clothing and accessories as well as a great selection of home décor items. Opened in 2001, this boutique set the tone for the neighborhood, and has become a destination for fashion savvy women and men from across the Lower Mainland.
Location: 1029 Commercial Drive
Phone: 604-254-7471
Email: mysisterscloset@bwss.org
Hours of Operation:
• Sun 11am-7pm
• Mon + Tues 10am-7pm
• Wed through Sat 10am-9pm
• Closed all Holidays
MSC 1092 (coming July 2007)
Is the next step for BWSS, and is being created in response to the huge demand for socially conscious shopping choices for the modern consumer. Located at Helmcken and Seymour, this second BWSS Retail Location will offer the downtown community a chic, urban shopping experience for the discerning fashionista.
In addition to providing revenue for BWSS and practical support for women dealing with violence, both retail locations also serve as community outreach. Not only providing the larger community with an opportunity to join us in being part of the solution to end violence against women, it also serves as a first point of contact for women in the community who are dealing with violence in their own relationships. By making our services move visible we are able to help more women.
Through the BWSS Retail Program we are committed to:
• Supporting low-income women and their families in our community through the sale of high quality, fashionable clothing at affordable prices.
• Supplying battered women and their children in transition with basic house hold items and clothing through our Hamper and Voucher program.
• Working towards an end to violence against women and children as well as violence in the community at large through violence awareness prevention activities.
• Creating a safe and inspiring atmosphere in order to provide women and their families with a place to shop and gather.
• Promoting empowerment through volunteerism for women in our communities
• Providing a space for men to get involved to help end violence against women, through their donations and purchases.
Voucher Programs:
Too often women who are escaping violence leave with only the clothes on their backs. Receiving a clothing voucher not only fills the physical need for clothing, but also provides them with the freedom to choose their own clothing. One of the women told us, "I am really happy I got this voucher, because my husband used to pick out all my clothing, and now I get to choose what I want to wear."
Every month we distribute vouchers for clothing and household goods to 11 different women's agencies across the Lower Mainland. Since we opened in 2001 we have sent out over $400,000.00 worth of vouchers and served thousands of women.
If you are a woman dealing with relationship violence and are in need of clothing and/or household goods please call our Intake and Crisis line at 604-687-1867 , and we will be happy to assist you.
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