Anney Ardiel saw an opportunity.

She saw teenage girls aging out of foster care, women leaving abusive relationships, teen mothers and at-risk women left with next to nothing. Ardiel also saw seniors downsizing their homes and their belongings, which sparked an idea marrying those needing to give with those in need.

AnneyB次元官网网址檚 Closet was born.

B次元官网网址淲hen (girls) hit a certain age support is discontinued,B次元官网网址� Ardiel said. B次元官网网址淲e found a fit that made sense for everyone.B次元官网网址�

With the backing of Soroptimist International Victoria/West Shore, a group of women focused on enhancing the lives of women in need locally and internationally, Ardiel helped found the program.

As AnneyB次元官网网址檚 Closet celebrates a year of facilitating community donations of household items, and passing them on to women living through challenging times, she said itB次元官网网址檚 been an empowering experience for everyone involved.

B次元官网网址�(Seniors) are always losing. They have lost their hearing, theyB次元官网网址檝e lost their vision, theyB次元官网网址檝e lost their drivers license and now they are losing their home and a lot of their things. (AnneyB次元官网网址檚 Closet) provides them an opportunity to give something, rather than be a victim that is losing, to be someone who is giving to the community.

Recipients are referred through advocate partners who include the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the Boys and Girls Club and the Victoria WomenB次元官网网址檚 Transition House among others. Clients come to the U-Lock Mini Storage in Colwood, where the program stores donations to their B次元官网网址渇ree storeB次元官网网址� in four donated lockers. The goods are shipped to U-Lock free by FosterB次元官网网址檚 Moving & Storage.

Everything from cutlery, furniture and lanterns to books and kitchenware is laid out in the lockers. Recipients take whatever, and however many household items they need. Soroptimist president Jennilee Brack said this first year has been memorable.

B次元官网网址淚t is a feel-good project that gives back on many levels,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e are able to help multiple demographics and the reach is quite large. We are dedicated to helping women and giving back to local girls and women in the community.B次元官网网址�

The one-year anniversary, being celebrated with a barbecue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (July 19) at U-Lock Mini Storage, 1621 Island Hwy., will highlight what Ardiel called a story of community.

B次元官网网址淭he girls who come to the Closet are also giving up a lot to leave the home that they have been in. They have nothing,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭o be able to give them the opportunity to flourish and have abundance is incredible.B次元官网网址�

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alim@vicnews.com