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. 

B次元官网网址淲e constantly fall short on funding considering the growth in the area,B次元官网网址� said Teegan Philpott, a volunteer with STHS.  

B次元官网网址淧ost COVID, as most people know, there was a dramatic increase in all the different forms of abuse, and thatB次元官网网址檚 continued post-pandemic, so we are turning people away all the time.B次元官网网址� 

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 childrenB次元官网网址檚 clothing, shoes and accessories, but anyone is welcome.

B次元官网网址淲e 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,B次元官网网址� said Laurie Parsons, executive director of STHS.  

B次元官网网址淥ur house is always full and our programs very busy. We depend on our community, and it depends on us.B次元官网网址�  

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.  

B次元官网网址淭he community needs the thrift,B次元官网网址� said Philpot.  

B次元官网网址淚t would be a loss of a resource for local communities that maybe arenB次元官网网址檛 in programs or services but are struggling financially to put clothes on their kids or themselves.B次元官网网址�  

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. 

B次元官网网址淲omen 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,B次元官网网址� said Philpott.  

B次元官网网址淭hey can come here and reestablish a sense of independence and itB次元官网网址檚 in clothes that are separate from what theyB次元官网网址檙e leaving, and that can be really helpful.B次元官网网址�  

ItB次元官网网址檚 a sentiment that the other staff in the shop get to see firsthand.  

B次元官网网址淚 see facets of the community I never had before,B次元官网网址� said Zoey G, a STHS Thrift employee.  

B次元官网网址淚 get fulfillment from seeing people picking clothes. ItB次元官网网址檚 empowering, and I am very grateful for that.B次元官网网址�  

Limited parking and hours might hurt the storeB次元官网网址檚 foot traffic, but when people make it in, theyB次元官网网址檙e happy with what they find.  

B次元官网网址淓veryone who comes in when weB次元官网网址檙e open, they love it. They love what we carry. They love what weB次元官网网址檙e doing and what we stand for, and theyB次元官网网址檙e supportive.B次元官网网址�  

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.