Vintage fashion lovers in Vancouver now have a new way to support their community through a social enterprise called My Sister's Closet. The little consignment store in Yaletown was set up in an effort to support Battered Women's Support Services (BWSS).
"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," says the website for My Sister's Closet. "Profits are used to fund services and programs for women dealing with violence or abuse."
The sale of clothing and accessories for women, men and children allow the social enterprise to support more than 8,000 women each year through BWSS, which aims to prevent violence and support women facing dangerous situations. Donations to the store and proceeds from shopping at My Sister's Closet gives women and their children access to employment services, counselling, a crisis line, legal support, education, training, workshops and more.
Contact Information
My Sister's Closet website
My Sister's Closet on Twitter
My Sister's Closet on Facebook
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Social Enterprise Fashion
- The trend of social enterprises using fashion as a means to support community organizations and causes, such as My Sister's Closet in Vancouver.
- Support for Battered Women
- The trend of businesses and organizations offering support services and resources for women facing violence and abuse, like Battered Women's Support Services (BWSS).
- Sustainable Financial Models
- The trend of social enterprises utilizing innovative financial models, such as selling donated clothing and accessories, to fund services and programs for communities in need.
Where This Applies
- Fashion Retail
- The fashion retail industry can explore opportunities to establish social enterprises and partnerships that empower and support their local communities, similar to My Sister's Closet.
- Women's Support Services
- The industry of women's support services can incorporate social enterprise models, like BWSS and My Sister's Closet, to generate funds and provide comprehensive support to women facing violence and abuse.
- Nonprofit and Charitable Organizations
- Nonprofits and charitable organizations can embrace innovative financial models, like the social enterprise approach of My Sister's Closet, to ensure long-term financial sustainability and enhance the impact of their services and programs.
