Why does Vision of Hope operate a thrift store? With everything else going on around VOH, why do we make time for a small business? What is upcycling and why do we care about it?
Reclaimed Hope, LLC, is an upcycled thrift store currently located at 107 W 3rd St in Brookston, Indiana. Currently, Reclaimed Hope sells handmade jewelry, art and other items made by VOH residents, as well as décor and books that have been donated to us. For the upcycling process, we have taken things that others have discarded and we made something new with them, fashioning something that is useful and beautiful. We have used unwanted old buttons, magazine pages, plastic shopping bags and other discarded things to fashion the handmade crafts. We love how upcycled crafts remind us of the story of redemption. God took us, in our broken state, and remade us into new creatures, giving us new purpose in life. The beauty of our crafts pale in comparison to the glory of God’s great work of salvation and redemption on our lives!
Vision of Hope does not charge program or counseling fees and only asks residents to contribute to their room and board costs. In order to fund the rest of the financial needs for VOH, we have traditionally relied on the generous donations of many people. While we continue to be blessed by generous supporters, we have also investigated other ways to financially support VOH. Reclaimed Hope is one creative way for us to help finance VOH.
Besides contributing to our operating costs, Reclaimed Hope provides our residents great learning opportunities. Residents can learn craft techniques and life skills like problems solving and perseverance as they tackle new and sometimes difficult craft projects. As our residents demonstrate faithfulness in the VOH program, they receive the privilege of volunteering at Reclaimed Hope, where they can grow in communication, customer service, organization and teamwork. In a previous blog, I discussed some of the spiritual lessons afforded from making crafts. We love the many ways that our residents can grow as they participate in operating Reclaimed Hope.
Finally, we are excited that Reclaimed Hope naturally creates unique opportunities for us to rub shoulders with the community. As customers visit us, we can share information with them about Vision of Hope, spreading the word to our community that there is a faith-based center in Lafayette for hurting women. There are so many people right around us who know little or nothing about our ministry, though they or a loved one could greatly benefit from our program. When they come to browse at Reclaimed Hope, we have the chance to share about our ministry with them so that more women can find help and hope.
If you have not visited Reclaimed Hope recently, we invite you to come visit! There is some construction on our street, but we are still open. Coming from Lafayette on SR 43, turn before the Ford dealership and enter down the alley during construction. Or, go to Railroad Street instead and walk around to 3rd St/St Rd 18. Also, check out more photos of our inventory at our Facebook page!
