My Journalism Portfolio
MY SISTER'S CLOSET SELLS AFFORDABLE SECOND-HAND CLOTHING FOR A MEANINGFUL CAUSE
Proceeds from this Battered Women’s Support Services’ second-hand store provide support to survivors of abuse
By Claudia Culley
For more than two decades, My Sister’s Closet in Vancouver has been providing affordable second-hand clothing while raising money for victims of domestic assault.
This eco-thrift boutique aims to offer various sizes and prices of clothing and is a social enterprise of Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS), a feminist organization that provides support and advocacy for women who have experienced abuse.
My Sister’s Closet’s largest store is on Main Street in Vancouver, B.C. (Claudia Culley/ March 5, 2023)
Samantha Kearney, manager of development at My Sister’s Closet, has been overseeing the eco-thrift boutique since 2012, and said the number of customers coming into the store over the past couple of years has increased.
“Thrifting has just become more popular. … I think there is necessity because things are crazy expensive, but also, I think it's getting … looked at as [more of a] good thing,” Kearney said.
My Sister’s Closet sells affordable second-hand clothing that’s accessible to all people.
(Claudia Culley/ March 5, 2023)
According to the B.C. government’s consumer price index report, inflation climbed 6.2 per cent from January 2022 to January 2023. Food, transportation and shelter are some of the items with the highest price increases.
Also on the rise are reported cases of domestic violence in Canada. Since the pandemic hit in 2020, police reports show an increase in violence and abuse against women and children as people quarantined at home. This trend continues to increase as the financial challenges with inflation and lack of affordable housing are forcing victims to stay with their abuser. Those able to escape are becoming increasingly dependent on support services like BWSS, which has responded to over 100,000 requests since March 2020.
“When I was younger, I experienced violence. So as a survivor, I know how empowering it can be to lead your own life and to see girls and women who were so oppressed and disempowered from the abuse get to a place of like, ‘I'm good,’” Kearney said.
“So, when someone decides [to buy] our clothing, it’s like, ‘Thank you so much,’ because you're choosing to support the mission.”
My Sister’s Closet’s also sells shoes and purses in addition to clothing. (Claudia Culley/ March 5, 2023)
My Sister’s Closet has processed over one million wooden pallets of donated clothing since it opened in 2001. All its proceeds go towards BWSS to fund their violence prevention and intervention services and programs. There are currently two My Sister’s Closet locations, one on Main Street and one on Commercial Drive, both in Vancouver.
Pardis Khoramehr, volunteer at My Sister’s Closet, sorts through bags of donated clothes in their back of house to be processed and brought onto the sales floor. (Claudia Culley/ March 5, 2023)
Donations of various men’s and women’s clothing get dropped off daily at the front of each store. Items My Sister’s Closet can’t process get donated to other support and charity organizations like Diabetes Canada or the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.
My Sister’s Closet uses a variety of supplies such as lint rollers and boffin brushes to ensure donated items are in great condition before placing on the sales floor. (Claudia Culley/ March 5, 2023)
“We look at condition [and] brand. Usually if it's a fast fashion brand, we’ll put it on our $5 rack. Then we have our regular merchandise and price guide corresponding to various brands,” Kearney said.
My Sister’s Closet has a $5 rack outside the shop, filled with donated fast fashion clothing.
(Claudia Culley/ March 5, 2023)
Mikayla Wong, volunteer at My Sister’s Closet, prices and hangs bags of donated clothes ready to be sold. (Claudia Culley/ March 5, 2023)
They also have an online shop where the inventory on the upper floor of My Sister’s Closet’s Main Street location is listed. This online shop allows customers with accessibility restrictions to access all of the items in the store.
My Sister’s Closet also partners with local female artisans to sell their artwork and crafts in which the proceeds are split between the artist and BWSS. (Claudia Culley/ March 5, 2023)
My Sister’s Closet sells a variety of second-hand accessories to accompany customers’ winter to summer
time styles. (Claudia Culley/ March 5, 2023)
As a non-profit, the operations of My Sister’s Closet are completely dependent on volunteers.
Hannah Xavier is one of the volunteers at My Sister’s Closet on Main Street. She used to be a regular customer at the organization as she enjoys thrift shopping to find unique and vintage clothes. When she found out there were opportunities to volunteer, she applied.
“I had a bit of time to give, and it’s an organization that I think is important to support,” Xavier said. “I think with volunteering, it's always good to get involved when it’s something that you're interested in.”
My Sister’s Closet has over 70 volunteers between its two locations, allowing the store to be open every day of the week from 11 am to 6 pm. (Claudia Culley/ March 5, 2023)
“I think a lot of what the volunteers do is quite curated with the sorting of the clothing. So, it's fun but also an ethical way to shop,” Xavier said.
Mikayla Wong (right) and Hannah Xavier (left) sort through donated jewelry that’s free for all customers. (Claudia Culley/ March 5, 2023)
To Kearney, My Sister’s Closet means so much more than being able to provide affordable clothing to the local community.
“It’s a way for so many people to come together and do good and actually be part of making a difference in so many lives of women and girls,” Kearney said.