It’s shopping with a purpose. For about 40 years, the items on the racks at My Sister’s Place in Ansonia have helped domestic violence victims.
“When you come here, you are making a difference in someone’s life,” store manager Nancy Cahoon said.
The thrift store is a sister program of The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services. Through the partnership, victims of domestic violence can receive vouchers to shop in the store.
“When a family leaves their house, it could be just a bag, it could be really nothing,” The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services Development Coordinate Melissa Simoni said.
The thrift store also donates a portion of its proceeds to The Umbrella Center to help fund its free resources that are served in 19 towns and cities in Connecticut.
“We offer emergency safe houses, court base advocacy, counseling,” Simoni said.
Last fiscal year, the thrift store donated about $200,000 to the center.
“Which is incredible since we rely heavily on donations as well as federal …