Thriving at the thrift store
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/10/2018 (2771 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
For Danielle Giesbrecht, volunteering has been a way to deal with her bereavement.
After her son Jordan died at the age of 24, Giesbrecht sought counselling at Thrive Community Support Circle. Her counsellor suggested she get involved as a volunteer at the organization’s thrift shop, so she did.
“I was in a deep, dark place,” Giesbrecht says, adding that she wanted to die.
The support, love and fun she experienced at the thrift store changed that.
“It was the most amazing, embracing place I could be,” she says. “It was the best thing that could have happened to me.”
Thrive established the thrift shop, which is at 555 Spence St., as a community project and social service.
The shop empowers people by providing volunteer opportunities to learn skills and gain work experience.
The shop works with newcomers and individuals overcoming mental health crises, as well as volunteers from a variety of programs, including disability programs, work experience programs and people doing court-mandated community service.
Thanks to a grant Thrive received earlier this year, Giesbrecht’s volunteer role has turned into a six-month paid position.
She does a bit of everything, from receiving and sorting donations, to training volunteers and helping customers.
Each day at the shop is a unique, enjoyable experience, Giesbrecht says.
“It’s like, who can we help? How many lives can we change today? Who can I hug today? Who can I give a jacket to? It’s all about serving and giving back,” she says. “Every day is a wonderful day. Sometimes I don’t want to (go) home.”
Giesbrecht enjoys helping customers because she can relate to many of the struggles they’re facing, says Kristy Muckosky, the shop’s manager.
“(She’s) one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever worked with,” Muckosky says. “And she’s a lot of fun. She’s constantly making people laugh.”
Thrive relies on 45 to 65 volunteers each month. Muckosky is looking for more volunteers to help with sorting, organizing, pricing, working the cash register and doing handiwork.
“No matter what people can offer, we’ll be able to put that to use,” she says. “It’s a fun place to be.”
Giesbrecht agrees. She has led a difficult life. In addition to the death of her son, she survived an unstable childhood and lives with hearing impairment and other health issues.
She maintains a positive outlook though, and thanks to Thrive, she has purposeful work.
“It saved my life,” she says of the shop. “I’m probably the happiest person you’ll ever meet. I’m happy because of what I do. The more I give back, the happier I am.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can find details at volunteermanitoba.ca, or apply by emailing thrivethriftshop@thrivewpg.com, phoning 204-783-9281, or by visiting the shop in person.
If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
Every piece of reporting Aaron produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Volunteers needed
THE following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, please contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can assist you in finding an opportunity. To learn more about its programs and services, go to volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Caregiving with Confidence is seeking a telephone-support volunteer to engage weekly with family caregivers of older adults. This service provides a friendly contact for the caregiver on a regularly scheduled basis. Empathetic people who are good listeners are needed. This is a very flexible opportunity. The minimum time required is one hour per week, with a commitment of at least one year from the comfort of your own home. For more information, call 204-452-9491.
The Simkin Centre needs people who are passionate about working with older adults to help with its recreation and special event programs. Contact Jackie Gonzales at 204-589-9008 or jackie.gonzales@simkincentre.ca.
Skate Winnipeg needs energetic and positive people of any age who love to skate and are willing to share that skill with young skaters. It offers CanSkate (learn to skate programs) and needs program assistants on Mondays, from 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m., to help skaters by offering support and encouragement, and to help coaches in leading activities and circuits. A skating background in hockey, ringette or figure skating is an asset. A weekly volunteer commitment from October to March is required. For more information, email canskatecoordinator@skatewinnipeg.ca.
The Canadian Red Cross is looking for people to join its team of dedicated volunteers who are prepared to help people affected by disasters such as forest fires and floods. For more information, go to redcross.ca/in-your-community/manitoba/manitoba-volunteer-opportunities, call 204-982-7330 or email vrs@redcross.ca.
FASD Life’s Journey is a government-funded agency providing disability services in rural and urban locations in Manitoba. It is seeking highly ethical, engaged volunteers to serve on its board of directors. Board members are responsible for maintaining the commitment to the agency’s mission, establishing strategic direction, oversight of operations, ensuring compliance with all applicable legal requirements and maintaining the organization’s financial well-being. Members are expected to participate in committee activities and attend meetings as required. Send your resume to g.wyllie@fasdlji.ca.
The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program is an opportunity to prepare returns for people with modest incomes, in a collegial and supportive environment. The program is looking for people to volunteer weekdays in March and April. Experience is an asset but not necessary, as are interviewing skills and basic knowledge of computers. Training is provided. For more information, call Diane Isaac at 204-989-1912.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
Every piece of reporting Aaron produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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History
Updated on Monday, October 29, 2018 11:41 AM CDT: changes email address