So the monthly volunteering continues. I feel like I’m getting closer to finding a volunteer project that is more of a calling for me and right up my alley.
A few weeks ago (maybe a couple of months ago), I was in the middle of a closet clean-out (or at least a little editing down), and I did the thing where you put together bundles of clothes and put them in your trunk and ride around with them sitting there for weeks on end before taking them wherever you’re going to donate them. Haha!
But it was during that time that I stumbled across an organization that takes donated clothing and other household items and creates tiny little pop-up shops that are dedicated to the homeless/unhoused population. They were having a donation drive inside a jewelry retail store and I grabbed the woman’s card because I was intrigued and told her that I’d be interested in finding out more about volunteering, etc.
I took the card and put it inside a desk drawer and forgot about it until it was time for me to figure out what I was going to do for July’s volunteer event!
Now during that between time, my interest in thrifting, antiquing, and vintage shopping has grown for whatever reason. Maybe it’s because after going through my closet and seeing how much fast fashion I have was giving me carbon footprint guilt. Maybe it’s because I love the challenge of creating new looks from older items. Maybe it’s just the thrill of the hunt, but I’ve been researching all the local thrift markets and how to shop these places like a pro. [Side note: I already know a lot from my fashion background - especially sewing and manufacturing methods. So I know what to look for and what constitutes good quality, but there are a lot of little tips and tricks that are fun to research!]
So when I pulled out the card and looked at the website, I saw that there were a few opportunities in July to help out with these pop-up shops. And the one scheduled for Saturday (yesterday) got me so excited because it was going to be a pop-up at a homeless village where tiny houses have been built.
Have I ever told you about my fascination for tiny houses? It kinda goes hand-in-hand with my fascination for container homes. I just find them wildly intriguing…like, how do you make such small structures into super cool and efficient living spaces?
So ALL of that combined had me immediately interested in volunteering to help put this together. I immediately inquired and I was sent back a waiver.
Now.
The waiver had me a little nervous because it basically stated that it’s not the organization’s fault if I’m injured or killed on this property!! Like, what?!
I gotta be honest and tell you that I felt a little PTSD from my downtown days in my previous city where I encountered the homeless population daily and it was hit-and-miss every day. Like, you never knew if someone was going to be angry and violent on any given day. Or if someone was going to be sweet and friendly. Or if a new batch of K2 had hit the streets. Always a mystery grab bag!
But I did a lot of research on the place and determined that it was very organized and well thought-out. And by the time I got there are got inside the village, I was glad I trusted my gut to go ahead and do this…
Because it was so much freaking fun and rewarding!
Marcella, the woman who runs this thrift pop-up organization has it ALL TOGETHER. There were four of us female volunteers, plus Marcella. And she is obviously well-known at this tiny house shelter village. And before she even got out of the truck pulling the cute little thrift shop trailer, there were about five men out there wanting to help set up.
There were racks and racks of clothing, shoes, housewares, books and some other interesting items, all set up on wheels and fully mobile. It took us less than 10 minutes to set up the cutest little thrift shop you ever did see!
And the way the shelter itself is set up, it’s for people who need temporary shelter - many times emergency temporary shelter. There are no rules around sobriety or pets or anything. With many other shelters, there are requirements that might rule a lot of these folks out, but not only is this place welcoming to all, it is also very heavily guarded with many, many security personnel (possibly temporary tenants as well? Maybe?). The idea is to get folks into a tiny cabin and provide resources to get them into a more permanent shelter or home. I read that the average length stay is four months.
Before this was a shelter full of tiny cabins, it was a tent city during COVID. I guess that there was a big sweep of the unhoused during covid and they were pushed out to this encampment. An organization was created to help the folks in this makeshift shantytown to build these little cabins and to help these folks in ways that they could live a more dignified and healthy life.
The cabins are cute and colorful and some people have decorated them on the outside (they all have little front porches). And there are shower buildings in between the streets and alleyways. And there are covered cantinas/grills in between as well where people can gather and eat and have events like this pop-up.
And the folks I encountered were just as colorful and friendly as the cabins! Some of them asked a lot of questions. Some of them wanted me to pick out clothes and shoes for them. Some of them came through like a hurricane, grabbing lots of items and then quickly bolting.
It was HOT outside, and we were only partially in the shade. I had to layer and layer on the sunscreen and drink lots of water. But it was all very easy and casual and the folks we served were so amazingly gracious and thanked us for our time and our efforts again and again.
I loved it.
And before I event felt like we started it was time to tear everything down and go.
A LOT of the things had been taken, which was so cool to see. I could also see that this organization needs help with menswear donations! There just wasn’t enough mens clothing to go around for these guys. And they were asking for things! Pants! Shorts! Shoes! C’mon guys, let’s donate!!
Anyway. I took a lot of photos and videos (without being intrusive or getting anyone’s face in my shots so I could be respectful of their privacy), and posted a lot of things on my socials yesterday. Marcella reposted a lot of them and sent me a DM saying she loved my vibe and wanted to talk to me some more one-on-one! I’m excited to talk to her! I want to do more with this group.
Maybe I’ve found a volunteer calling?? We’ll see! I’m excited about it!
xo,
GS
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