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Not for Profit: Closet to Closet

Aug. 26, 2007 — The Women's Coalition of St. Croix resale shop, Closet to Closet, has been serving twin purposes since 1990: selling affordable clothing and other items and funding Women's Coalition projects with the proceeds.
The first store was on Queen Street in Christiansted. According to store manager Ann Marie Bedell, "It was just a little hole in the wall and we were bursting at the seams, and the location was not great."
Mary Mingus, co-director of Women's Coalition, said, "With the generosity of [local entrepreneur] Warren Mosler, we were able to occupy a much larger building, therefore we are able to serve the community better."
The current store at 15 Peter's Rest held its grand opening in June of 2006. It is spacious enough to hold furniture, appliances, household goods, long shelves of books, a number of clothing racks, plus odds and ends.
On a recent Saturday afternoon, the store was packed with shoppers, some speaking English, others Spanish and other languages. People were taking advantage of one of the many sales at Closet to Closet: This one was for men's and women's clothing at one dollar per item.
WCSC has expanded its services to the Spanish speaking community through the hiring of a part-time Spanish speaking outreach worker. Also there has been the addition of two Spanish-speaking groups – Domestic Violence and Parenting Group.
Services of WCSC include, immediate crisis and victim services, person-to-person advocacy, follow-up referrals, court advocate, shelter, education and training and children's services.
According to its mission statement, WCSC provides "services to reduce and prevent all forms of family violence and to assist families on St. Croix." The organization's vision is a world where violence and oppression is no longer be tolerated, where world peace truly begins at home.
Bedell is the only paid store employee, with eight volunteers to help her. "We're like our own little family," she said. "That's why the store is so successful."
Somedays Bedell feels like an extra pair of hands would be nice, but it takes special volunteers to handle the shop. They all have to subscribe to the philosophy of Women's Coalition: "Never another battered woman." Bilingual volunteers are a big asset.
Mingus said, "The store is doing so much better than we ever dreamed, it is helping so many people. We are so thankful for the people who donate and the St. Croix community for supporting Closet to Closet."
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop-off times are during regular shop hours.
Fundraisers held by the Coalition this year were Chairs as Art, a tennis tournament held in April, Women Race in June and a golf tournament in July.
For more information about the Coalition call 773-9272.
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