Our Purpose:

The purpose of My Sister’s Closet is to use our resources of reselling gently used and new donations provided by the community to benefit The Family Violence Program, Inc. of Pitt County. More specifically, all proceeds generated from My Sister’s Closet go to benefit the New Directions Safe House, counseling services, community education and legal assistance. It is our belief that all who are victims of domestic violence should have a safe place and the resources to escape violence and begin the journey to a new life.

In short, “Breaking Cycles, Building Lives.”

You will find more information below on our store location and management team and how you can help in the fight against domestic violence by donating items.

Timeline:

• 1996– V.A. Merritt Building

• 10/96 to 4/97– Dickinson Ave.

• 4/97 to 1/00– Evans St.

• 1/29/00 to Present– 10th St.

My Sister’s Closet Was Born!!!

The women set up shop selling the donated clothing to the public with all proceeds going to The Family Violence Program, Inc. of Pitt County. The clients of the safe house received store vouchers that were turned into the store so they could receive the clothing at no cost. In addition to clothing, clients were also able to choose from a varied selection of household items, including furniture, which was being accepted at that time. The store remained at the Merritt Building until its demolition in 1996. The store was then moved to the Dickinson Avenue location, where it continued to slowly grow and improve. As it became larger, the need for more space was clear and so the store was moved to the Evans Street location. The highly visible location caused a very large growth of donations and customer traffic and another move was soon in needed.
The current location on 10th Street was the next move in January 2000 and the store continues to prosper and grow due to generous donations of items by the community and the volunteer services of many community members.

Who is involved on a daily basis with the operations of the store?

Judy Hutchens became store manager in 1997 and Ava Cozzi joined as co-manager in 1999. They work daily to provide a clean, comfortable and pleasing shopping experience for the customers by sorting through the donations received, pricing the items and having them available in an attractive and easy to shop atmosphere. Lydia Herbert still volunteers at the store to this day. Several other very dedicated volunteers help in the day-to-day process of going through donations and helping run the store by attending to customer needs. Volunteers are acquired through several means. Some people have donated time just by wanting to be a part of the solution and coming in to ask how they can help. Other volunteers are acquired through several state agencies, including Work First, Job Link, the clients at the Safe House and volunteer organizations such as the Service League. The only thing needed to volunteer is a commitment to being part of the solution and the willingness to volunteer as you feel you can. For more information on volunteering, you can contact the store managers.

The Board of Directors for New Directions that is very active in the promotion of and the behind the scenes part of My Sister’s Closet. Initially two previous board members, Jane McDonald and Lib Shepard oversaw the project and Mrs. McDonald continued as a liaison between the Board of Directors and the store until January 2000. At that time, she handed the baton to Sarah Minges who is the current liaison. The Board of Directors and the staff of My Sister’s Closet work together to insure that the best outcome possible is obtained for the store.  

Donations

At My Sister’s Closet we have a few guidelines that we offer regarding donations:

1. We accept *gently used* items. We ask that items are clean and not be torn or damaged beyond repair, such as large holes.
    

2. We also accept new items that will be sold at a price that is fair in the resale market.
   

3. We do accept household items such as, but not limited to, dishes, bedding, toys, and jewelry. We again request that these items be *gently used* or new and in no need of serious repair.
   

4. We accept all seasons of clothing at all times of the year.
   

5. We do NOT accept furniture or other large items such as appliances at this time. We request that these types of items be donated to an organization such as Habitat for Humanity Resale Store, where they can be properly handled and sold.

All items are donations and therefore are eligible as a tax deduction; just inquire at the time of donation for the needed paper work.

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