Although Hope Thrift officially closed its doors Sept. 1, it will not hold back the organization from its dedication to changing lives in South Tucson.
Hope Thrift, a part of Hope Recovery Inc., found it wasn’t generating enough income to cover rent, much less contribute to the social programs it once helped serve. The South Tucson store employed those involved in their recovery program as a way to learn new skills and obtain work experience.
Hope Recovery Inc. is a non-profit Christian based organization and transitional housing program designed to help men and women recovering from life-controlling issues such as drug and alcohol abuse.
“Our mission today is to allow men and women, who want to make some serious changes in their life, giving them an opportunity to do so and giving them the resources,” said Pete Moore, director of Hope Recovery.
Hope Thrift originally opened in 2008 on Flowing Wells, and later relocated 6th Avenue to a more affordable building location.
“July was really hard for us. There were days where we only made $45 or $65. It was our second year that we weathered through the summer. We just couldn’t do it anymore,” said Cecilia Moore, co-founder of the organization.
Financial struggles are not a foreign issue to non-profit organizations. According to the Arizona Alliance of Nonprofits, 82 percent of nonprofits were forced to cut back on operations in 2009 due to declining revenues.
“When you’re in a non-profit organization such as ours, that terminology, “non-profit”, brings on a whole new meaning. It is really a non-profit. You figure out what a labor of love is all about,” said Pete Moore.
Cecilia Moore has high hopes the store will re-open as soon as they find a new location that fits their needs. It was more than just a thrift store to the community, she said. Some people would come in just for prayer or to talk.
“It was more of a service side. It was a growing opportunity for someone coming into a store thinking they were going to get a knick-knack or trinket or piece of clothing, but also receiving a little bit more than what they had expected,” said Pete Moore. “Coming in and finding out what we we’re about, what we’re doing and the lives that are changing, had an impact on some people that was absolutely amazing.”
After the store closed, the organization wasted no time in putting its energy toward their other programs: Junk for Hope, Trinity Landscape, and even selling jewelry at famers markets.
Hope for Junk is its newest venture starting Aug. 1. The program which accepts car donations. Depending on the vehicle, it is either fixed up for someone in need of a car or sold for its parts. Some are even used within the program to transport everyone to meetings or church.
“The ones we can’t fix and put back on the road we scrap to help run the ministry, so that’s one of our main financial resources that we utilize,” said Pete Moore.
Michelle Ostberg, who is in the recovery program, hopes to stay a part of the organization in the future. She worked at Hope Thrift and now helps Cecilia Moore with a jewelry booth at local farmers markets.
“People are recognizing us,” Ostberg said. “We’re making a name for ourselves.”
Cecilia Moore and Ostberg can be found at the Downtown Farmers Market Arts and Crafts Mercado outside the library on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at El Presidio Park in front of the courthouse Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“I like to tell people about what we do,” said Cecilia Moore. “Other social service organizations are really big, and they provide a lot for people, but because we’re so small we can do more of a one-on-one and really help.”
