Help The Hope Chest Provide for Battered Women and Children

Recently, I spoke with Sally Skurfirst about her 18-year involvement in , 717 W. Hillgrove Ave., a resale store that uses its proceeds and merchandise to suppors the Constance Morris House in Summit, which "provides physical and psychological safety to women and their children, fleeing abusive relationships and to empower their clients to make informed choices about their lives," according to its mission statement.

Skurfirst is very passionate about the shop and the services it is able to provide. They are always looking for donations and volunteers. According to Skurfirst, the shop accomplishes four things:

“It raises money to help fund programs at the Constance Morris House. This money is needed more than ever with severe cuts that have taken place over the past couple years.

Clients of Constance Morris House, who might arrive at the shelter with nothing, can fill out a wish list for what they need and Hope Chest volunteers will select the needed items from the shop and take them to the women at the shelter.

Money raised through sales can be used to purchase household essentials for the women who choose to start a new life by moving out on their own. Again, they provide us with a wish list and volunteers will go to Walmart to buy dishes, glasses, linens, etc., for their new home.

And finally, The Hope Chest provides gently used (and sometimes brand new) clothing, shoes, accessories and small household items to the community at fantastic prices, which in today's economy, not only benefits those who struggle to make ends meet, but is also appreciated by anyone trying to save money.”

To date, The Hope Chest has raised $250,000 for Constance Morris House and has been able to provide clothing to hundreds of women and children moving in to the shelter and household items to many others moving out. 

They are always looking for volunteers and gently used donations. The shop is small—staffed by several part time paid managers, only one at a time, and volunteers—so they really strive to keep it stocked with high quality merchandise. It is really a fun place to volunteer and shop. Volunteers are asked to commit to a three hour shift each month but the shop will happily schedule them for more shifts if asked.

Stop in and take a look around this great little shop. They have terrific items for sale and it goes to a great cause. If you are interested in volunteering please click here.