GIVING BACK
(CON TI N U ED)
INSIDE THE DOOR OF WOMEN GIVING BACK’S STERLING BOUTIQUE IS A SIGN QUOTING PROVERBS 31:25. “SHE IS CLOTHED IN STRENGTH AND DIGNITY.” IT’S WHY WGB VOLUNTEERS SAY WHAT THEY OFFER ISN’ T SO MUCH CLOTHES AS CONFIDENCE. the county’s students are homeless. WGB
might see families that have been separated
also helps during humanitarian crises,
because one of their members got deported,
shipping clothes to Haiti after the hurri-
and they were the only breadwinner of the
cane and to Jordan for Syrian refugees.
house. A lot of times, it is domestic violence
In the face of all that need, local women have opened their hearts and closets. Even
victims who may have fled their homes with the clothes on their back.”
by IRS standards, WGB’s boutique houses $2
Nicole says that women sometimes
million in inventory. More importantly, Nicole
drive up to the store and sit in their car cry-
says, “It’s quality clothing—some with designer
ing, unable to get out. “But when they come
labels and many still bearing new tags!”
in and are treated with so much respect,
Every photo taken for this article fea-
they tell us it was completely different than
tures clothes, shoes, jewelry, scarves
what they were expecting. It brings a little bit
and purses all literally plucked “off the
of normalcy back into their lives when they
rack” by their wearers the morning of our
get to come and shop here.”
impromptu fashion show.
Adding to the aura of a true retail experience,
Teen volunteers exercise both compassion
Bombas just donated 1,500 pairs of new socks
and fashion sense in helping to style WGB
from a special line made with the homeless
clients and work alongside workforce profes-
community in mind that is odor resistant, stays
sionals who help women “dress for success”
drier and doesn’t have to be washed as often.
and that all-important job interview. There’s
California retailer Isabelle ships maternity
even a standing volunteer job description
clothes whenever they run low. Hue supplies
for “personal shopper,” something 13-year-
socks, leggings and accessories. T.J. Maxx
old Lindsay Fox says she enjoys way more
donates seasonal items like Halloween cos-
than sorting clothes. She likes helping peo-
tumes and backpacks on top of funding from
ple look and feel good in what they wear. And
the TJX Foundation. Still in short supply is new
that, as it turns out, is WGB’s true “value add”
underwear, so finding retail partners to help
for women in need: the care and concern
with those, cosmetics, toiletries and feminine
with which they’re treated.
hygiene products would be a boon.
Inside the door of Women Giving Back’s
As Nicole pauses to try to think of any
Sterling boutique is a sign quoting Proverbs
other ongoing needs, she’s a little trans-
31:25. “She is clothed in strength and dig-
ported by giggles and exclamations over
nity.” It’s why WGB volunteers say what they
each model’s next outfit as volunteers pre-
offer isn’t so much clothes as confidence.
pare for their moment in the spotlight.
The major effect of life’s setbacks to
“Normally when women come here for
women often is the blow their confidence
the first time, they gravitate towards the
takes in having to ask for help, even though
purses because every woman wants a
a reversal of fortune can happen to anyone.
nice purse,” she says. “When they find a
“We have seen people who have had a
designer bag, they just beam. I was wrap-
health issue, and they get backed up on bills
ping up a Coach purse for a lady who said,
and lose their house. We’ve seen one-in-
‘No, no. I’m going to carry that out!’ It is so
come households that lose their job. We
much fun to see them so happy.”
10
Leesburg Lifestyle | September 2019
The executive director, Nicole Morris