Fall came quickly this year. One day we were chasing late sunsets, and the next, we were reaching for sweaters and watching the trees quietly change clothes.
The rush into fall can feel sudden, but real change still takes time— just like construction.
Leaves don’t turn overnight; they shift gradually. Construction happens in steps—and so do we.
While things feel uncertain, uneven, never-ending, or slow, remember:
Patience isn’t just waiting quietly.
It’s trusting that progress is happening, even if the full picture isn’t clear yet.
Debbie Siertsema General Manager MCC Thrift & Gift
BIRTHDAYS
Looking Into the New Year
You may have noticed staff missing on a couple of days for training in September. We were lucky enough to all be able to attend a Retail Workshop entitled “Doing Retail Differently.” This came from a trial role at MCC Thrift on Kent which for a temporary period, a staff person was hired to connect with the shoppers as security and partially a way to help connect those who needed assistance with other agencies. This role then brought about some training that would benefit staff.
We were reminded that:
• We are striving for a People-Centered Approach: We are committed to keeping people in mind in all that we do, in our role as peacekeepers in our everyday interactions—whether with customers, coworkers, or community members.
Our conversations included :
1. De-Escalation and Pre-Escalation
• De-Escalation: Understanding how to reduce the intensity of conflicts or potentially volatile situations with customers or team members.
• Pre-Escalation: Focusing on prevention first—building trust, empathy, and proactive communication to avoid the need for de-escalation in the first place.
2. Creating a Sense of Community
• Building authentic connections makes customers feel welcomed and valued, encouraging return visits and long-term loyalty.
• Strong community ties and partnerships can enhance our service impact and deepen our roots in the neighborhoods we serve. With the partnerships we create, we track and then are able to make deeper connections.
3. The Power of Connection
• Making meaningful connections can create a ripple effect—improving customer satisfaction, increasing team morale, and potentially benefiting the wider community through collaboration and shared values.
4. Unconscious Bias
• We explored how unconscious biases—the assumptions we make without realizing it—can influence our decisions and behavior.
• Becoming aware of these biases is essential to ensure fair, inclusive, and respectful interactions with everyone.
By keeping people at the center of our work, fostering a welcoming community, and becoming more aware of how we show up in every interaction, we not only prevent conflict but also create a space where everyone feels seen, safe, and supported.
Now Hiring
MCC Ontario is seeking a Thrift Growth & Performance Manager to lead strategic initiatives that drive growth, enhance shop performance, and support network-wide projects across all thrift locations. This role involves regular visits to MCC Ontario Thrift Shops and requires collaboration with General Managers and crossfunctional teams to implement innovative solutions. Hybrid and flexible work options are available, with a start date of November 24, 2025. If you know someone who would be a great fit for this role - or think you might be - please share or apply. bit.ly/Thrift-Growth-Performance-Manager
Join us in welcoming Brian and Chelsey!
Many of you may recognize Brian from his work with us during last Christmas season, as well as his time shopping with us throughout the year. We’re excited to have him back on the team!
Brian will be assisting in Receiving and Production on a Part-Time basis, helping on the days we need extra support, and playing a key role as we gear up for the transition into the Christmas season.
Please join us in Welcoming Chelsey into the “Team Member – Softline processing lead” role. This is a full-time role.
Chelsea joins us to help focus on increasing our soft goods production. You will see around the workroom space a list of how the role of Hard Goods and Soft line production has been divided between Chelsey and Monica.
Chelsey comes to us with experience from roles at Foodland and Picard’s Peanuts. With the addition of these two roles, we are anticipating a greater production which will help us to be able to forward more to MCC.
Thrifting Travels: Volunteers on the Hunt – Even Abroad!
We’ve discovered that our volunteers’ love for thrifting doesn’t stop at home—it travels with them!
This month, we’re excited to share photos from Marg McKee, who visited the Kildonan MCC Thrift Shop during her time in Manitoba. Thank you, Marg, for bringing us along on your adventure!
We also heard from Linda Webb, who kept up her Tuesday tradition of thrifting—even while overseas! Linda made sure to send photos to her co-worker in Clothing Sorting, proving that no matter where you are, there’s always time for a good thrift find.
We absolutely love receiving your photos and stories. If you find yourself near a thrift shop while travelling, snap a few pictures and send them our way— we’d be thrilled to include them in an upcoming newsletter!
Happy thrifting, wherever you are!
“Your time and talents are gifts beyond measure. Our volunteers we greatly treasure.”
~ quote found inside the MCC shop in Kildonan Manitoba.
Thank You for Your Feedback!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to our ideas, comments, and suggestions box. We’ve read through each idea and thoughtfully considered them as a team. While we may not be able to implement every idea, we truly value your input. Please continue to put your ideas, comments, and suggestions into the box by the microwaves. For those who included their name, we’ll be reaching out to share how your suggestion is being carried forward. Your voice matters—thank you for helping us grow together!
Learning, Listening, and Building Bridges: A Journey from Timmins
When Christopher Richardson—receiving team lead at MCC Thrift in St. Catharines—was invited to join a recent MCC Learning Tour to Timmins, he knew it would be meaningful. What he didn’t expect was how deeply it would reshape his understanding of Canada’s story, his own identity, and his role at MCC.
“Growing up, I thought I understood Canadian history,” Christopher reflects. “But so much was missing. I learned a lot over the past five years at MCC’s annual staff Truth and Reconciliation Day trainings, but on this tour, I really began to see through a new lens—an Indigenous lens.”
reflects Christopher. “[But] to have this Anglican church building now repurposed to bring hope and comfort to those same people is amazing.”
The journey north impressed him with the vastness of the land and the resilience of Indigenous communities. In Timmins, Christopher and the group, mostly other MCC staff, were led by MCC’s Indigenous Neighbours team through a jam-packed itinerary. They learned from partners like Mike Metatawabin, Deputy Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation. They walked through the city with city councillor Kristin Murray, who shared how huge murals now tell stories once suppressed. The visit to Quilts for Survivors—where handmade quilts are offered as gifts of warmth and healing to residential school survivors—was compelling. “The church did so much harm to Indigenous children through residential schools,”
“It was a heavy week,” Christopher admits. “But it was also hopeful. I saw bridges being built— between churches and Indigenous leaders, between communities, and in myself as I wrestled with what reconciliation means for me and my future children.”
Back at St. Catharines Thrift, Christopher is passionate about sharing what he learned, from dreaming about a mural by a local Indigenous artist to encouraging others to attend powwows and connect with Indigenous leaders in Niagara.
“I’m still working through what this means for me and my identity as a fifth-generation Canadian,” Christopher says. “But I am hopeful that I can do my part in making sure the next generation can view our identity and place in Canada through an Indigenous lens.”
Every day, hundreds of donations and purchases flow through MCC’s thrift shops. That work directly supports MCC’s programs and partners, including reconciliation and decolonizing initiatives like the ones Christopher saw in northern Ontario. Thank you for supporting this vital work!
MCC Ontario Peace Conference
November 1, 2025 at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate in Kitchener
Join us on Saturday, November 1, for the MCC Peace Conference and explore the art of everyday peace. Attend in person in Kitchener, remotely from home, or at a watch party in St Catharines, Leamington, or Markham.
Active MCC volunteers receive 25% off with the code MCCVOLUNTEER25.
Register by October 15 to secure your spot!
Learn more and register: mcc.org/events/peace-conference-0
