Double Take thrift store offers second chance to those in need

TORONTO – A thrift shop in downtown Toronto tries to offer a second chance to those who need it.

Double Take is a thrift store that is part of the Yonge Street Mission; it sells high quality items at a thrift store price. The store offers clothing, shoes, purses, furniture, and more.

“The Yonge Street Mission has been working on the front lines of poverty since 1896, that’s a 118 years, and we serve primarily, well people who are experiencing poverty, but primarily we focus on newcomer Canadian families, homeless youth, and adults who are marginalized in some way,” said the president and CEO of Yonge Street Mission, Angie Draskovic.

Double Take offers first time employment opportunities to newcomers to Canada so they can get experience here; it also provides affordable clothing and other goods to those who need it.

“Families in this community have very low incomes and it’s not a lot of disposable income for clothing,” Draskovic said.

Double Take also provides people who are involved in other programs through Yonge Street Mission the opportunity to have a dignified shopping experience.

“We give them gift certificates so that they can come here and shop for what they need and select the clothing that suits their needs,” Draskovic.

Sales associate Jhunu Bose said that this was her ideal job. Jhunu had never been employed in Canada and Double Take gave her the opportunity to work.

“I had never work, I had no resume. But when back home my younger sister’s husband died, I wanted to help her, I really wanted to help her,” said Jhunu. “I am so grateful I am here.”

Jhunu is getting experience in all aspects of retail: she prices items, she sorts and organizes, she works at the register and in the back room.

Not only is she gaining valuable experience, she also enjoys her job.

“I think I can do something for the community, for the people, for homeless people, poor people, that’s why I like this place. I feel nice, at the end of the day I feel nice.”

Rachelle Fortin came into Double Take to donate a bag of clothing, “I live in the community and I used to be a client here at Yonge Street Mission, the Double Take Store. And I just feel good about being able to give back to people that need.”

Rachelle said that she was able to get a job by shopping for interview clothing from the store; she was also able to furnish her apartment with items from the store.

She recommends this store because sometimes people can’t afford things in brand name stores and that’s what Double Take is there for. “I believe that donors would like other people to use their things because most donors, they’ve been clients from this store and they know how it feels to be in need,” she said.