As the cost of goods continue to rise, the Women in Need Society (WINS) and Bow Valley College (BVC) are trying to make life easier for students.
Located on their downtown campus, BVC has opened a first-of-its-kind campus social enterprise thrift store. The store is said to bring together education, sustainability and social impact.
The store will serve students and staff in the same way a typical thrift store would, with clothes for sale and donation bins.
For students in the Chiu School of Business, across programs including business administration, supply chain management, human resources, data analytics and
marketing, the store will offer the chance to engage directly with WINS’ operations, according to a BVC-issued statement.
Bart Chudleigh, Dean of the Chiu School of Business, called the announcement more than the opening of a retail store.
“Today is about the opening of doors, the doors to opportunity, the doors to dignity, the doors to confidence, connection and community. At Bow Valley College, our mission is centered around preparing people for meaningful futures through career-focused education. WINS shares a very similar purpose, connecting women and families to the resources they need to thrive,” he said.
“When you really think about it, both of our organizations exist to create pathways forward.”
Karen Ramchuk, President and CEO of WINS, said that their organization is built on meeting people where they are at. Now, with the new location, WINS will be able to do that unlike ever before.
“We support women and their families, but we do it in a way that’s really dignified and respectful, and it’s what they need, instead of us saying, ‘Here’s the way you need to get help,’ it’s, ‘How can we help you?’ Because we earn so much of our revenue through our social enterprise, we’re not locked into funding agreements, so we’re flexible that way,” she told LWC.
“Opening on campus here, what it did, it gave faculty a way to support their students with a lot of respect and dignity, so students don’t even necessarily understand that they’re getting that help from the faculty, and then it also gives the students opportunity to engage in the social enterprise.”
Ramchuk said that with many students working every open hour they have, the ability to shop right on campus will be very impactful for the student body.
Thus far in his academic journey, Happy Akbari, a student and volunteer with BVC, said that he’s learned that education goes beyond the classroom.
“It begins on campus and activities, meeting new people and becoming part of the college community is also a part of the learning journey,” he said.
“In my own journey at Bow Valley College, volunteering has been a very meaningful experience to me. WINS is more than just a space on campus, it represents community learning, support and sustainability, it gives students a chance to grow while also giving back to the community.”
Announcement could start run on post-secondary thrifting: Officials
Though BVC will forever be the first school in Calgary with a WINS location, Ramchuk is predicting that it won’t be the last.
“I absolutely think that this is something that every post-secondary should want on their campus and we’re willing to have a partnership format and do that work,” she said.
“Students, if they can’t take the time to breathe because they’re working three jobs trying to get food on the table, or whatever that looks like, there’s a way for us to alleviate some of that pressure. The students are our future leaders of tomorrow, so if we can help to invest into that group of population, then we should be doing that.”
For now, eligible BVC students will have access to WINS’ House to Home program, which
offers essential household items, furniture and clothing to support stable living environments, according to a school-issued release.
