In an effort to serve the Oxford community, the Oxford Family Resource Center is planning on opening a thrift store in January 2009.
According to Missy Barger, client services supervisor, the center provides basic essentials to get people "back on their feet," such as helping those in need with rent, utilities, clothing and transportation.
Barger said the center hopes the thrift store, which may be located in the back parking lot of 5445 College Corner Pike, will help people become involved as shoppers and volunteers.
"We're opening (the thrift shop) because Head Start moved out and we decided it was an opportunity to move our clothing room there to expand," said Diane Ruther-Vierling, executive director of the center.
Ruther-Vierling said the thrift store will rely on clients to serve as both volunteers and shoppers. The center is proposing a policy that will allow low-income families to earn in-store credit for volunteering. Ruther-Vierling said this training will allow clients to practice job skills and build their resumes.
Barger said Ruther-Vierling had the original idea to build the thrift store.
According to Ruther-Vierling, when one of the center's three buildings became vacant, the leadership decided to "move in a new direction" and expand the clothing shop.
"The center currently has a miniature store set up, where people are free to shop once a week," Barger said. "There is a reasonable amount of not only clothes, but also housewares. The store is completely stocked on donations."
Barger said Miami students can become involved by volunteering at the Family Resource Center. Students can also donate gently used clothing.
According to Barger, when the thrift store opens for the public, it will aim to price clothes lower than its main competitor, the Goodwill in Hamilton. Barger said in special need cases, such as fire or any other natural disaster, the Family Resource Center will provide clothing free of charge.
Barger said the prospects for getting the lot approved for zoning purposes looks promising.
"(The Center) has been to the planning commission, had our first city council reading and next Tuesday, the city council will vote," said Ruther-Vierling.
Jung-Han Chen, Community Development Director for the City of Oxford, said the new thrift store will provide employment training opportunities and will utilize the vacant building. Chen said the thrift store currently has an "assistant program," which means it hands out clothes to anyone in need.
Barger said the store does not have a name yet.
"We are working on something catchy," she said.
