My Sister’s Place Thrift Store and Donation Center in downtown Ansonia is more than a thrift shop — it’s a place of healing, customer Carolyn Bank said.
Proceeds from the store benefits programs that support victims of domestic violence. Bank routinely shops at the store because she knows her money will be used to help people.
Bank is featured in a four-minute film promoting the store, run by BHcare, a behavioral health organization. The film seeks to raise awareness of the free programs available to assist domestic violence victims.
All proceeds from the store benefit The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, also part of BHcare. My Sister’s Place donates more than $176,000 a year to The Umbrella.
On Thursday a red carpet viewing party complete with popcorn and candy was held at the store at 380 Main St. to celebrate release of the film.
The article continues after the video:
My Sister’s Place…a fun thrift store with a serious cause from Annalisa Russell-Smith on Vimeo.
Store manager Nancy Cahoon thanked staff, volunteers, and loyal customers who were on hand. “Everyone has choices,” she said. “You have plenty of places to go (to shop) and you come here.”
Bank, an Ansonia resident, said she loves the store.
“I come here every day,” she said. “It’s a healing place.You get so much peace, and you meet people (going through difficult times.)” Bank said she understands their plight because she once was in a similar situation.
Bank made the audience laugh when she said she had bought her entire outfit there.
“When I’m wearing it, I know why I purchased it,” she said.
Photojournalist Annalisa Russell-Smith produced the video. She owns Local Planet Productions, LLC. Cahoon said Russell-Smith has “a gift for taking a big story” and condensing it into a short film.
BHcare Director of Development Arlene Greco said there were no paid actors in the film. She said the video features “real people” who shop at, donate to, and support My Sister’s Place.
Susan DeLeon, the director of the Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, said what staff and volunteers do on a daily basis offers “an opportunity for women, children, and sometimes men to get help.”
Cahoon thanked the shop’s landlord, Michael Baruch, for attending the film’s premiere and showing his support.
UCDVS provides emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis hotline, walk-in crisis centers, counseling, advocacy, and other support services, free of charge to more than 7,000 victims of domestic violence and their children each year.
The hotline phone numbers: (203) 736‑9944 and (203) 789‑8104 or 1 – 888-774‑2900.
