On Tuesday, April 9th, Retail Therapy KW was robbed.

We are a grassroots organization that started from scratch just one year ago. Retail Therapy funds the Domestic Violence Victims Alliance and provides free shopping passes to survivors of domestic violence. We provide them with anything and everything they might need or want for their new safe homes. Most survivors have to leave their furniture and belongings behind when they make the brave decision to leave. We help save them thousands of dollars and ensure that their home isn’t empty when they start their new lives.

On Tuesday, two of our volunteers arrived to open the store and discovered that our critical electronics, onsite cash, and various store items had been taken. As a result, we had to close the store immediately and suspend our support services. Our security systems were compromised and we lost four days of sales. The theft alone cost us over $5,000.

March 15th marked our one year anniversary and we celebrated how much we have been able to provide the community. Four months ago, we went from supporting 1 to 2 survivors per month to supporting 1 to 2 survivors per week and we expect this number to grow. Sadly, we are still waiting on the CRA to approve our charitable status, so until then, we rely 100% on store sales to operate.

This scary experience showed us just how vulnerable we are to unexpected circumstances and brought to our attention an immediate need for contingency reserves. In addition to recovering our losses, $20,000 more will cover operating expenses for one month and provide us with a budget for additional security equipment as part of our safety and prevention strategy.

Please make a donation and share this campaign with as many people as possible.

Retail Therapy is open again as of Saturday, April 13th, so come shop if you’re in the area! With your help, we can get back to supporting local survivors and thrifters.

DVVA and Retail Therapy was founded by Amanda Kroetsch, a survivor who knows first-hand how hard it is to recover from intimate partner violence.  She and our amazing volunteers thank you so, so much in advance for your help.

DVVA (Domestic Violence Victims Alliance) and Retail Therapy are doing business under 14628772 Canada Association, a registered nonprofit organization which is currently an applicant with the CRA to become a registered charity.