Save Resale Therapy: Youth 16-24 Career Readiness

Dear Resale Therapy Community,

Our vision for Resale Therapy was not merely to create a business, but to foster a community, a hub of thrifting, and a space where students and thrifters alike could thrive. The support we have received has been nothing short of amazing, and we are proud to see Resale Therapy becoming synonymous with thrifting is the new therapy for many! We have created an inviting and inclusive environment, within walking distance from Arizona State University. Our family of two, mother and daughter duo Althea & Julana has now grown to a family of 30 college interns, who see Resale Therapy as their home away from home. They have coached, mentored, and nurtured 3 cohorts of interns, and currently have 15 more on the waiting list! They are able to make new friends and be productive in a collaborative creative working environment. Our interns are earning undergraduate degrees that include entrepreneurship, marketing, fashion design, public relations, photography, and more.

This has led to the development of our youth workforce training program which was asked to participate in Career Ready Tempe by the City and Tempe Chamber of Commerce as a youth workforce site for highschool interns this upcoming summer 2024. We have made a commitment to connect, grow, and uplift students across the valley. We have spent tireless hours, carefully curating a space where everyone can see themselves reflected and celebrated. We are not only a thrift store where you can fill a bag for ten dollars from our bins, but we offer retail shelf and rack space to a variety of consignors and small business brands.

We have generously shared our storefront through hosting 8 successful free events which have included local designers, painters, performers and numerous vendors at no charge. During our engaging experiences the community and small businesses enjoyed free pop-up space, live art, runway fashion shows, live poetry, rap battles, esthetician services, live screen printing, free giveaways, and local food trucks.

Our start up has experienced the highs and lows of entrepreneurship: being featured on Fox News, completing the BBB GoDaddy Ignite Entrepreneurial program, our side windows busted on two occasions, growing our Instagram following from 50 to 3500, being awarded two micro- grants, graffiti vandalism to the storefront, and being designated as a youth workforce site for HS students, all THIS within our first 4 months of opening our doors for operations.

Now, we find ourselves at a juncture where we need your support to continue the meaningful and necessary work we have been doing in the City of Tempe. Resale Therapy has become more than just a thrift store; it is a community third space, a source of wellness, and a hub of fun. To sustain and expand our efforts, we humbly request your generous donations. Your contributions will enable us to maintain the vibrant environment you have come to love and ensure that Resale Therapy continues to thrive as a haven for students, small business, creatives, and thrifters. The funds raised will go toward catching up on overhead costs and debts incurred during our start up phase.

Your support means the world to us, and we believe that together, we can continue to build a space that brings joy, community, and a sense of belonging to all who walk through our doors. Please consider donating and being a part of the ongoing Resale Therapy story.

We can receive donations via Zelle at [email redacted]

Thank you for being an integral part of our Resale Therapy family. We look forward to many more years of community, wellness, and fun together.

With gratitude,

The Norwood Family and the Resale Therapy Team