Sharon first interacted with YSM through fabric shopping at our Double Take thrift store while teaching teen girls in Regent Park sewing and how to create up-cycled crafts. Frequent return trips connected her with Kathy, Double Take’s then Manager, who commissioned Sharon to create a wall hanging for the store.

A few years later, Sharon started working at YSM’s Evergreen Centre, leveraging her creative skills to benefit the street- involved youth being served there. As of this summer, Sharon has now stepped into the role of Double Take’s Store Manager.

After getting settled, her priority this fall has been working with store staff to find safe ways for the store to re-open and continue serving the community. As new protocols start to feel routine, Sharon and her team are now looking forward to identifying new opportunities.

“I’m excited to support all YSM programs – to help them make the most of having a thrift store as part of YSM. I’m also looking forward to integrating our training opportunities into the store, to optimize the benefit for our community members.” Sharon talks further about some new initiatives for the store, including sustainability projects, “Especially now that so many kids are home with their parents, we want to create zero-waste product offerings, like craft kits for families to make together from donations that may not be otherwise usable, such as sweaters which shrunk in the wash.”

Double Take has started a YouTube channel. To get involved or learn some new crafting skills visit ysm.ca/double-take.