Have you felt a desire to help those who have been incarcerated and are reentering society? Second Chances Thrift Store is the ideal charity for you! This post will tell you all about what Second Chances Thrift Store is, why you should get involved, and exactly how you can do that!
Second Chances Thrift Store is a non-profit organization in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They provide new and used furniture, clothing, and more at thrift shop prices to recently released convicts as a way to aid them in starting their lives over.
In addition to the merchandise available, they take a personal interest in their customer’s society rehabilitation through guidance, support, ministry, and prayer. They also aid the homeless through the same ministries and opportunities.
Of course, their generous hearts are not only open to those who have been incarcerated or homeless. Each year, as the school year begins, Second Chances Thrift Store shows its support of teachers by giving an outfit to any teacher who comes in!
Supporting a charity that promotes the local community is beyond amazing!
Getting involved is super easy! For starters, you can pray over this ministry! We know that the work of prayer goes beyond anything we can physically do!
Alternatively, if you would like to be more hands-on, you can donate time as a volunteer, donate new and used items to the shop, or contribute financially!
As always, sharing and liking their social media posts as well as this blog post can bring new eyes and hearts to Second Chances Thrift Store.
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A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. – John 13:34
What Is Second Chances Thrift Store?
Second Chances Thrift Store is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on helping people who have been incarcerated through financial assistance, donations, and specialized care. Get involved by donating goods or money. Prayers are also welcome. Plus, there are other ways you can help this local charity.
The owner, Delisa, is said to have started Second Chances Thrift Store after having been spiritually moved during a sermon. She was attending her home congregation of Memorial Road Church of Christ.
She wanted to aid those who had been incarcerated to get back on their feet and knew a thrift store would be the answer. However, Delisa knew that these individuals would need more than financial assistance; they would need someone who cared about their needs!
Those who work at Second Chances Thrift Store take the time to listen to people’s stories and find ways to aid them outside of their material needs.
Through local feeding programs, meeting with caseworkers, and assisting in meeting healthcare needs, those in need in the community can turn to Second Chances Thrift for more than just clothing.
If people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14
Why Should You Get Involved With Second Chances Thrift Store?
In a 2020 survey, it was estimated that more than 1,500 people were experiencing homelessness in Oklahoma City. It is further estimated that 3 out of 4 homeless individuals have experienced some form of incarceration.
While our prison system works hard to provide rehabilitation and study courses to those who are incarcerated, once released, many of these individuals are on their own.
Nearly a quarter of all individuals released from prison will eventually go back, and ex-convicts are 10 times more likely to be homeless than other individuals.
Second Chances Thrift Store is working hard to curb these percentages. By offering assistance to individuals who are reentering society, it helps lower the chances of these individuals ending up homeless.
There is a pattern that persists in this demographic. An individual is incarcerated for a crime they committed. Having paid their debt to society, they are allowed to return home. However, upon release, they have no money and no form of income.
Many individuals struggle to find employment because of their incarceration history.
Circumstances and a failure for proper guidance and support find this individual returning to crime as a way to provide an income or feed and clothe themselves. They return to prison, and the pattern starts over again.
Second Chances Thrift Store disrupts this pattern, providing key elements in a time of confusion and stress. By getting involved in Second Chances Thrift Store, you provide an individual with the ability to start over in a positive light.
You can aid this ministry in continuing to not only assist these individuals in restarting their lives but also finding eternity in Christ.
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. – Isaiah 55:7
How Can You Get Involved With Second Chances Thrift Store?
There are many ways to get involved with Second Chances Thrift Store. They are simple and easy and are available to you no matter your financial situation or time availability! It is possible to find the right volunteer opportunity for you!
Pray for Second Chances Thrift Store
As with any ministry, our prayers can do amazing things. You can pray over the donations and merchandise that Second Chances Thrift Store receives. Likewise, you can pray that these donations are bountiful and useful!
You can pray over the volunteers that assist at Second Chances Thrift Store, praying over their hearts and discernment. You can pray that their eyes will be open to those who need assistance both within the store and in other areas of their lives.
Also, you can pray over Delisa as she continues to follow God’s will for her ministry. You can continuously pray over her as a leader and a believer.
Allow the Lord to guide YOU as you pray over this ministry and how you can be of assistance! Look at How to Pray for Beginners if you aren’t sure where to start!
Donations
Second Chances Thrift Store accepts donations of your gently used goods. Donations of furniture, appliances, household items, and clothing are always needed. The ministry only exists through the goodness of the community.
Please remember that donations do not have to be second-hand. Often an individual is led by the Spirit to donate new items. Do not feel limited in your generosity. Reach out to Second Chances Thrift Store to find out more information on donations.
Consider decluttering to assist in finding useful items to donate! Read all about how to start decluttering and where to find the motivation to declutter!
Second Chances Thrift Store offers collections in the Oklahoma City area. You can contact the store to arrange a pick-up! Deliveries or postal donations are also acceptable. All donations are tax-deductible!
Do you have a creative side? Consider knitting a pattern for donation with a personal touch!
Volunteer
Do you live in or around Oklahoma City? Consider volunteering your time at Second Chances Thrift Store.
The shop is always in need of volunteers for an hour a day. You can assist in the warehouse or by organizing inventory.
Become a Sponsor
As a non-profit ministry, financial support is always of value. There are expenses such as rent and electricity, printing and labeling, as well as operational costs.
You can sponsor Second Chances Thrift Store directly and learn more about how to give and serve on their direct website – Second Chances Thrift Store.
Second Chances Thrift Store will be grateful to you no matter what your involvement is! As a growing ministry, all help is appreciated!
They only asked us to remember the poor– the very thing I was eager to do. – Galatians 2:10
Recognizing Second Chances Thrift Store
It is easy for us to overlook the needs of the less fortunate. A societal mentality of thinking that people should “help themselves” or “they got what they deserve” has hardened our hearts and closed off opportunities for improvement.
Second Chances Thrift Store is actively fighting against these biased opinions and is working on getting individuals the help they need.
You can follow Second Chances Thrift Store on Facebook to receive regular updates on the many ways this ministry is active in the community.
Recently, the store was recognized in the news for the much-needed resources they are providing to the homeless community.
Through the many encouraging videos and updated posts, you can see how the ministry is reaching out beyond clothing to assist with housing, healthcare, and much more!
Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. – 2 Corinthians 9:6
Conclusion
If you are ready to help those previously incarcerated or currently homeless with your time and donations, I hope this article has provided you with the necessary information and encouragement you needed.
If you have other ideas on how to reach out to those on the street or those who are restarting their lives, we would love to hear them!
This article has explained to you what Second Chances Thrift Store is, how it got started, why this ministry is needed, and how you can get involved. Regardless of your age, employment sector, race, gender, or hobbies, there is a way for you to help!
Do you feel a calling to reach out and begin ministering before these individuals are ever released from prison? Consider writing a letter to those in jail! Your words of encouragement can impact someone’s life for eternity!
Remember that one of the best ways you can assist this ministry is to like and share this post! Word of mouth helps this ministry reach more and do more!
I’d love to hear from you! Please comment below regarding this charity or another one on your mind!! Your input is welcome!
Those who give freely gain even more; others hold back what they owe, becoming even poorer. – Proverbs 11:24
