By Julie Snyder
C & G Staff Writer

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Too often when a woman flees an abusive relationship, she leaves with only the clothes on her back.

These survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and eventual homelessness — men included — are welcome with open arms to seek refuge at Turning Point Inc. in Macomb County.

There, the necessary counseling, support and advocacy assistance is provided. So are those important material items, like household appliances and clothing, needed to start life anew.

Lisa Brancato, Turning Point’s director of development, said what men, women and those with children often need most is clothing because of their desperate circumstances.

“Many times the women who come to us for shelter, they are leaving their situations in the middle of the night … with only the clothes on their backs,” she said.

Those who seek refuge at Turning Point are given vouchers to purchase the necessities for everyday life and career life at their resale shop, Second Hand Rose.

“It’s important they have access to the things they need like clothing — clothing for work and everyday clothing,” Brancato said. “And we count on the community to help us provide these things.”

To keep the shelves stocked, Brancato said, ongoing donations from the public are a must. She said tax-deductable donations of gently used clothing, accessories and home essentials are accepted from individuals, as well as businesses and organizations. She said Turning Point is also aided with monetary donations that go right back into the nonprofit organization.

Brancato said it appears that the need is growing.

“We’ve gotten a lot more traffic from the community shopping for resale — mainly because you get great bargains and because it’s all for a good cause, and there are real treasures there too,” she said.

Women’s and men’s clothing in all sizes are accepted, as are children’s clothing, shoes, outerwear, maternity wear, scrubs, business attire and formal wear.

“We get a lot of people and a lot of businesses donating,” Brancato said. “And a lot of help comes during the (Christmas) holiday, but people should be reminded that the need is there all year.”

She said drives like one now taking place at Jefferson Yacht Club in St. Clair Shores sustain them through the spring and summer.

The JYC’s First Mates are now taking donations of clean, gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing. All sizes are being collected, and donations can be dropped off at the clubhouse located at 24504 Jefferson.

First Mates President Kathy Nucci of St. Clair Shores said donations will be accepted through the end of April 30.

“We started taking donations on Feb. 1, and I have already taken, I would say, over 300 pounds of clothing over there,” Nucci said.

This may be the first clothing drive JYC has hosted, but it’s not their first time assisting Turning Point or aiding a Macomb County-based organization. The latest was at Christmas, when the club collected 800 pounds of canned food for food pantries in Macomb County.

“We raise money to buy things for the club and to help the community; we try to keep everything in the Macomb County area,” Nucci said. 

“This is a very good cause and it benefits a lot of people.”

Brancato said literally hundreds of people will benefit from what the Jefferson Yacht Club, with aid from the community, is doing.

“We’re very grateful for organizations like the Jefferson Yacht Club for reaching out to Turning Point like this,” Brancato said. “I think they show leadership in the community for taking on a worthwhile cause, and we encourage other businesses to do the same.”

For more information about Turning Point or Second Hand Rose, call (586) 463-4430. Second Hand Rose is located at 158 S. Main Street in Mount Clemens. Shopping hours are: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Donations can be made from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Snyder at jsnyder@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1039.