Boutique Hours and Location

Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Sundays

Phone: 602.795.0834

4648 N 16th Street • Phoenix, Arizona 85016
Click for Map…

A Volunteer’s Story

By Chris Gonzalez

Seeking sunshine and old friends, I left the rainy Oregon coast behind for the winter and found the perfect ‘snowbird’ job: the Los Niños Synagis Clinic, an affiliate of Hacienda HealthCare. But feeling alone and useless on my days off, I contacted my old buddy, Staci Bishop-Glass about volunteer possibilities with the Children’s Angel Foundation. I was thrilled to learn that her age old dream of opening a thrift shop had become a reality. Perfect!

Now, two months later, my hours at the CAF Thrift and Boutique have proven to be some of my happiest. What makes it such a joyful place? The people and the purpose.

I had coincidentally spent 3 days at Hacienda orientation across the table from the Boutique’s new manager, Louise Jay. It almost seems that Louise has been guided to the Children’s Angel Foundation and this job. She brings valuable retail experience and is a true artist, crafting exquisite one-of-a-kind handbags (and who knows what else) and is an expert at rescuing and re-purposing gently used items. In fact, her home has even been featured on HGTV and local television stations! She has a huge compassionate heart wrapped in a bundle of enthusiasm and integrity. Hugo Polanco is a college student who also works at the shop. He endears himself to those around him with his calm, cheerful attitude and willingness to accomplish any task efficiently. A sprinkling of volunteers provides additional help. More are desperately needed! I have enjoyed being with several dedicated supporters of Hacienda HealthCare who come to spend a few hours sorting and pricing donations.

In the brief time it has been opened the CAF Thrift and Boutique has developed into a very attractive place to shop. Items are grouped into ‘departments’ including books and cards, house wares, clothing, shoes, furniture, children’s items, sporting goods and electronics. Donations are clean, efficiently arranged and artfully displayed. Customers constantly compliment the appearance of the shop.

Processing the many donations can be considered more education and entertainment than work. It is not unusual for giggles to erupt when one of us discovers an exceptionally ‘telling’ item. Let me just say — before you donate anything to anyone — I suggest you go through the pockets and drawers! Often, we are simply overwhelmed that people would give so much of such value. I personally feel deep gratitude for the generosity of so many who make it possible to continue raising funds through this shop, all to help improve the experience of all those served by Hacienda HealthCare. My hours at the CAF Thrift and Boutique are my small way of contributing to the organization I love and a wonderful place to mingle with very special people.

Come on over and see what its all about. Shop! Donate! Volunteer!

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