Hello from Chicago!

[Thrift Envy]

Hello Everyone,

I'm a newbie from the Chicagoland area.
I'm a college student and a lower level grunt at a local thrift store
called The Brown Elephant. I'm also addicted to
thrifting. It's kind of like being a bar owner who is
also a recovering alcoholic.


The Brown Elephant supports the LGBT community
by funneling it's profits into the Howard Brown
Health Center. Every third Friday we have free in-store
# HIV prevention counseling
#  Anonymous rapid HIV testing (oral swab)
# Confidential Gonorrhea and Chlamydia screening
#  Confidential Syphilis testing.
And free condoms everyday (this sparks interesting conversation in the check out lane)!

It is a great feeling to witness my hard work helping people in need.
And I have so much fun sorting out the treasures.

I'm excited to join your thrifting community and hopefully learn something new from you all.

[valleythriftshopper]

I am confused at how the STD testing goes on in the store- do you mean the store is part or next to the clinic?  Those are great services you offer, but I think I might avoid that store on Fridays if I thought there was STD clinical services going on in the back! 

[Thrift Envy]

Yep. The testing takes place in the store in a private room. They simply take a saliva or blood sample. Nobody is getting naked or anything. Nothing to be afraid of.

The store I work at is in the 'burbs and the clinic is in Chicago proper, so they've started testing in the stores to reach more people in need.

[DianneK]

Hello Thrift Envy,
Welcome to one of the most addicting places.I love thrift store shopping.Its my weakness.
Dianne

[anastasiabeaverhausen]

Hi Im anastasiabeaverhausen, my anonymous thrift store name..hahaha
welcome from the tarheel state
keep up the good work at your store..its ALL a great cause!
Ive thrifted in Chicago in the past...LOTSA stores there!
you'll enjoy this site.....one big happy family here!