The three stores in the new building raise funds for the family shelter at Open House Ministries, which has been serving Vancouver families in need for nearly 40 years

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

There is Secondhand Solutions.

Inside that thrift shop is The House Coffee Shop.

And across the way is Wheel Deals, a bicycle shop.

Together, they make up Open House Ministries West, just a few steps away from Open House Ministries. 

Right now, it might take an extra few steps, a detour around construction on Jefferson Street.

But please, do not be inconvenienced.

“Let people know we are very much open. Don’t let the construction keep you from enjoying our thrift store, bike shop, and new coffee shop,” said Jean LaCrosse, donor relations officer for Open House Ministries.

The new building featuring all three stores had a ribbon cutting and soft opening in the fall. In January, there was an official grand re-opening. 

Officials at Open House Ministries are grateful for the loyal customer base. There has been a thrift shop for many years. It is in a new location, and, yes, it is not easily accessible right now due to the construction, but the shop is doing well.

It has just about everything: art, furniture, clothes, household items, games, toys, and more.

“This is definitely a gift from God,” said Tina Murphy, the store manager. “We’ve been truly blessed. We have very loyal customers. We have people in here every day, looking for something new. We’re doing well, even with the construction. God’s got us. He’s going to see us through.”

Ang Fosburg, the manager of Wheel Deals, said the bike shop takes donations — any style, any shape, any condition. Workers there will refurbish bikes to sell, and Fosburg says they have the best prices in town for bicycles. Or they use old bikes for parts.

Oh, and every child living in a shelter receives a bicycle for free.

Wheel Deals is also fortunate to have donations from local law enforcement. There was one bike in the shop that was worth close to $10,000, Fosburg said. It was listed in Wheel Deals at $2,200.

“Every single dime goes into the shelter,” she said.

That’s right. The thrift, bike, and coffee shops are all raising funds for the Open House Ministries shelter. The 36-unit family shelter near downtown Vancouver is full, and there is a waiting list, LaCrosse said.

Open House Ministries was established in 1986 when organizers saw a need to help the homeless near Esther Short Park. They raised enough money for a 10-unit shelter. About 10 years into the project, they were able to build a three-story facility, with a full basement. Most units are on the second and third floor, with a pantry, laundry, and a donation center in the basement.  

It is located at 900 W. 12th Street, on the corner of 12th and Jefferson.

On the other side of Jefferson Street is now Open House Ministries West, with the brand new facility for the shops.

“Our whole focus has been to try to help families get back on their feet, to help them get established out there in the community so they can be stable and thrive so they don’t end up back on the street again,” LaCrosse said. “The whole goal is to help folks recover from whatever is making them homeless in the first place … and give them the tools they need.”

Open House Ministries has been accomplishing that mission for decades, with hundreds of families going through the program.

“Open House Ministries is a place where people often hear the gospel of Jesus Christ for the first time,” said Renee Stevens, executive director for Open House Ministries. “Each resident has an opportunity to heal spiritually with help from counseling and our full-time chaplain, Jon Nichols.”

Private donations and sales through the shops are the main ways Open House Ministries pays for the resources to make all of this happen.

LaCrosse said there is a donor base that has been part of this mission for decades.

“They do have a passion to make sure this place continues,” she said. 

The thrift store came about because of the generosity of so many people in the community. At first, Open House Ministries took in donations for the families in the shelter. An abundance of donated items cleared a path for the thrift store, where residents at Open House Ministries receive vocational training. Many of the shelter residents work at the shops.

Donations, by the way, are now being accepted six days a week. Open House Ministries just recently started accepting donations on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Wheel Deals is located at 1204 Jefferson Street and Secondhand Solutions and The House Coffee Shop are right next door. Again, Jefferson Street is under construction, but there is parking nearby.

And everyone is welcome at Open House Ministries.