Позитивные изменения. Том 1, №1 (2021). Positive changes. Volume 1, Issue 1 (2021)

We are one of the first projects of this kind in Russia. The project operation scheme is simple: people donate items to the «Closet» that they don’t need for whatever reason, but which are in good condition. About 15–20 % of the items donated stay in the store and are sold at minimal prices, and then the net profit from the sales is spent on charity. The remaining 80 % of items are sent to the «Cradle» Help Center, where they are distributed at no cost to the people in need. "The Closet" works with craftsmen from all over Russia, selling their handmade products, as well as establishing a creative platform for workshops on the basis of the store. The project team is also involved in the social life of the city, we often participate in municipal events and even organize our own. Over its existence, "The Closet" has become for the citizens not only a store, but a relaxing place for their souls.

Scope of Activity: Other

Region: Irkutsk Region

Year of Foundation: 2016

Company Founder: Olga Amosova (Mastermind, Director)

Target Audience: Elderly people, Parents with children, Rural citizens, Socially vulnerable citizens, Orphaned children, Foster families, Youths, Students, Working students, Homeless people, Adults 30–60 years old, Single parent families, Other

Impact Assessment Methods: Subjective Assessment of Project Development in the Current Year: Improvement

Address: Irkutsk Oblast, Bratsk, Pionerskaya street, 5a

Telephone: +7(950)095–85–46

E-mail: 38kladovka@mail.ru

PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED

The work with the resource of unneeded things provides an opportunity to get clothing for those in need of help, for donators — not to discard clothing that can still be used, and for buyers — to save money. While a site for creativity in the town positively influences the citizens' leisure culture.

SOLUTIONS USED

Acceptance of used clothes from Bratsk citizens, sending up to 90 % of clothes to Cradle crisis center to be gratuitously handed out, sale of 10 % of clothes in a shop and usage of net profit for charity.

ACHIEVEMENTS, AWARDS

The Closet works for 4 year account for 1,199,273 rubles sent for charity, over 500 persons received clothing support in Home assistance center which functioned at the cost of Closet charity shop, about 80 tons of clothing received the second life. In 2018, we established Place pottery where we arrange master classes for distressed families and those who help people in hardship.

In 2019, we started cooperation with Cradle crisis center and, as of today, we have sent over 24000 kgs of clothes supplied to the shop for giveaway; we arranged gathering and sent over 4 tons of humanitarian aid for people and animals affected by a flood in Nizhneudinsk, Tulun and Chuna districts.

The Closet charity shop became the winner of the regional stage of the Best Social Project of the Year contest in the category the Best Project of Social Entrepreneurship in Social Service. Olga Amosova, the project founder, has received the winner's certificate from the hands of Igor Kobzev, the Governor of Irkutsk Oblast, in the framework of Baikal. Business Forum.

RAISED RESOURCES IN ONE YEAR

1. Material: equipment and repair of a shop.

2. Time resource: work of all team members, volunteers.

3. Human resource: involvement of photographers, stylists, experts, administrators of social media.

4. Information resource: distribution of information via social media, TV with the purpose to involve participants and partners.