The Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Madison broke ground on an expanded thrift store and community programming building project on Monday.
St. Vincent de Paul — Madison plans to demolish and reconstruct the Baldwin Street side of the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in the Williamson-Baldwin Neighborhood and extend current retail space, according to a press release. The Williamson Street side of the thrift store will remain open throughout construction.
“The expansion of our iconic St. Vinny’s Thrift Store on Williamson Street is an exciting opportunity for our loyal thrift shoppers,” Brooke Trick, Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Madison Senior Director of Retail Operations, said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to honoring this traditional shopping district while providing a modern thrift and goods donation experience.”
On the Baldwin-Williamson Street corner of the property, St. Vincent de Paul — Madison will build a second floor to accommodate the new St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Program. The Seton Program provides wrap-around, flexible, individualized support to single parents with minor children who have been homeless or living in precarious doubled-up situations. The goal is to stabilize them in permanent housing, avoid a recurrence of homelessness, and the adverse effects on their physical and emotional well-being, the organization said in a press release.
“The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Program will help stabilize vulnerable families so they can thrive,” Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison, CEO & Executive Director Julie Bennett said in a statement. “The new program space will be a central hub for families where staff and volunteers will help them address challenges such as employment, childcare, health care, parenting skills, financial literacy and mental health.”
he plans incorporate architectural details that capture the look and feel of the iconic district. Background, current plans and Frequently Asked Questions about the construction project are available at https://svdpmadison.org/baldwin-street-project.
In 1941, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison purchased and opened their first thrift store in the Baldwin Street storefront to generate funds to serve local neighbors struggling with poverty. Proceeds from the current seven thrift stores throughout Dane County provide more than $3 million in goods and services to neighbors in need, the organization said.
