RECYCLED FASHIONS.
RENEWED LIVES.

THE STORY
Facing a pile of unusable donated clothing, torn and stained, Vincentian Sally Rosen began to think of recycling, imagining how these discarded garments could be remade into something new and useful. Her thoughts were familiar, for every day, the St. Vincent de Paul Society touches the lives of a thousand poor men and women who too often have been treated like worn out clothes, cast aside and considered unnecessary. Treating them with dignity and respect, working with them one-on-one, letting them know they are valued, we help them begin to transform their lives no matter where they stand in their life’s journey.

If care and attention can so change the lives of our fragile brothers and sisters, she thought, then, too, could the scrap pile be turned into something of value. Sally invited designers to take the discarded clothing and create wearable works of art and exquisite home decor to be auctioned to raise funds to help the poor and homeless in an event called Discarded To Divine.

Since its origin in 2005, Discarded To Divine has helped rebuild the lives of men and women through both direct service and increased public awareness. With help from designers and visionary volunteers, Discarded To Divine has become more than a fundraiser–it is now a movement that embraces charity and sustainability to restore the lives of those around us. Volunteers and staff themselves changed by this transformation, touched by people grateful for the simple things we take for granted—a hot meal, clean clothes, a safe place to sleep. Discarded To Divine is about renewing the lives of both the less-fortunate and those helping them.

This year’s event supports our work with the poor and with the thousands of women and their children who suffer from domestic violence. Nearly one in four women in the United States will experience some form of domestic violence during their lives. The St. Vincent de Paul Society operates the largest continuum of domestic violence shelters and services in San Francisco, with more than half of all domestic violence beds in the City. We serve clients who other agencies can not help, including undocumented women who do not even know they are protected by federal law. These women strive only for self-sufficiency and safety. Help us help these women and children attain a room of their own, furnishing their renewed lives with your gifts.

Join us in continuing this movement into the next decade. The future of battered women and children, the homeless and the impoverished depends upon our commitment to supporting each other and embracing the vision of hope and renewal in us all.