Today is my last day working as a sales associate at the Family & Children’s Service Thrift Boutique. I have loved working here and am sad to leave, but I am also happy to finally begin a new phase in my career as a social worker.

Yesterday, July 4th, Independence Day, I officially completed my degree in psychology. The day is very significant to me because my degree now gives me the independence to pursue my ultimate goal to work as a professional counselor. It has taken me some time to get here. I started college 27 years ago, as a student in Azerbaijan, but was forced to abandon my schooling and flee to Moscow when civil war broke out. My family and I lived as refugees in our own country for four years until we were able to obtain sponsors and come to the United States as refugees. In 1998, I became a naturalized US citizen. It has been a long, sometimes difficult journey, across several continents, and through many challenges, but it has been worth it.

Working at the Thrift Boutique has been a wonderful experience. Everyday is like Christmas! There is always something new in the shop. You never know what someone is going to donate. Everything is one of a kind and all of it is interesting. You never get bored. It always amazes me how generous people can be, donating their new, never-worn items to benefit someone they don’t even know.

And of course, I just love the people! I know most of our regular customers by name. Many of them tell me they come here for their therapy. It makes me happy to know I can help them in some way. It’s also very humbling for me to serve the clients who are referred to our Thrift Boutique because they are in need. It takes me back to when I first came to this country. My then-husband, son and I arrived with just two suitcases. Nothing more! We spoke not a word of English. The congregants of St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Brick Township, our sponsors, took us in, housed us, gave us food to eat, clothes to wear, tables and chairs to sit on, even jobs! There was nothing they did not give us. Their generosity and kindness was so overwhelming, it still brings tears to my eyes. This is why, when a client comes in with a letter saying they are in need, I understand. I have been there.

Many of us face challenging times in our lives. The mission of Family & Children’s Service is to help support people during challenging times by providing compassionate care, intervention and education. The Thrift Boutique is an important part of that mission.

I will miss being a part of the store, but I will be back to share the experience of this place with my new clients and their families. The Thrift Boutique is a warm and welcoming space, and I know I will always be welcome here.

— Louisa Timofeyev-McLoughlin is sales associate at the FCS Thrift Boutique and soon-to-be graduate of Liberty University. She will be leaving FCS to begin her new role as a social worker for disabled adults at the ARC of Ocean. We wish her much success!