By Karen McBride
Published in the Dunndeal Gazettes April, 2023
Bay Hope Church had a vision to create a boutique for underprivileged girls to provide them with essentials such as clothing, jewelry, makeup, and other toiletries. As part of their At-Risk Kids Ministry, Beautiful Beginnings Boutique opened last year and hosts over 100 girls per week.
The ministry works with teenage girls who are in the juvenile justice and foster care programs. The volunteers at Beautiful Beginnings Boutique teach the girls their confidence is found in God because He loves them unconditionally, while providing them with necessities.
“It is all about the unconditional radical love of Jesus. These girls have been abused, abandoned, and trafficked, and we just want to show them the love of Jesus”, said Cheryl Jackson, Senior Director of At-Risk Kids Ministry. “Through the ministry, we want them to understand their value and their worth.”
The girls are invited to attend a youth group on Sunday afternoons and are treated to a shopping day in the quaint boutique, which resembles a quality specialty store.
The shop is a labor of love for the Boutique Coordinator, Danyelle Schaer. “Walking through the hard, being able to love on these vulnerable girls, and meeting their tangible needs is such a blessing.”
The boutique has given over 6000 items to girls in need in the past year. Gently used clothing, new makeup, and toiletries are needed to keep the boutique stocked. Donations can be dropped off at Bay Hope Church, 17030 Lakeshore Road, Lutz, FL 33558 in Portable D. See the full Amazon wish list here:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1AXTEYA7NGTT4/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex.
For more information, go to https://www.bayhope.church/beautiful-beginnings-boutique.