Goodness Weekly 6.1.26
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."
—Aesop
WHAT’S GOOD
🎨 Flower Power: Watercolor Wellness Workshop June 27
Let your creativity bloom! Join artist Suzan Browning on Saturday, June 27th from 11 AM - 1 PM upstairs in the Art Room at Sunset Ridge Collective for a therapeutic watercolor workshop exploring the beauty of painting flowers through simple, accessible techniques. Supplies are included, the workshop is just $15, and space is limited to 8 participants—so don't wait to grab your spot! Register here.
The Clothes That Find Us
Che Ortiz, Program Manager, One Another Coffee
What's your favorite article of clothing?
You know the cozy sweater, the special dress, or the pair of pants that always make you feel great when you wear them. When I'm asked that question, a whole array of items flies through my mind, and it's incredibly hard to choose. Every piece carries a memory.
As a secondhand shopper, I love resale shops, thrift stores, yard sales, and even receiving clothing from friends and family that they no longer need. That's what makes it all so special. When I think about my favorite pieces, I think about how I received them, where they came from, who gave them to me, and how I feel when I wear them. I think about how unique they are and how such a treasure ended up in my hands.
I've always been a sustainable shopper, not because I'm especially money-conscious, but because I love expressing myself through various types of clothing. There's a lot of thought and creativity that goes into pairing curated items together and discovering how they make me feel. I get asked all the time where I find inspiration or how I know what looks good together. Honestly, inspiration comes from everywhere and all around me. I love drawing ideas from different cultures and from media like films, music, and art. Even socially, I gravitate toward people who also express themselves through fashion. I always admire their creativity while secretly taking notes.
My biggest advice for anyone wanting to express themselves more through clothing is simple: comfort matters. Not just physical comfort, but emotional comfort, too. Everyone deserves to feel like themselves in what they wear.
This past weekend, we hosted the fourth Nuevos Vecinos ("Our New Neighbors") Thrift Pop-Up at Sunset Ridge. It's a community-based event where clothing that has been donated in abundance and more than the organization can use is passed along to me. I then sift through and curate a collection to sell at our pop-up events. Every dollar raised goes directly back to Nuevos Vecinos to support immigrant families here in San Antonio.
Recently, we've been blessed with more local clothing donations and volunteer support, helping us grow the event and raise double the funds for Nuevos Vecinos. It's the perfect example of a sustainable cycle. Clothing that might otherwise sit untouched, collecting dust, finds new life with excited customers who are eager to wear it, while the proceeds help families in need.
Hospitality and acts of service are my love language, so this work is especially meaningful to me. Nothing warms my heart more than hearing someone say, "The dress I bought from you at the last event is now one of my favorite things to wear." I love looking through the racks and spotting items that my friends, sisters, or even I once donated, then watching them find new homes and bring joy to someone else. It's amazing, and it's what keeps me going.
Growing up, I always dreamed of working in fashion and marketing. I also dreamed of owning my own café and business. To be able to creatively serve others while helping those in need is more rewarding than I ever imagined. It's been such a privilege to do that through both One Another Coffee and the Nuevos Vecinos Thrift Pop-Up.
A big thank you to everyone who donated clothing, to all of the volunteers who spent hours sorting through overflowing bags, to the teens who helped carry heavy boxes down the stairs on Wednesday, and to everyone who came out to support the event and purchase items. None of this would be possible without you.
This week, I encourage you to wear your favorite article of clothing and take a moment to reflect on what makes it so special. Maybe it's the memory attached to it, the person who gave it to you, or simply the confidence and comfort it brings. Whatever it is, treasure it.
Coming Up…
Daily, NYX Yoga & Fitness
Daily, One Another Coffee
Wednesdays, Mission Compost Pick Up
Thursdays-Sundays, Scott’s Pizza, Charis Park
Saturdays, 9 AM - 1 PM, Sunset Ridge Farmers Market, Charis Park
Sundays, Worship at Sunset Ridge Church
Friday, June 19, Juneteenth, Office Closed
Saturday, June 27, 11 AM - 1 PM, Flower Power Watercolor Wellness Workshop, The Art Room | Cost: $15, Supplies Included, Limited to 8 participants
Friday, July 3, Office Closed in Observance of Independence Day
July 7 - 10, 9 AM - 12 PM, Vacation Bible School, Kinder - 5th, Sunset Ridge Church
Event Rentals - Interested in hosting your event at Charis Park or in our facilities? Please email rentals@sunset-ridge.org
Community Partners: For updated schedules and events please follow One Another Coffee, Sunset Ridge Farmers Market, NYX Wellness, Scott’s Pizza, Mission Compost, Sprouts School, Good Acres, and Community First Food Pantry.
Inhale: May I receive with gratitude.
Exhale: May I give with grace.
