MONROE — The Green County Sexual Assault Recovery Program (SARP) supports the community through advocacy, education — and a thrift store with a purpose. 

The SARP Re-Sell/Thrift store, called RE, benefits both clients of SARP and the greater Green County community by giving back to those in need.

“RE” is a key part of three words — restore, recover and revive — that are central to both the concept of thrifting and to SARP’s mission. 

According to Green County SARP Prevention and Volunteer Coordinator Advocate Krista Bethke, RE has served at least 20 SARP clients by offering free items. When Bethke joined SARP in 2019, the Green County office was in need of more space. In collaboration with Stephani King, owner of Edelweiss Gifts, the two partnered in 2019 to open a thrift shop benefiting the community. 

The consignment shop sells clothes, books and other miscellaneous items at affordable prices, with proceeds benefiting SARP. 

“Stephani owns the business and SARP rents my office space from her,” said Bethke. Profits from the shop help to keep it open and leftover funds are donated to SARP for use in “direct services.”

Bethke trains volunteers for the shop. “The shop benefits SARP in so many ways,” she said. “We get increased awareness, the ability to utilize donations to help clients in need and a way for us to connect with the community.”

Though the shop was forced to close during the pandemic, it continued to serve clients in Green County. RE has since reopened at 1020 17th Ave in Monroe. 

The shop also benefits the greater community through efforts including donated prom dresses for youth who may not otherwise be able to attend the milestone dance, and donating scrubs to Blackhawk Technical College nursing students. RE also acts as a “life skill agent” for client practice. The organization has also donated to Green Haven, the Pregnancy Center of Green County and the Defy Domestic Violence shelter in Rock County, among other local groups.

RE also partnered with Green County Human Services to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic during the pandemic and to serve as a community pick-up location for free COVID-19 tests.

Bethke said they are working to partner with DVR, Forward Wisconsin, CST wraparound services and the Monroe School District to allow those agencies to teach clients life skills while keeping the shop open. 

With her extensive experience working with volunteers and community education, Bethke gives SARP presentations throughout the community on topics ranging from bystander intervention and healthy relationships to trafficking in local communities.

“My role with SARP consists of going into the community to talk about these difficult issues and educate everyone from youth to adults to prevent sexual victimization of individuals,” said Bethke.

She also works with Green County schools in a variety of ways, such as by providing basic hygiene and menstrual products. 

Volunteers are crucial to RE, said Bethke, assisting with everything from event coordination to community crisis response through the telephone hotline. The SARP hotline is open 24/7, staffed with a trained advocate or volunteer advocate who will assist and advocate for the individual in crisis.

Hattie Stuessy loves her job as a rural outreach coordinator with SARP. 

“It is such a privilege to work with people and help them overcome obstacles and help them to be the best version of themselves,” said Stuessy. “SARP fills a need that isn’t necessarily being filled by anyone else in Green County.”

In addition to a number of volunteer opportunities, SARP is currently looking for a volunteer to deliver textiles to Brodhead schools on a regular basis, in order to be recycled.  Anyone interested in helping RE or SARP can contact Krista Bethke at 608-561-8718. Donations can also be dropped off whenever the doors are open. More information on donations can be found on RE’s Facebook page at facebook.com/REnewREcoverREvive.

If you are in need of SARP’s confidential services — including legal advocacy, transportation, free therapy services and more — reach out to Green County SARP. If you are in crisis, call the 24/7 SARP hotline at 866-666-4576.