May 13, 2002
Austin woman clothes customers with hope at her boutique
___By Miranda Bradley
___Texas Baptist Children's Home & Family Services
___AUSTIN--A slight awkwardness saturates the air as Elissa Benford, owner of Lisa's Hope Chest, greets Fe, the newest customer at the upscale boutique.
___Fe isn't a typical customer for such a clothing store. But she is typical of the people Benford assists every week.
___Fe is a client of the Family Care program at Texas Baptist Children's Home & Family Services in Round Rock. And although they've never met, Fe is no stranger to Benford; she sees her in the faces of all women who shop at her store.
___The shopis no bigger than an average living room, yet there's something magical hidden among the racks of upscale skirt-suits and Nine West pumps. It's called dignity--something clients of Lisa's Hope Chest lost several hard knocks back.
ELISSA Benford helps Fe try on a jacket from the collection of gently used clothing at Lisa's Hope Chest in Austin. Benford gives the upscale clothing free to women and men who need to make new starts in life.
___"They come in here with their shoulders slumped and their heads down," Benford explained. "Then, I show them their size, put on some music, and before you know it, their whole attitude changes. They begin to feel good about themselves again."
___Fe has forgotten how to feel much of anything. Since fleeing her abusive husband with her children in tow, she doesn't even know how to feel hungry. The pounds have melted away, leaving a forlorn face on a thin frame.
___"I just keep losing weight," she said as she was directed to still-smaller sizes. "It's been hard to think of myself. I just try to take care of my children."
___Benford knows what Fe and other women like her are going through. In them, she sees herself. More than 12 years ago, she survived a "bad divorce" herself.
___"I couldn't even afford to buy a pair of pantyhose," she recalled. "That has a lot to do with why I do this today."
___After beginning her career as an election specialist for the state of Texas, Benford started an organization where women and men could be treated with respect as they made fresh starts. Her goal was to give them hope.
___"Hope" in the name of her shop is an acronym for Helping Others Progress Economically. And that's just what Benford does every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. after punching out from her paying job and then again on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
___Her store accepts upscale gently worn clothing from professional men and women. She then offers the clothing to men and women who are trying to make new starts.
AFTER all the shopping is done, Elissa Benford gives Fe a hug and tells her no payment will be accepted for the clothing she has selected. "Love is free in this house," she explains.
___Despite a person's circumstances--divorce, welfare, single parenting--Benford believes the clothes make the man or woman. Having the right clothes builds confidence and self-esteem.
___"You can't get that good-paying job if you don't look like you belong there," she said. "I've had many women and men get their first business suit from me, go into the interview without the skills for the job and get hired on the spot. They feel good, and it shows. That's important."
___As Benford guides Fe away from the dark clothing to the cheerful reds and yellows, she compliments her olive complexion and long, black hair. Pretty soon, the sullen face finds a smile.
___"This has been such a blessing," Fe said with awe. "I can't believe God has given me such support. I'm going to call my mom in the Philippines to tell her about this."
___Two years ago, Benford began working with single mothers at the Family Care program of Texas Baptist Children's Home. Since then, she has seen countless women like Fe find a spark that was all but extinguished. And it makes her feel fulfilled.
___"I do this because I feel God has led me to do it, but it still makes me feel great," she said. "There are a lot of angels in here helping me."
___Three hours and two bags of clothing later, Fe and Benford bid each other goodbye. Fe reaches into her purse to pay, but Benford informs her there is no charge. There never is.
___At Lisa's Hope Chest, all the clothes are free. Customers may take one black outfit, three pairs of shoes and as many business suits as they can carry.
___Instead of writing up a sale, Benford takes one last hug, flashes a big smile and says, "Love is free in this house."
___To donate to Lisa's Hope Chest, contact Elissa Benford at (512) 457-0999. For information on Family Care through Texas Baptist Children's Home, contact Debbie Rippstein at (512) 255-3668.
___
Get printer-friendly version of this story
Send this story to a friend
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!/ Signup for FirstLook
