News Release – August 23, 2023
Newton, Iowa– The Well has announced it will be opening an upscale donation-based retail thrift store in Newton, Iowa, planning to take donations beginning October 17, with the retail store opening in early November. The Well Thrift Store will be located at 1810 1st Ave. E., easily accessible along the primary east/west corridor in the community.
The new store will offer the public a clean, organized, department-style shopping experience and will carry new and gently used goods that have been donated, such as clothing, housewares, décor, books, and garage-type wares. The Well Thrift Store will also provide an outlet for recycling clothing and textiles that would otherwise end up discarded, and in turn provide work for Well Works, a job training program offered by The Well. They will begin accepting donations sometime in late September at the store location.
The Well Thrift Store’s impact goes beyond having clutter-free closets and reduced landfill waste, as proceeds will benefit the ministry goals of The Well – helping to transform the lives of those who are struggling in poverty in central and south-central Iowa. “We are excited to bring additional retail options to the Newton area, as we know “thrifters” love to make a day out of destination shopping in a community. This new store and support from Newton and the surrounding communities will help build the foundation of being able to bring more of The Well services to this region,” said Jayson Henry, CEO of The Well. The Well Thrift Store provides an important and tangible bridge that connects the community directly to those goals. People can participate by donating goods, volunteering, shopping, and spreading awareness of The Well. Various volunteer roles are available for people to plug in at the store according to their interests, skills, and schedule, with no minimum requirement of time.
For more information about volunteering, go to thewelliowa.org/volunteer to learn about opportunities, to apply, and to get connected.
About The Well
The Well is a 501(c)3 organization partnering with people from local churches, non-profits, businesses, agencies, and foundations interested in more effectively ministering to those in need. The Well currently runs Well Resource Centers, Programming, Well Works, and Well Thrift Stores with locations in Pella, Knoxville, Fairfield, and Des Moines. These communities have desired better outcomes for those in need but are unsure of the best ways of helping those struggling to overcome their circumstances and find long term stability. The Well uses a holistic approach to understanding a person’s situation, addresses the root causes of why one may be struggling, and helps them to build up their necessary resources to reach long-term stability. This can only happen through collaboration across numerous local organizations within the region.
“Our goal is not to duplicate existing resources in the community. But we do already have Newton and other Jasper County residents that have sought services through our Well Resource Center and programming in Pella because of the unique nature in which we help people pursue transformation,” shared Henry. “By developing strong partnerships with the existing resources in Newton and Jasper County, The Well can be a central hub for clients to receive the coaching and guidance in which to navigate those resources and develop personalized goals and plans to ultimately break some of the dependencies that are holding people back.”
This unique approach to guiding and supporting people on a path to transformation is one receiving recognition across the state of Iowa, and beyond. The Iowa governor, state and local representatives, and other organizations from varying sectors have made visits to The Well to better understand this approach and have expressed interest in further opportunities for continued learning and collaboration.