Though the colors of the room are peaceful, her heart thunders.
She has already been through so much; she barely believes she can call herself a “survivor.” The scars of the past hurt so much she’s afraid they might still destroy her.
She’s been referred to this place, told what to expect, and covered with kindness and words of encouragement. And yet, she’s still afraid.
Loving Women Where They’re At
Can I trust them?
Though the colors of the room are peaceful, her heart thunders.
She has already been through so much; she barely believes she can call herself a “survivor.” The scars of the past hurt so much she’s afraid they might still destroy her.
She’s been referred to this place, told what to expect, and covered with kindness and words of encouragement. And yet, she’s still afraid.
Smiling women surround her, wanting to dress her and do her makeup and hair. This is strange and far from what she knows as ordinary. They’re telling her she’s beautiful, handing her new clothes, and they don’t seem to expect her to give them anything in return. It’s all a gift.
A battle is going on in her head. Can I trust these people? What defines my value? Am I really beautiful?
What are they doing?
Divine Threads, a non-profit founded in 2011 by Kathy Towne, was “birthed out of a desire to follow Jesus’ example of loving the whole person: body, mind and soul.” It provides a kind and loving welcome to the women and girls who come in their doors, seeking to “weave hope into women’s lives through a Christ-centered approach to restoration.” Based in a beautifully renovated farmhouse in Tualatin, they serve disadvantaged women from across the Northwest, many of whom are survivors of sex-trafficking. They offer clothing, makeovers by appointment, job search support, spiritual support, life-skills training, and facilitate “Mending the Soul” small groups.
Divine Threads is committed to partnering with and serving as a resource for other agencies and organizations, such as Door to Grace, House of Engedi, Hope 82 and Union Gospel Mission. During Divine Threads’ first full year of operation in 2013, they helped 25 women and gave away about 400 units of clothing. In 2014, they helped 43 women and gave away almost 900 units of clothing.
What is a make-over event?
Tanya Kimmer, a CAbi Fashion Consultant, helps women find the beauty in their natural shape. Tanya’s voice trembles with emotion as she shares about the women Divine Threads has served. They come from a variety of backgrounds: a single mom who lost everything in a fire; a woman who shed 80 pounds in prison and whose new start on life needed to begin with clothes that fit her; women who battle addictions; and teenage victims of sex-trafficking who need clothes for school.
The common thread they all share is that they come to Divine Threads frightened and uncertain. Tanya explains, “Even though I try to set expectations and let them know ahead of time what a ‘makeover’ looks like, they are still scared. It’s the unknown and trusting someone whom they don’t know. We even let them know they can bring someone with them who is an encouragement to them, such as a friend or support person.”
During a makeover, which may last two to three hours, clients are paired with three professional stylists; one for hair, one for makeup and another for clothes. These experts offer tips on makeup application and skincare and also provide advice on clothing selection that will complement their body shape. Clients will be given 15 to 20 clothing items, which may include accessories and shoes, as well as makeup and beauty care products. The stylists try to create a wardrobe that will mix and match to yield a number of different outfits.
Many of the women have never seen anything like this. Many have never been taught how to apply makeup or choose clothing. They may feel unkempt and unworthy. The tapestry of their lives feels like a tangle of snarled and broken thread, and they have no idea what to expect from this experience. Will it hurt them deeper and twist the knots tighter?
The mentors at Divine Threads seek to provide a safe place – a rock – and love women where they’re at. This is not a light or easy commitment. Ministering to sex-trafficking victims is especially hard. One young woman who came to Divine Threads had been gang-raped and prostituted. She’s now participating in “Mending the Soul,” a recovery program for victims of abuse. But sometimes survivors hit a wall and spiral down. At Divine Threads, they know they can’t just rely on good books and programs because, sadly, not all survivors find healing. They were grieved last year when a sex-trafficking victim committed suicide.
On a staircase in the farmhouse, they have ten core values written on the steps: For leadership — Grace, Sacrificial Love, Humility; for the women they serve — Hope, Restoration, Preparation, Discipleship; and for the Church — Commitment, Respect, Support.
The steps to healing and growth may begin, literally, with walking up those farmhouse steps. It may be the strange new experience of a makeover that awakens hope in a woman’s heart.
How do clients respond?
One of the things Tanya describes teaching clients is “how easy it is to zero in on things we don’t like about our bodies but, in reality, when people look at us they don’t see what we see. They see the ‘whole’ person…from head to toe. The outfits we put together hopefully help flatter what is truly beautiful about each woman so they can FEEL beautiful and confident. Our hope is that they will come away feeling valued, important, loved, pampered and beautiful.”
They long to see women living Proverbs 31:25 NIV—“clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
“Even though they come in uncertain and fearful of the unknown,” Tanya explains, “they are overwhelmed by the experience and the vast majority express – sometimes with tears of gratitude – how thankful they are for the opportunity.”
And clients express this thanks by saying things like: I feel like a woman. I don’t recognize me. I feel like a princess.
At Divine Threads, they want to be a part of the Master Weaver’s plan of untangling the brokenness in women’s lives, giving them beauty in exchange for ashes, and offering garments of praise in exchange for heavy spirits (Isaiah 61:3). Joy and delight become the new common threads they share.
How can I help?
Ways to help Divine Threads include donating new and gently-used clothing, giving money and working as a volunteer. They have a constant need for plus size women’s clothes (size 16 to 5X) that are like-new, clean and stylish. Currently, they need volunteers who are professional hair and makeup stylists. Other volunteer opportunities involve selecting appropriate clothing, sorting and cleaning clothes, helping with job-searches, and mentoring a small group. “Makeover and Sort” volunteers are asked to commit to at least one to two times a month and are welcome to sign up for more. Helping with job-searches and overseeing “Mending the Soul” groups require a different level of commitment and training.
Divine Threads’ website presents more of their story and provides their contact information. An additional story, “Scattered Seeds” is also available on the Abolition Now website.
