A fire mishap has disrupted operations at Second Chances, a northwest Oklahoma City thrift store that has been aiding the community, particularly those recently released from incarceration and the homeless, for eight years. The incident occurred when a homeless person seeking respite from the cold set a fire, which unintentionally spread to a truck and then the store itself. Delisa Jones, the founder of Second Chances, has displayed resilience, continuing to drive her nonprofit's mission forward. "When you're desperate, you'll try anything,” Jones told News9, "I'm not mad at anybody by any means, but I feel so sad for them that they're trying so hard to stay alive."
The catastrophe, while it took no lives, took its toll on the store's backlog of donations and has since prompted a temporary cessation of the thrift store's main operations to deal with the messy aftermath. But in the face of adversity, the community hub remains steadfast in its commitment to serve. In fact, despite the disaster, the team, managed to ensure that not a single meal was forfeited to those counting on them. According to Jones's statement to OKC FOX, "You know, this is a place that they consistently know is going to be here for them, and we never like to put a hiccup in that."
In the wake of the fire, Second Chances has focused on critical needs, seeking donations to furnish portable propane heaters, tents, and sleeping bags. As winter's chill sets in, such essentials become lifesaving for the city's homeless population. Jones outlined the breadth of Second Chances' services, which include not just meals but clothing, transportation assistance, and support in obtaining vital documents. "Second Chances is a re-entry ministry, so we focus on men and women who are like coming out of prison, homelessness and addiction, just all the things struggling with, mental health, human trafficking, sex trafficking, domestic violence," Jones explained to OKC FOX.
The organization has launched a fundraiser in response to their recent setback, with hopes to not only replace items lost in the fire, but to also provide for the immediate needs of the homeless as temperatures plummet. As Joshua Stone, a man who lives in a tent in the area and relies on the services at Second Chances described his situation to News9, “It's rough, definitely rough. It's almost like life or death because it gets so cold at night.”
Despite her thrift store's infrastructure bearing the brunt of misfortune, Jones looks to the community for support, her faith undeterred. Known not only for its second-hand wares, the store has become a beacon of hope for many. "That's typically loaded to the top with heaters, but it's empty, so we need more," Jones told KOCO.
