Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Pearson.
Angela, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m Angela Pearson, the director of Bridal Boutique by New Name. New Name is a faith-based outreach to women in the Chicagoland area who have been sexually exploited and trafficked.
Around 25,000 women and girls are sexually exploited and trafficked in the Chicagoland area every year. The reality is that sex trafficking is not just overseas but it’s right here. Until people really start believing this, these girls will remain faceless and nothing will change.
While there are many organizations among us that work to benefit sexually exploited women, the focus of New Name is to reach out directly to these women, to show them love, hope and presence.
New Name was founded in July of 2009 and has grown to 15 chapters that each month collectively reaches out to over 60 venues and make calls to over 100 women advertised online. We also teach about the dangers of sex trafficking and prostitution to at risk and incarcerated young women and men, and raise awareness within our communities about the dangers of sex trafficking.
Because of the impact we’ve made with this direct approach, our organization was recognized in June by Senator McConnaughay as a “Human Trafficking Hero”. She stated… “The fact that New Name makes calls to the women who are advertised online is an interesting strategy. It’s that kind of innovative thinking we need to combat sex trafficking throughout our states, and if making just one call to one of these women can help, then New Name had succeeded.”
We believe that if making just one call to one of these women can help, then we have succeeded. There has definitely been more than just one call to one of these women.
New Name has no paid staff and steers away from fundraising so as to not take funds away from other programs. In order to have the funds to provide resources for these women, New Name has launched our Bridal Boutique. We are a fully volunteer-run boutique that offers all donated gently used and new bridal dresses and accessories. Because of this, 100% of the funds generated go directly towards benefiting trafficked and exploited women.
As a volunteer myself for one of the New Name chapters, and because of my passion for this outreach and past retail buying experience, I was approached by our executive director, Anne Polencheck, to help start the Bridal Boutique. We have been blessed by many past brides who share our passion for this cause and so have donated their wedding dress, instead of having it sitting in a closet for years. We have also been blessed with many new donated sample dresses.
Our boutique offers a very different experience than a traditional bridal boutique. We are by appointment only and typically take only one appointment at a time, so the bride shopping gets the boutique to herself and we do not restrict her time or amount of dresses she can try on. Our dresses are 50-80% off retail and we presently have over 250 dresses of various styles and sizes. We love the brides who shop with us and feel blessed to have them. We want to provide them with a fun and enjoyable experience.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We are run by volunteers and all our dresses and accessories are donated so it can be challenging. We are always looking for volunteers and for current style dress and accessory donations.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
New Name’s Bridal Boutique generates funds to benefit exploited and trafficked women. Donated gowns in good condition and of current style are offered for sale to new brides seeking the perfect dress for their special day.
Our wedding gowns are sold at very reasonable prices and therefore bless both new brides and those women New Name reaches out to with dignity. Because we are fully volunteer-run and our boutique is a beautiful donated space with all items we sell also donated, 100% of our proceeds go to our cause.
New Name also has no paid staff. Proceeds benefit New Name and other local organizations assisting exploited and trafficked women. We invite women to stand with us as the bride of Christ to help show hurting women Jesus’ love.
What were you like growing up?
I was raised as a Christian in a very loving and giving family. My parents always taught me to give grace and love to others. I have been truly blessed and I want to bless others. Having a career in fashion retailing made running the boutique a natural fit for me. I am able to use my gifts and passion for this cause.
Pricing:
- Our wedding dresses are 50-80% off of retail price. Our prices range from $150-$850 with the average price being around $400.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.new-name.org/bridal-boutique
- Phone: 872-256-4660
- Email: bridalboutiquebynewname@gmail.com
- Instagram: new name bridal boutique
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/newnamebridalboutique
We are doing some spring cleaning and having a bridal dress sale. all wedding gowns will be $150 at the sale. We also doing a dress drive and giving past brides the opportunity to share in our ministry by donating their dress or bridal accessory. They can bring their donation to the painted The Door Church in Chicago on May 5 or contact us at bridalboutiquebynewname@gmail.com to arrange for a different time. All donators will be provided with a donation tax receipt.
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
