New Hespeler shop serves the community in more ways than one

A little kindness can go a long way.

It’s a sentiment Denise Baker has learned to appreciate over the course of her life.

Baker has had professional success climbing the corporate ladder in advertising and marketing, been self-employed and travelled the world, but nothing has brought her as much joy as giving back to the community she calls home.

She believes so strongly in kindness that it’s part of the name of her new shop, Kindness in the Village located in the heart of Hespeler.

The shop is no regular retail outlet, it’s a not-for-profit second hand clothing store that sees proceeds donated to community groups that support marginalized youth. One of her first choices is Argus House, which provides 24/7 homelessness prevention and shelter diversion services to youth in crisis anywhere in Waterloo region.

“My whole life I’ve volunteered,” Baker said.

“My dad died at 26 and after he died I started volunteering because that’s what he always said to me, you don’t have to have money you can give your time to people. If you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back and food in your belly, you're rich.”

Not oblivious to the issues in the city around homelessness and drug use, Baker feels that by helping youth, the cycle has a better chance to be broken.

“I lost my dad and if I didn't have a solid foundation or people that were kind to me, I could've easily gone the other way,” she said.

“I think it’s very important to give youth something to hope for. I think if you help earlier, later it’s not a massive problem. When you're 40 or 50 it’s harder to get help.”

Baker quit her corporate job after hitting the ceiling of her position and has been self-employed for 35 years. As a jazz singer on the side she’s travelled to Europe and put out three CDs.

It was never about the money, but rather about being happy, forming relationships and spreading joy to those around her.

While volunteering at Worth a Second Look in Kitchener years ago, which sells second-hand items in support of the soup kitchen, her passion for giving back took off.

“It was a part of my life when I was having a hard time,” Baker said.

“I felt so good there. Helping with the cause, it’s a matter of service. Service is a good thing for people. I did so well and formed good relationships with the other volunteers that they hired me as store manager to manage 40 volunteers.”

She credits the people at the organization for giving her perspective, so much so that she felt compelled to open her own not-for-profit.

After a two years of behind the scenes work and number crunching, she came across the storefront at 11 Queen St E. With the support of her friends, she took the leap to open.

“I walked in and I knew this was it,” she said.

“All my friends came and helped here, we were working 10 hours a day getting the place ready. A lot of steaming and ironing went on.”

People walking by shouldn’t be surprised to see Baker out on the sidewalk stirring up conversations and bringing people into her new store, all in the name of a good cause.

“I might be standing at the door dragging you in,” she said with a laugh.

“I see people walking by so I walk up to the front door and say hi and start telling them about it. Then they start telling people and word of mouth is the best advertising.”