Sarah’s Journey: Creating Change with Fabrick Collective
Meet Sarah, a long-time supporter of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, whose passion for social justice and community well-being led her to create something extraordinary.
With a background in Criminology and Prison Studies, Sarah’s journey with E Fry Ottawa began as a Board Member, but her dedication to the cause took on a new dimension in March 2021 during the pandemic lockdown.
At that time, Sarah, then a stay-at-home mom, found herself surrounded by her children’s outgrown clothes. This sparked an idea: to establish a social enterprise that would simultaneously simplify shopping for secondhand kids’ clothing and generate a sustainable and flexible source of revenue for E Fry Ottawa. And that’s how Fabrick Collective was born.
The enterprise turns outgrown kids’ clothes into cash, with seven percent of sales going directly to E Fry Ottawa. These funds help meet the needs of the women and gender-diverse people we serve, empowering them to build stability and work toward a brighter future.
Fabrick Collective also provides gift cards to E Fry Ottawa clients, giving them the opportunity to shop for their children’s needs directly, further reinforcing the enterprise’s dedication to supporting the community.
Fabrick Collective is deeply rooted in the downtown Ottawa community, ensuring that the benefits of its work stay local. Sarah emphasizes the importance of this reciprocal relationship, where contributions from the community are transformed into meaningful support that stays within the community. The enterprise also champions the circular economy, reducing reliance on fast fashion and its environmental toll.
After operating exclusively online for three years, Sarah opened a physical location in May 2024 at 70b Beech Street, offering a welcoming, family-friendly space for customers.
Sarah believes that every small action can create significant change – a sentiment that aligns perfectly with E Fry Ottawa’s motto: “Change…one step at a time”. This philosophy is embodied in the success of Fabrick Collective, where every step, from a single donated item to each purchase, contributes to meaningful progress.
To date, the enterprise has raised over $27,000 for E Fry Ottawa’s programs, demonstrating the power of collective effort and community-driven initiatives.
Sarah credits this success to the unwavering support of her family, friends, and the Ottawa community, showing that meaningful change is truly achieved through consistent, collective effort and small acts of kindness over time.
Visit Fabrick Collective at their Beech Street location or explore their online shop to support a mission that uplifts women, families, and the environment – one thoughtful purchase at a time.
Address: 70b Beech St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3J3
Hours:
- Tues-Thurs: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Fri: 12 PM – 5 PM
- Sat: 11 AM – 5 PM
- Sun, Mon: Closed
For shopping, donations, and more information, please visit Fabrick Collective’s website: https://www.fabrickcollective.ca/