Special Shopping Night in Belmont Kicks Off Summer-long “Give-Back” to Benefit Cambridge Day Program for Homeless Women

The owner of Revolve, an upscale consignment boutique with locations in Belmont, Lexington and Winchester, will be launching a new project Thursday, June 19 that will benefit area shoppers as well as On The Rise, a Cambridge-based non-profit that offers homeless women a day program. 

“It’s a new way of giving back, of helping a specific organization with a cash donation,” said Lisa Castagno, owner of Revolve, explaining the project that kicks-off with a special shopping night at 6 p.m. Thursday in her Cushing Square store on Common Street in Belmont. 

In the past, Ms. Castagno has donated bags of unsold merchandise to area charities.

Her new project will have her selling these items at a discount with the proceeds to benefit the non-profit of her choice. To that end, Ms. Castagno has installed “give-back” racks in the Cushing Square store; marked from $2 to $20, none higher. Proceeds from those sales starting Thursday and continuing through August, will benefit On The Rise.

Martha Sandler, executive director of On The Rise said the organization has a long relationship with Ms. Castagno. This shopping night will be the third to benefit the organization.

“She is so generous, this project will be so positive for us,” Ms. Sandler said. “And we welcome the efforts of Ms. Thomajan and hope she will become a long-standing friend of On The Rise.”

Neighbor Westcott Mercantile, 438 Common Street, plans to join in with a “one-night only” shopping night Thursday with special hours, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“We’re donating 10 percent of our proceeds to On The Rise,” said Mary Westcott Thomajan, owner of the general store that specializes in giftware, home goods and rarities. “I just learned about the organization and I am so impressed by the work they do; I am happy to help.”

On The Rise, located at 341 Broadway in Cambridge, offers homeless women a place to find a nutritious home-cooked meal, take a hot shower or just a safe place to spend the day. The trained staff helps the women access social services, while also advocating for them to resolve many of the issues relating to their homelessness.

“We’re all about building and sustaining a community for women who don’t have, or have lost, their network of friends and relatives,” Ms. Sandler said. “We build relationships over time with the women who come to On The Rise, and once trust has been established, we can help them address the more complex issues and challenges -- from a history of abuse and trauma to addiction and major physical and mental health concerns -- that underlie their homelessness.”

Ms. Castagno has always found a way to contribute to a cause. But she found she wanted more control over which organizations would benefit from her donations. Specifically she wanted On The Rise to benefit.

 "I love the organization; I love that it is empowering women who have become marginalized and need extra attention to find their way back to more traditional ways of living,” Ms. Castagno said. “I look forward to writing them a big check soon.”

 The Revolve stores feature high-end merchandise without the sky-high price tag; and with bright paintings, mood music and attentive sales staff, it promises a pampered boutique experience for shoppers.

 “The whole idea is that women can have a fabulous shopping experience and find the perfect piece of clothing or accessory without having to break the bank to buy it,” said Ms. Castagno who stocks her store with fashions by Theory, Eileen Fisher, Nanette Lepore, Anthropologie, Elie Tahari, Marc Jacobs and other better label brands.

 And the “give-back” racks offer phenomenal bargains to savvy shoppers.

 “It will be a great summer of shopping; a win-win for everybody,” Ms. Castagno said.