Treasure House Fashions: 25 Years of Empowering Women Through Style
- Shari Berg
- Aug 31
- 4 min read
Sally Power found herself navigating a difficult divorce in 2000. She was drowning in over $200,000 in inherited debt while raising three children on a teacher’s salary, with no child support. Power never imagined her personal crisis would eventually transform into a lifeline for thousands of women across the Pittsburgh region.
This year, Power’s nonprofit organization, Treasure House Fashions, celebrates its 25th anniversary—a milestone that represents not just business longevity, but a quarter-century of restoring dignity and self-worth to women facing their own transitions and crises.
From Personal Struggle to Community Mission
At 50, Power faced an impossible monthly budget shortfall despite her steady teaching income. Her solution was both desperate and inspired: she took out a loan to open an 850-square-foot resale shop. “I was sensitized by my own mess and inspired to keep going,” Power recalls.
What began as a survival strategy quickly evolved into something much larger. Power found herself surrounded by customers experiencing similar hardships—women caught in the grip of divorce, job loss, domestic violence, or other life-altering circumstances. Her instinct was to give, often literally handing out bags of free clothes until she was “giving away the store.”
It was a fellow church member who suggested the solution that would define Power’s future: convert to nonprofit status. “I didn’t know anything about starting a nonprofit,” she admits. “This man gave me the paperwork, met with me each week, and within a couple of months, Treasure House achieved nonprofit status.”
The transition wasn’t without challenges. Power said she was ill-equipped to manage a resale shop and had to learn everything from scratch. Her strategy was simple but effective—finding people who knew what she didn’t and asking for their help. She joined networking groups with established nonprofits like the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul. “I was the pup with the big dogs, and I learned so much from them.”
More Than Shopping: A Philosophy of Worth
Today, Treasure House Fashions operates out of an 8,000-square-foot space, partnering with over 60 agencies throughout the region. But the organization’s impact extends far beyond providing affordable clothing. Power has developed programs that address the deeper emotional needs of women in crisis.
Her signature “sponsored girls’ night out” events exemplify this holistic approach. Local corporations, businesses, or women’s groups sponsor evenings where up to 15 women from partner agencies gather for shopping, dining, and—most importantly—affirmation. Each woman receives a gift certificate and personal shopping assistance, with Power repeatedly emphasizing one message: “You’re worth it.”
“We forget what a gift it is to give someone your one-on-one undivided attention,” Power reflects. During these events, she shares her own story of transformation—from deep debt to running a successful nonprofit—establishing credibility and hope. The evening concludes with what Power calls a “lesson about self-worth,” where she encourages women to “not give discounts on your worth, but instead add tax.”
This philosophy permeates every aspect of the organization. Power made the deliberate choice not to carry children’s clothing, recognizing that “if a mama has a choice between herself and her kids, what will she do? She’ll shop for the kids.” By focusing exclusively on women, Treasure House ensures mothers invest in themselves first. “When you take care of the women in the community, everyone benefits,” Power explains.
Real Impact, Real Stories
The stories that emerge from Treasure House reveal the profound nature of its work. Power recalls a woman who had been abducted and held captive, brought to the shop by a partner agency to rebuild her wardrobe after her ordeal. Another was the mother of the bride, tears in her eyes, who couldn’t afford a dress and veil for her daughter’s wedding. Power gave her both for free, reminding her to celebrate her daughter rather than worry about impressing her ex-husband.
For many, the shop serves as more than a retail destination. “We have women who come here every week because this is their self-care,” Power notes. “We’re the Cheers of the fashion world—you come in and everybody knows your name.”
The operation runs on just two full-time employees, with volunteers handling everything from register duties to merchandise processing. Every item is steamed for appearance and sanitation, while shoes and purses receive sanitizing treatment. Even the act of shopping supports the mission by keeping merchandise in rotation.
Looking Ahead: Accessibility and Expansion
As Treasure House enters its 26th year, Power is focused on completing her long-standing dream of making the building fully accessible. The first phase began in July and includes an automated entry and an ADA-compliant bathroom upstairs. Phase two will upgrade electrical systems and install an elevator, while phase three envisions expanding the mezzanine into a workforce development area where women can receive clothing and job training assistance.
“We want to provide clothing and assistance with growing to become more empowered and financially independent,” Power explains, embodying her belief that sustainable change requires addressing multiple needs simultaneously.
Power also emphasizes the importance of collaboration over competition. “The time is done for having silos. We need to link arms to have a strong network so that people don’t fall through the cracks.” She encourages anyone interested in similar work to first research existing services rather than duplicate efforts.
A Silver Anniversary Celebration
On September 25, Treasure House will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a birthday ball at the Wintergarden PPG from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are available through their website—marking a milestone for the organization and a community celebration of collective resilience and support.
As Power reflects on the journey from personal crisis to community cornerstone, her message remains consistent: “Every time you put on these clothes, that’s a virtual hug from us. You’re doing the hard work of reclaiming your life, and we’re cheering you on.”
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