Helping people with bruised or battered lives is Cheryl Rasmussen's passion.
For years, as a community support worker and volunteer in the Tri-Cities, she would hear stories - mostly from women - about how difficult was to break free from their past relationships and to start anew.
Often, she would scroll through the free classified online sites of Craigslist and Kijiji to find free furniture for them.
And, once a year, she would rent a UHaul truck during the spring clean-up locally and load it with household goods left for collection on the sidewalk.
"It's mind-boggling how much free stuff is out there," Rasmussen said, shaking her head.
At her home, Rasmussen would spend hours cleaning, painting and polishing these damaged wares so they could be suitable to be reused by someone whose life had been affected by stress or trauma.
It gave her a sense of pride and satisfaction, knowing the furniture was desperately needed elsewhere.
Earlier this year, Rasmussen took on her biggest project yet.
She opened a furniture thrift store in Port Moody, with the proceeds from the shop going directly to her new non-profit society called Full Circle.
And so far, business has been steady, she said, with many people donating gently used - or, in some cases, brand new - items like couches, dining room sets, beds, lamps and quality knick knacks.
A few retail stores that have damaged furniture and want to unload some pieces have also contributed to Full Circle.
At her Clarke Street store, Rasmussen has four volunteers who help with sales and fix up donations.
Twice a week, they also pick-up furniture from Tri-City residents (for a $25 charge) and drop off furniture to people in need such as families that have been displaced by a house fire or women who have suffered abuse at the hand of a partner.
However, the furniture that's given out by her society are by referral only.
Rasmussen has a list of contacts in government, non-government and charitable organizations that call her when a client is down and out, and looking to move but has no furniture.
"We will give to anyone they recommend and who needs it. We don't judge," she said.
Her concept isn't new.
In Burnaby, there's the Helping Families in Need Society, a volunteer-driven group that picks up and distributes household items to women from transition houses, single mothers on income assistance, new Canadians and other needy families.
Rasmussen holds that society as a model for Full Circle, which is controlled by a board of directors made up of her husband, a friend and professionals working for the PNE and BC Hydro, to name a few.
These days, Rasmussen is also busy trying to find a new location for her thrift store.
The BC government plans to expropriate the building she's in for the upcoming Evergreen Line as the rapid transit is expected to run through the area by the summer of 2016.
Rasmussen has been given a month's notice to leave; however, that may be extended given the construction timeline.
She's anxious about the upheaval but remains upbeat.
"There are a few places I'm looking at right now in the community. I think once we've settled, there are big things to come for our store and society."
To contribute to Full Circle Furniture (2704 Clarke St.), call 778-889-7960 or email a photo of the donated furniture to [email protected]. Pick-up is $25.
For more information, visit fullcirclefurnituresociety.com.
What Full Circle needs:
Furniture: living room, dining room, bedroom, office, shelving, vintage and antique furniture;
Household items: wall decor, lamps, frames, mirrors, books;
Kitchen: dishes, small appliances, utensils, pots and pans;
Kids' stuff: DVDs, books, toys, dress-up clothes, unused art supplies, puzzles, board games;
and large appliances/electronics: washers, dryers, fridges, stoves (no older than seven years old and in working condition), electronics that are mp3 compatible.
