Our Team Celebrates Giving Tuesday
We’re donating to organizations that empower the unique individuals that make up the communities we love.
At Shop Extraordinary Enterprises (SEE)—the parent company of Artists & Fleas, Regeneration and Manhattan Vintage—we’re committed to celebrating the courage of entrepreneurs, the spirit of creativity, the beauty of self-expression and the power of human connection.
We’re extremely proud of the communities we have built, from the inspiring creators and small businesses who sell in our markets to the amazing shoppers who enjoy the thrill of discovery. They’re the reason our markets are extraordinary, and they’re the reason we’re able to give back to our communities in New York, Venice, Atlanta and beyond.
In the spirit of the season, we’re excited to share how our team is celebrating Giving Tuesday. We asked each member of our team to identify a charitable organization that is important to them and supports our communities and the special individuals within them. In support of this, our company has made donations on their behalf.
Below are the organizations our staff chose to support this year, with a little glimpse into why they were chosen and a way to learn more if you’re interested in supporting them yourself.
There are so many wonderful organizations doing outstanding work in our cities. We hope this inspires you to find a cause you’re passionate about this holiday season.
Want more inspiring stories? Check out the merchants at Artists & Fleas who give back throughout the year.
Foster Pride
Foster Pride empowers children and teens in foster care to develop their talents, build self-esteem and reach their potential through mentoring relationships and the arts.
“Years ago I volunteered with this organization and their mission to support creativity and entrepreneurship from a young age aligns with SEE’s mission to create opportunity and celebrate creativity.”
– Michelle Friend, Director of Retail
Billion Oyster Project
Billion Oyster Project has restored 122 million live oysters to the NY Harbor, providing thousands of NYC students and residents the chance to be involved in their community and clean up our waterways.
“Billion Oyster Project is optimistic about both the NYC community and the environment. They support a stronger local community in NYC and provide students with the opportunity to see that they can work to improve the place they live, whether that is through environmental action or simply connecting with others.”
-Claire Huffman, Reservations Coordinator
Healing TREE
The mission of Healing TREE (Trauma Resources, Education & Entertainment) is to help people heal from past trauma, while also empowering social change through film, television and theater.
“Victims of abuse often suffer in silence. What drew me to Healing TREE’s mission was their work advocating for social change through the arts and entertainment, as well as the great work they’re doing to help people heal.”
-Elle Walls, Director of Content Marketing
Vibrant Emotional Energy
For 50 years, Vibrant Emotional Health has been at the forefront of promoting emotional well-being for all people. As leaders, advocates, educators, and innovators in mental health, we have been raising awareness and offering support to everyone who is struggling.
“Vibrant’s mission is to provide New Yorkers with emotional support and care when, where, and how they need it. As someone who values mental health and understands the significant role it plays in one’s overall wellbeing, it’s important to me that those around me feel supported in this way.”
-Khatia Khatiashvili, Social Media Manager
Harlem Arts Alliance
Harlem Arts Alliance is broad network of artists and arts organizations committed to the continued cultural development of Harlem. The organization plays an essential role in the lives of local artists.
“This organization empowers emerging and established artists by helping build the resources, networks, and capacity of its richly diverse membership. Harlem was my first neighborhood when I moved to NYC and I want to give back to the arts space that means the most to me!”
-Olivia Crowley, Social Media Coordinator
Black Film Allegiance
Black Film Allegiance is committed to creating visibility for underrepresented creatives. It’s a space that provides mentorship and networking opportunities and promotes independent projects and talented creatives.
“The non profit organization helps to provide resources and mentorship to people who identify as Black that want to enter the filmmaking space. Similar to Shop Extraordinary, they help give creatives and makers a platform so that they can continue to grow.
-Folajimi Olutiola, Marketing Associate
RxArt
RxART is on a mission to help children heal through the extraordinary power of visual art. RxART commissions established contemporary artists to transform children’s hospital settings into engaging and uplifting healing environments at no cost to the hospitals.
“Art is healing! When I first went to school, my goal was to become an art therapist. I wanted to provide people with an outlet that has continuously saved me. Hospitals should be made to heal. It is hard to heal in a place so gloomy and sad. RxART creates moments of joy for the people that need it most.”
-Ally Montana, Community Manager, NYC
Humanities New York
For more than 40 years, Humanities New York has worked with community groups throughout the state, using the content and tools of the humanities to address issues of civic engagement and trust. They support projects that activate, frame, or deepen our understanding of what it means to be human.
“I chose them because their work is deeply rooted in local communities. They contribute to building livelihoods for people and support artists. And they embrace diversity, equity and sustainability as well as collaboration and different points of views in the collective.”
-Kasper Klop, Community Manager, NYC
Green Schools Alliance
The Green Schools Alliance is a peer-to-peer nonprofit with a mission to connect and empower schools to lead the transformation to a sustainable, equitable and climate resilient future.
“It is never too early to teach sustainable practices, and this organization gives schools the necessary tools to implement sustainable practices while also educating their students on how they can be more sustainable in their day-to-day life. As the daughter of a teacher and someone with other friends and family who teach, supporting the educational system is important to me.”
-Amanda Driggs,Retail Manager, Regeneration
Safe Place for Youth (SPY)
Safe Place for Youth addresses the needs of youth who are experiencing housing insecurity within the Los Angeles area. They provide a safe space for young people who are at risk for homelessness and address the social inequities that cause youth homelessness.
“I chose SPY because the youth are particularly vulnerable when experiencing housing insecurity. As a young adult myself, I want to make a difference within my community and among my peers.”
– Mikaella Butalid, Production Assistant, Venice
Comunidad Primero
Comunidad Primero is a grassroots, multi-racial community collective with a mission to distribute a variety of free and fresh products in the Bushwick and Ridgewood neighborhoods.
“I selected this organization because they are a grassroots organization that organizes food and clothing drives in Bushwick and surrounding areas, and I know the money will go to neighbors in need.”
-Julia Szabo, Sales Associate, Regeneration
Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space
The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space is a living history of urban activism, chronicling the Lower East Side community’s history of grassroots action. The museum showcases an often untold version of New York City history through photography, videography, authentic artifacts, and documents.
“The museum of reclaimed space is an initiative to document activism across Manhattan, reclaiming urban spaces from private to public. MoRUS creates opportunities for houseless individuals and continuously supports activists who petition private land to become public land.”
-Alice Taylor, Sales Associate, Regeneration
Out My Closet
Out My Closet empowers displaced & under resourced LGBTQ youth with clothing, care and compassion and creates affirming messages of hope, inclusiveness and support.
“There are many talented LGBTQ+ artists, designers and curators who have yet to be discovered because the lack of basic needs have hindered them from their star status potential. With the support, encouragement and financial or necessary resources these struggling youth, artists and all talents can now eat, breathe, be sheltered and thrive.”
–Vorachon Roongsri, Sales Associate, Regeneration
Brooklyn Arts Council
Brooklyn Arts Council empowers artists through programs that build and invest in a self-sustaining Brooklyn artist community.
“As a dancer, my appreciation for artistry and its many facets is deeply personal. I’m very thankful for organizations like the Brooklyn Arts Council for continuing to connect and empower artists.”
-Cat Cioper, Community Manager, NYC
Haiti Cultural Exchange
Haiti Cultural Exchange is a nonprofit organization with programs in the arts, education and public affairs to raise awareness of social issues and foster cultural understanding within and beyond the Haitian community in New York City.
“I choose this Organization because of the work they are doing to promote the Haitian culture, which is a large part of our community in Brooklyn. This non-profit celebrates art, culture and creativity in our community, which aligns perfectly with the values of the SEE.”
-Alyn Defay, Community Manager, NYC
