Five sisters. Four brothers. And their mom.  All convicted felons. All addicts. A family culture where “an honest day’s work” meant getting enough money for the next high any way you could.

Sunday Groce, now 38, broke her family’s model of criminal behavior and drug use ten years ago and set an example that her younger sister, Angie, is choosing to follow today. Sunday began volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission thrift store as part of a pre-release program while in prison for selling drugs. She and six other women worked sorting and hanging clothes two times a week for seven months. Doesn’t sound all that exciting, but Sunday was impressed: “It is so supportive, unconditional.  They don’t care where you’re from or where you’ve been.  Coming out of prison . . . you need that.”

Before her volunteer term was over, Sunday asked the manager if he would hire her. He did. Other than a brief stint at McDonald’s, it was her first real job. For the next three years, she flourished within the store’s healing environment and moved up the ladder to a supervisory position. She learned how to work with a wide variety of people – the public, volunteers, and teens from juvenile detention.

Sunday left the UGM thrift store with a new sense of confidence.  She now works at a local grocery store as the deli department head. She has her own home, medical benefits and a 401k savings program.

“My life really has changed,” Sunday said. “I can make a difference in somebody else’s life. I’ve done the work in my life.  I do the work every day, and I can make a difference in somebody else’s life.”

In the early years of her recovery, Sunday put distance between herself and her family. As a recovering addict, she chose not to be around people who were using. When her sister Angie went to prison, however, Sunday was there for her – visiting and writing letters. When Angie got to work release, she couldn’t find a job.  Sunday encouraged her to try the UGM thrift store, and now Angie is experiencing the same nurturing atmosphere that her sister did.

Each morning before the store opens, employees begin with a short Bible study and prayer. They pray for each other, as well as the customers they serve. Adela Garcia, manager of the downtown store, explained that while no work environment is perfect, a mixture of grace and accountability make the staff like family. Sunday agreed, “If it wasn’t for the thrift store, I’m not sure how things would have turned out for me. It’s definitely one of the reasons I’ve been successful.”

And now Angie has the same opportunities.