CONFIDENCE, COMMUNITY, AND A CAREER
Walk through the doors of YWCA Thrift Store in Wenatchee and you might be greeted first by Betsy, a lovable muppet of a dog and the shop’s unofficial welcome committee. Right behind her is Store Manager Brenda Ratzlaff—steady, kind, and exactly where she’s meant to be.
Brenda’s path to this role wasn’t straightforward. After a serious accident more than a decade ago, she stepped away from the workforce for an extended recovery. Returning took courage, and SkillSource provided the structure to make it possible.
She began with a Work Experience placement at the thrift store, gaining hands-on practice while updating her skills through SkillSource classroom trainings. When the Store Manager position opened, SkillSource staff encouraged her to apply, and an On-the-Job Training agreement helped ease the transition into leadership. Brenda was hired full-time, with a promotion and wage increase to match her new responsibilities.
The result is a win for everyone: Brenda has a renewed career, the YWCA gained a manager whose values align with their mission, and the community has a welcoming space where students and families can find clothing that is school-ready and confidence-building.
For Brenda, it’s more than retail—it’s a daily act of service.
“My journey has been anything but linear, but every step has equipped me with skills that transcend job titles. I’ve lived a lifetime preparing for the right opportunity—and I believe this role at the YWCA Thrift Store is exactly that. I’m passionate about redefining how we view transferable skills, and I see this position as a chance to turn my past experience into forward momentum—supporting both the store’s mission and the broader community it serves.”
SkillSource’s partnership with YWCA Thrift Store not only created the right fit for a new store manager, it also strengthened a resource that matters to Wenatchee families. Parents searching for school clothes, or kids shopping on their own, are now welcomed by Brenda’s big heart and Betsy’s goofy grin— which, when so much else can feel hard and uncertain, are soft, steady reminders of community support.
