How did you get started?

Being in recovery myself for 20 years and owning Junction House Sober Living and Recovery Residences for Women since 2013, I knew financial assistance was needed to help people, especially women in recovery. With my hobby and passion for thrift shopping, I started Penny Buck Junction Thrift Store in Warminster in 2020, a 501(c)3 organization. 100% of the foundation's proceeds from the store’s sales and monetary donations help Bucks County residents in recovery by obtaining sober or recovery housing, aftercare treatment, therapy, clothing, and furnishings.

I’m also grateful that I was able to partner up with someone else in recovery and we recently opened Meadowlark Bakery & Café in Warminster, which is also helping those in recovery restart their lives with employment and support.

Who or what inspired you most in your line of work?

All of the people in recovery that I surround myself with help me serve as a beacon of hope to others. When someone comes to Junction House, who could have been homeless, volunteers at Penny Buck Junction, or works at Meadowlark Bakery and they practice a great recovery program, the beauty is seeing them regain self-worth, family relationships, obtain permanent employment, become financially self-sufficient and remain sober long term. These people inspire me to continue my mission.

It’s important to me to work with the youth of our community through the CAP program and teach them life skills like how to vote. A lot of the people in recovery just don't have life skills anymore. I am so blessed with a great husband who is not in recovery. I got sober after 8 years of being married and he allows me to do what I have to do and the reason for that is he knows I am helping other people. That helps me stay sober.

What about your organization makes you the proudest?

Teaching business, communication, and life skills to the volunteers in recovery and the high school students who spend four weeks with us during their senior year at Penny Buck Junction Thrift. We are all about building up the confidence and self-esteem of people in recovery that was lost during their addiction. We also offer volunteer hours for those getting “second chances” and need court-ordered community service hours and we love our volunteers with special needs.

What surprised you the most in your organization’s history, pleasantly or unpleasantly?

Once the Bucks County community heard about Penny Buck Junction’s mission of helping local people with alcoholism and substance use disorders, the donations of clothing and household goods were incredible. More and more people would come in and tell us their personal stories of how addiction had afflicted them or a loved one. Unfortunately, addiction is a family disease. With the greater need to help more people who contact us, financial donations are desperately needed.

What advice would you share for any woman looking to start or join an organization such as yours?

I’m a firm believer that if it’s meant to be it will happen. Ask for help. As women, we feel asking for help is a weakness. It’s actually a strength to know when you need help. Surround yourself with people who know more than you and become a sponge by soaking in their knowledge and expertise. Always remain teachable!

Do not dismiss your gut feeling. Women have the best intuition.

What in your life do you NOT spend time on?

Negativity. It is very contagious and misery loves company.

The best piece of advice that a mentor gave to you …could be anyone in your life or on any subject?

My mother loved quotes and I try to practice and teach them to others every day. Other ladies in recovery have taught me how to set up healthy boundaries.

“Say what you mean, mean what you say, but don’t say it mean.”

“Disappointments are inevitable, misery is optional.”

“Change is uncomfortable, being uncomfortable is necessary for growth. No change equals no change.”

“Pray for the people you dislike the most.”

“There is a solution to everything. Stop concentrating on the problem, spend the time working on the solution.”

What is your favorite part of your day?

I truly love what I do it doesn't feel like work to me. I'd rather be working than being on the beach and I know for some that sounds crazy, but when I am on the beach I'm working on my phone. I also love sharing our mission with the customers who come into Penny Buck Junction. 

Do you have any daily rituals or even weekly rituals that help feed you? 

I'm actually pretty structured and that’s what I like to teach other women in recovery and people at Penny Buck. I play tennis at the same time two to three times a week. That's a definite priority for me. I meet with the women every Tuesday night at all four of my recovery homes.

I was always taught if you need something done ask the busy person. We just get it done; we don't overthink it we just do. But I've learned to ask for help and fortunately, I am so blessed to have great people that help support me in my mission so that has released some of the responsibilities. Delegating is a strength. 

What’s next for you?

I need to do is start channeling my energy into fundraising because without the funds I can't help people. In the three years we've been open we received one donation check of $5,000. I've gotten a couple hundred dollars from here and there from people but we need to get people into the store that might not typically come in. That's going to be my goal probably for the next 6 months.  

Bucks Happening collaborated with our partners at Fox & Holly to dress our 2023 Happening Women Honorees.  Fashion was custom-selected based on each woman's personality.  Check out Fox & Holly, part of the locally-owned LSL Brands company, owned and led by Bucks County entrepreneur Karen Thompson.

Debbi is wearing:
Jacket: Nic+Zoe
Layering tank: Nic+Zoe
Vegan suede pants: Liverpool

Shop a curated collection of top fashion at Fox & Holly. Peddler's Village Shop, 162, Lahaska, PA 18931