Exploring Life & Business with Tiara Blassingame of Hand of Hope Thrift Boutique

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiara Blassingame.

Hi Tiara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After over 20 years in education and child advocacy, I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring every child has a chance at a bright future. I began as a teacher at Flint Northwestern, where I spent seven years while earning my master’s in Special Education and Educational Leadership. After being told by a principal that “you can’t help them in 9th grade,” I knew the system needed change. That moment fueled my journey to open a school for dropouts in Detroit and later lead an alternative school in Lansing—both proving that with the right support and motivation, every child can succeed.

After years of navigating what I call a “roller coaster of dependence,” I entered a season of stillness where God refined my vision. I launched an educational services business that provided tutoring and support services across Genesee County, including for Flint Community Schools. There, I witnessed firsthand the deep academic gaps and hopelessness our students carry—especially in under-resourced schools.

When COVID hit, I knew Flint students weren’t just going to fall behind—they were going to drown. That burden birthed Hand of Hope – FLM (Flint Lives Matter), a mission-driven effort to restore hope and create real, lasting change in the lives of Flint youth.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. We started with summer programming, but quickly realized that with the level of trauma and need our youth were facing, we couldn’t just offer temporary solutions—we were trying to bandage gaping wounds. Our students needed long-term, consistent support. That meant we had to find a sustainable way to fund that support, outside of unreliable grants. From that need, our thrift store was born. We leased our first location on Miller Road for two years, which allowed us to adopt our first cohort and ensure we could serve them consistently, no matter what. Fast forward to today—three cohorts later—we’ve moved into a new location that’s twice the size and has expanded our ability to impact even more students. Every step has had its challenges, but each one has brought us closer to our mission.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Hand of Hope – FLM (Flint Lives Matter) is more than a nonprofit—it’s a calling. We are committed to restoring hope and transforming futures for youth in Flint through long-term mentoring, academic support, and life skill development. What sets us apart is that we don’t just run programs—we build relationships and walk with our youth every step of the way.

To sustain this mission, we operate Hand of Hope Thrift Boutique, a vibrant, faith-based thrift store that funds our youth programming while serving the community. It’s not just a store—it’s an experience. With something for every budget, we offer unbeatable deals on thrift, boutique, and designer items, plus furniture, housewares, antiques, and more. Our Dollar Days and lowest prices in town are designed to make essentials accessible for families facing hardship.

Guided by our belief that we are blessed to be a blessing, we go beyond the register—regularly providing vouchers to families in crisis and standing in the gap for those in need. Through strong partnerships with local schools, shelters, and nonprofits, we donate clothing and household goods to support students, women, and families during their most vulnerable moments.

At Hand of Hope, you’re not just shopping—you’re sowing into something greater. You’re helping change lives in Flint, one student and one act of kindness at a time.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Bible

Pricing:

• Everyday Deals: Adult thrift clothing: $3.99 Kids thrift clothing: $1.99
• Dollar Days: Select clothing and household items starting at just $1 every week
• Monthly Sale: Last Monday & Tuesday of each month 50% off all thrift and housewares 25% off boutique items and furniture
• Seasonal Sales & Weekly Specials: Follow us on social media for updates and flash deals

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.handofhopeflm.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090824657689