“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Authors
Renee is a graduate of FIDM, and has held jobs in several industries such as apparel manufacturing, retail, professional office work, and even hospitality! Her creative outlook, wide variety of experiences, and desire to notice the beauty around us make her a great addition to the Goodness Exchange team!
Renee Laroche-Rheaume
Outreach Coordinator & Writer
Renee’s welcoming presence and desire to notice the beauty in the world around us makes her an excellent addition to the GE team, where she writes articles on topics in art and culture, and works to connect with our community as our Outreach Coordinator.
Hi there, I’m Renee, the Goodness Exchange's Outreach coordinator!
Starting from a young age, my curiosity about the world has been fueled by empathy, art, and culture. I have earned several scholarships in my youth in recognition of my vocal talents, creative writing, and moral compass.
After high school, I went on to earn my Associate of Arts degree for Apparel Design from FIDM in Los Angeles, where I gained the technical knowledge and creative inspiration to pursue a career in design.
I have combined my passion for timeless style, my ability to recognize value, my artistic eye, and organizational skills to build an e-commerce business. Since 2013, I have personally curated and styled vintage fashion for my Eco-friendly online store, Spotlight Vintage. My work with Spotlight Vintage and the Northwest Nightmares Film festival have been both a creative outlet and a great training ground for building an online following, a knowledge base I have brought with me to grow our community at the Goodness Exchange.
In addition to my many creative endeavors such as fashion illustration, learning to play the ukulele, and seasonal window painting, I am an active member of the arts community in Saint Albans, VT. I also love connecting one-on-one with local patrons by working charitable events and bartending in the taproom at 14th Star Brewing Company. My high level of empathy makes me an expert communicator and gives me the ability to instantly engage and connect with others.
If you find yourself at a dinner party with Renee, ask her about her favorite films or her tastiest concoctions in the kitchen!
Author's Articles
5 min read
Gifts That Do Good: The 2022 Holiday Gift Guide
Need ideas for holiday gifts that give back? Each item in the Goodness Exchange Holiday Gift Guide benefits a cause close to your heart. From grandma to baby, and the little dog too, we’ve got something for everyone. And, you can feel great knowing that you used your purchasing power to choose gifts that keep giving back well after the new year. Happy shopping!
No Groceries For a Year: One Couple’s Homegrown Journey
Could you go an entire year without going to the grocery store? Would you know the first thing about when to plant your tomatoes? What about raising your own livestock? Or foraging in your backyard? For most of us, living off the land would feel like a near impossibility, but for one Canadian couple, their inexperience became a source of inspiration. Their goal: go an entire year without buying anything from the grocery store.
Zero Waste Cafes Offer the Pick-Me-Up We Need Right Now
Can’t survive without your morning coffee? From farm to cup, here are companies that are filtering the waste out of our coffee obsession, and making it easy to enjoy some java without hurting the environment.
Laugh More to Live Longer: The Health Benefits of Laughing!
Did you know there’s a secret universal language out there that every human on earth (and many animals too) speak fluently? I’ll give you a few hints… It’s silly. It’s contagious. And, it may hold the key to staying young at heart, regardless of what life throws your way. We're talking about laughter!
5 min read
Is Your Workspace Working Against You? Here’s How to Fix It.
Hold the phone! Did you know that the clutter in your space is wreaking havoc on your productivity and well-being? Let’s learn how to determine if your workspace is working against you, and how to declutter it for a better-working brain.
Leftovers to Logs: Fruit Pulp Could Be the Fuel of the Future
There is a secret second life hiding out within almost every substance on earth, but today we’re zeroing in on an innovative way that one Argentinian couple is transforming fruit pulp. Want to know what they’re turning it into? We’ll give you a hint... it can warm your belly, your home, and your soul.
21 Billion Pounds of Clothes Go to Landfills Every Year… Now FABSCRAP is On the Case!
We’ve mastered how to make the most of food scraps, but what about textile scraps? Let’s meet the female CEO of FABSCRAP, the company transforming textile waste from the apparel design process into a catalyst for a community of changemakers.
Why do Swedes only Eat Sweets on Saturday?
Got sugar? The Swedes are on to something…We’re exploring the history behind a Swedish cultural tradition called lördagsgodis. Let’s learn how to enjoy the sweeter things in life without sacrificing our health and happiness!
NASA’s Message to Alien Life Celebrates the Best of Humanity
Did you know that back in 1977, NASA launched a time capsule into outer space? This historic message in a bottle is called the Golden Record, and it is a feast for the eyes, ears, mind, and soul. Let’s discover how scientists described humanity to extraterrestrial life forms, and see if it still holds up today!
A Whale Saved Her From a Shark, Then Came Back to Visit
Nan Hauser has been researching humpback whales for 30 years, but she never expected that one would save her life! Let’s learn how a whale's altruistic behavior changed her life forever, and how we can return the favor.
The Surfing Therapy Dog Helping Those with PTSD and Autism
Ricochet the therapy dog's work takes place not on the couch, but on the waves! Hopping on the surf board of those with PTSD or autism, Ricochet's presence provides the confidence people need to overcome the challenges they face. Check it out to see how we can get by with a little help from man's best friend.
Matching What You Love with What You Do: Fake Movie Food Artists Show Us How
Think your talents are too random to be useful? Think again! Connect the dots between your unique talents, priorities, and life experiences, so you can find your true niche in life by taking advice from these fake movie food artists!
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