Local Girl Scouts Organize "Street Store" for Emergency Shelter Clients

After deciding to focus less on merit badges and outings, and more on community service, Girl Scout Troop 40934 in Oak Park was looking for a project. Several ideas were discussed, with the scouts ultimately voting to help the homeless community in Oak Park. Following a model developed by a nonprofit in Africa, the scouts organized a collection drive for clothing, with the goal of setting up a "street store" for clients in our Emergency Shelter.

Several of the girls wrote a short flyer explaining the project and what donations were being sought. They then distributed the flyers to their neighbors, friends and families, as well as sending out emails and posting on Facebook. Within five days, the troop received close to 40 bags of donations. 

The troop brought the clothing to the shelter at St. Mary of Celle and set up a "store" for clients to come into and shop. Because of the large volume of donations collected, almost everyone in the shelter was able to pick out clothing that they liked, and that fit them. The clients were especially excited because they often are not able to choose the clothes they receive.

The Girl Scouts also benefited from the experience, with short presentations given to them by several PADS' staff members & volunteers about the complexities of homelessness. From one of the troop leaders: "They were all very excited on the ride home after their “street store”.  I think it was a very enriching experience for them on many levels, from having a better understanding of homelessness to feeling empowered to make a difference.  Thank you for allowing us to make this happen and for allowing the girls to take such a huge role in the evening.  There was a unanimous “yes” to doing it again."

Thank you to Troop 40934 and their leaders (Susan Stanislaw, Grace Macek and Angela Hill) for their generous donation of time and energy, and for giving our clients an experience they would not have had otherwise.