Homewood Youth-Focused Nonprofit 'Little Shop That Helps' To Host Q&A

HOMEWOOD, IL — On Sunday, Sept. 17, local nonprofit Sweet and Thrifty 2 will open its doors for a Q&A-style information session. Hosted on-site at 18667 Dixie Highway in Homewood, the event will run from 10 a.m. until 12 noon.

Founder Moneki Hall says she is opening her doors so that people in the Homewood-Flossmoor area can see and hear for themselves what her organization has to offer.

"Sweet and Thrifty 2 provides help for youths aged 16 to 21 who are in need of assistance. We focus on job skills, training and readiness," Hall said, "but we’re not limited in our scope. Some of our youths need help obtaining a GED. Some lack housing. Whatever the need, we meet them where they are and help them get where they’re going."

Hall’s grassroots mission began in 2020, when she first opened the doors of the little shop where the youths she serves are able to receive hands-on job training and access other assistance. Many of the youths she works with come from the foster system. A foster parent herself, Hall says she believes in the wisdom of community approaches to community issues.

"They say 'it takes a village to raise a child,' and I believe that," Hall said. "Sweet and Thrifty 2 is part of that village, and we are welcoming the rest of our community to come see what we are doing for youth here and to be part of it."

Youths she has served as well as members of the Sweet and Thrifty 2 Board of Trustees will be present on Sept. 17, and light refreshments will be served.