Village Treasure House Grants Help Sustain Non-Profit Agencies

Village Treasure House (VTH) announced its total 2024 calendar year grant support of $215,000, growing its total funding to well over $4,100,000 since the charitable organization began issuing grants to local non-profit agencies in 1998.

A unique, charitable consignment warehouse featuring upscale and vintage furniture and home décor, VTH is located at 1460 Paddock Drive, Northbrook and has an online store: http://villagetreasurehouse.org/

100% of its profits are donated to local agencies serving people in need in our communities.

“We are grateful for the continuing support of our customers, consignors, and volunteers. Funding for the crucial work that our organizations do really comes from a community effort,” said Kathryn Hall, Chairperson, VTH Philanthropy Committee.

Meet the 2024 Year-end Service Agency Grant Recipients

The recent round of grant funding selected by the VTH philanthropy committee was distributed to fifteen lead grants as well as three special grants voted on by VTH volunteers.

VTH grant recipients include these non-profit agencies:

• Connections for the Homeless
• Erika’s Lighthouse
• Family Promise North Shore
• Family Service Center
• Haven Youth and Family Services
• Hunger Resource Network
• Metropolitan Family Services
• Northfield Township Food Pantry
• Shelter Youth and Family Services
• The Children’s Advocacy Center
• The Harbour
• Wesley Child Care Center
• Wings: Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence
• Youth Services: Bringing Kids Hope
• YWCA Evanston/North Shore

Representatives of two grant recipient organizations commented on the importance of VTH funding to sustain and grow their community service offerings.

Shelter Youth & Family Services:

A Lifeline to Children and Families in Crisis or Suffering from Trauma

Since 1975, Shelter has been a lifeline to children, youth, and families in crisis or suffering trauma. Years of experience have informed their approach, allowing them to be a leader in Chicagoland for providing emotional and physical care, programs, and services that children need to build safer, healthier, and brighter futures. Shelter is uniquely positioned to lead the way, as the only agency in the state to provide comprehensive and community-based services for children and families at risk and in need.

In 1975, Shelter began placing children and adolescents in volunteer foster homes. These special foster parents received no payment, yet they welcomed scared, lonely children into their homes and provided them with the love and attention lacking in their lives.

Shelter’s programs include two emergency group homes, a transitional living program, foster care, a child abuse prevention program, mental health counseling, and help for young people experiencing homelessness.

VTH Funding Helps Shelter Sustain Critical Client Services

“The funding provided by Village Treasure House has played an essential role in sustaining critical services for our clients. Their support allows us to respond to immediate needs, such as providing Pack 'n Plays for foster families and purchasing necessary items for youth in our CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children) program,” said Carina H. Santa Maria, Executive Director, Shelter Youth & Family Services.

Santa Maria points out, “The VTH generous contributions have funded furniture and improvements to our Transitional Living Program (TLP) patio space, and unrestricted funding for our emergency shelter programs, which are staffed 24/7. This program often costs Shelter money, but with the unrestricted funding, we can provide a physical space for children.”

To learn more: https://www.shelter-inc.org/ 24-hour referral hotline: 847-255-8060

Northfield Township Food Pantry: Coming Together, Making a Difference

The Northfield Township Food Pantry was founded over 50 years ago to assist Township residents struggling with food insecurity. The Food Pantry is known for its quality of services and its comforting grocery store setup.

While the northern suburbs of Chicago may appear entirely affluent on the surface, that is far from true. For Northfield Township residents experiencing food insecurity, the Food Pantry serves as the sole dependable source for regularly accessing essential, nutritional food supplies in a respectful and welcoming environment. It’s the only food pantry serving the Township’s 90,000 residents and the demand continues to grow.

The Food Pantry serves as a support system for Northfield Township residents facing challenges such as job loss, underemployment, divorce, death of a provider or other life disruptions, as well as seniors on a fixed income,” said Roxanne Dunn, Communications/Community Outreach Coordinator, Northfield Township & Food Pantry.

How VTH Helps Northfield Township Food Pantry: Angel Fund Program

Established in 2018, the Angel Fund Program is a vital resource for Northfield Township residents dealing with emergency needs that are not covered by public aid programs like General Assistance (GA) or Emergency Assistance (EA).

“This program operates independently of any other program, addressing specific unmet emergency needs of Township residents,” Dunn explained.

“The Angel Fund Program extends assistance to those individuals and families before they reach a point of crisis marked by eviction or utility shut-off. This proactive approach aims to prevent everyday struggles from escalating, and it also significantly reduces the overall costs associated with supporting residents who are in genuine crisis,” Dunn added.

“The long-term generosity of Village Treasure House has made a profound impact on the Northfield Township Food Pantry, helping to keep our shelves stocked with nutritious food and diapers while also providing critical support to our Angel Fund program, which assists neighbors in need with emergency financial aid,” Dunn emphasized.

“Their unwavering commitment has truly transformed lives in our community."

Note: Northfield Township Food Pantry is undergoing a major renovation and expansion project. To learn more: https://northfieldtownship.com/food-pantry/

Three Special Grant Recipients Announced

The January 2024 funding program included three special grants in the total amount of $6,000 as voted on by VTH volunteers. They were awarded to:

· Connections for the Homeless: Will fund its Aftercare Services Program, which ensures that former participants maintain their housing after leaving the shelter through ongoing one-on-one support for such things as reviewing their bills, completing housing eligibility renewal paperwork, scheduling in-home health aid visits and developing strategies to meet the clients’ individual needs.

· Hunger Resource Network : Will support its Student Food Pack Program, which provides nutritious meals and snacks for weekends and school vacations to 280 students (up from 160 last year) receiving free or reduced lunches at school. The number of students eligible to participate has increased from 400 to 500 during the last year.

· WINGS: Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence: Will purchase new car seats, portable cribs, highchairs, and strollers for the more than one hundred children under five years of age in its program who came to Wings without them.

In addition, the Holiday Ornament Giving Tree Donation Program provided $1,100 combined to Northfield Township Food Pantry and Shelter Youth &Family Services for the purchase of diapers for distribution to families in need.

About Village Treasure House: Our Doors and Online Store Are Open to You

Village Treasure House (VTH) is a non-profit 501 C (3) consignment home store featuring upscale and vintage furniture and home décor. 100% of its profits are donated to local agencies serving people in need in our community.

Village Treasure House is very excited to share that the team has signed a new long-term lease and have completed the remodeling of its showroom.

Browse the inventory and shop online 24/7: http://villagetreasurehouse.org/

Showroom Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11am to 5:00pm. Located at: 1460 Paddock Drive, Northbrook, IL. Phone: (847) 832-1030. Village Treasure House –Our Mission - YouTube

For additional information, visit: https://www.villagetreasurehouse.org/