People's Resource Center opens new location in Westmont

When the Wheaton-based People's Resource Center expanded to Westmont in 2008, it opened a facility on Blackhawk Drive that had just the right amount of space to serve the estimated 300 families who came through every month.

Just a few months after the opening, however, the financial crisis hit.

"Almost instantaneously we were serving so many more people," Director of Development Jennifer Williamson said.

So the organization got to work planning for a bigger space that could accommodate the volume of services it wanted to deliver to struggling residents living in southeastern DuPage County.

On Wednesday, a new 13,000-square-foot Westmont location opened at 104 E. Chestnut Ave.

The Blackhawk Drive location has closed and all the services offered there have moved to the significantly larger space, which includes a food pantry, clothes closet and dedicated classrooms for programs.

"Before, we basically had one classroom that all the programs had to share," Williamson said, adding that the location now serves more than 1,000 families a month. "It alleviates scheduling problems and each classroom has been built specifically for that type of work."

That includes a literacy classroom where families can spread out and read books, a community technology center with computer work stations and an art classroom with natural light and sinks for cleaning supplies.

"I think people are really amazed just to look around and see how much more space there is," Williamson said of the residents who visited this week.

About 45 families came to the food pantry when it opened its doors for the first time Wednesday morning. Williamson said they were especially impressed by the new walk-in coolers and freezers that allow for the storing of much more frozen meats and fresh produce.

"We were really thrilled they easily found the new location and really enjoyed being able to shop in the new location," she said.

Williamson said staff and volunteers are excited to be working in the new building, too.

"Everything is nice and new and bright and clean and I think that really makes it an even more fun place to come to work every day," she said.

The organization has raised about two-thirds of $2.75 million needed for the building purchase, renovations and establishment of programs. Donations still are being accepted and can be made at www.peoplesrc.org/homeforgood.

Services are continuing as usual at the organization's Wheaton location.

A grand opening ceremony for the new Westmont center is scheduled for 8 a.m. May 15.