Kenneth Young Center Resale Shop to close after 34 years

A weakening business model and the state budget crisis have conspired to bring about the closure of the Kenneth Young Center's volunteer-run resale shop in Schaumburg this summer after 34 years.

While it's a sad day for the community of volunteers and customers that's developed around the shop, the one silver lining may be that its closing prevents cuts to the agency's core mental health and senior services this year, President and CEO Susan Cowen said.

"We're grateful to not be cutting services to the most vulnerable people in our community," she said.

Nevertheless, there's a $500,000 deficit in the Elk Grove Village-based agency's finances due to the state budget impasse. This makes the rest of the year even more dependent on fundraisers such as the 5K Run/Walk for Mental Health and Senior Services Saturday, May 14, at Busse Woods.

Opened in the summer of 1982 to raise funds for other Kenneth Young programs, the resale shop at 1150 S. Roselle Road has in more recent years found itself struggling - a phenomenon experienced by other resale shops operated by social service agencies, Cohen said.

Until very recently, the shop was still breaking even. But with it now running a small deficit at the same time the state has delayed funding to Kenneth Young, closing was the clear choice, Cowen said.

"It's provided a place for people to gather, for some people with disabilities to work folding clothes and socialize, and for volunteers a chance to give back to the community," she said.

Part of the work that lies ahead is finding new opportunities within the agency for the 100 volunteers that have given their time there. Two obvious avenues include the need for more Meals on Wheels drivers as well as on the planning committees for fundraisers like the May 14 run/walk, Cowen said.

For more information about participating in the upcoming run/walk, visit kennethyoung.org/events-walk. asp or call Cheri Seeley at (847) 524-8800, ext. 141.