Village Treasure House awards record $305,000 in local agency grants
Village Treasure House, a unique, charitable consignment warehouse featuring upscale and vintage furniture and home décor, recently announced its 2023 year-end grant funding reached $305,000, the greatest amount ever in its history, supporting 15 community service organizations.
In 1998, Village Treasure House (VTH) began distributing grants. Through year-end 2023, VTH is very close to achieving a remarkable 25-year grand total of nearly $4,000,000 in funding awards to local agencies helping individuals in crisis.
100% of its profits are donated to these local agencies.
“Grant awards are announced twice a year as the funds are needed for ongoing support of our grant recipients,” said Kathryn Hall, chairperson, VTH Philanthropy Committee. “In June 2023, $109,000 in grant awards were announced with the balance of $196,000 in funds distributed in December 2023, bringing the total to a record $305,000 for the 2023 calendar year.”
“We so greatly appreciate our product consignors, customers and volunteers who have made all of this possible in support of crucially needed community services,” Hall added. “The agencies we support provide vital services in their own communities and throughout the Chicago area, including the North and Northwest suburbs.”
“We are a convenient resource for those in need of selling or donating home furnishings, as well as a great ‘find’ for those wanting to purchase high quality items, at good prices, for a deserving cause,” said Sharon Kaczmarek, Shop & Sales director at Village Treasure House.
Village Treasure House is at 1460 Paddock Drive, Northbrook. Visit: villagetreasurehouse.org.
Meet the 2023 year-end service agency grant recipients
The recent round of grant funding selected by the VTH philanthropy committee was distributed to 15 lead grants as well as three special grants.
VTH grant recipients include these nonprofit 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, Inc.
• 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 maintaining and growing their community service offerings.
Warming House Youth Center: A Welcoming Environment to All Teens
In July 2023, Haven Youth and Family Services opened Warming House Youth Center in Wilmette with the support of Village Treasure House grant funds.
Since 1976, Haven, also based in Wilmette, promotes mental health and community wellness through individual, group, family, and crisis counseling as well as several other support programs for youth and families.
“VTH funds enabled us to continue our programming through the Warming House Youth Center and provide prevention for adolescents in sixth grade through high school,” said Charley Smith, executive director, Haven Youth and Family Services. “The funds were allocated for use in a nonclinical setting where youth have the opportunity to visit the drop-in center, socialize and study in a safe space.”
Most importantly, Smith points out the Warming House is accessible at no charge and that should the youth need therapeutic support services, they are able to refer them to Haven Youth and Family Services.
“All teens are welcome to visit the Warming House and we are pleased that the VTH funds enable us to do interventions with youth at a younger age as needed,” Smith added.
To learn more, visit: havenforyouth.org.
Erika’s Lighthouse: A Beacon of Hope for Adolescent Depression
Founded in 2004, Erika’s Lighthouse is a nonprofit dedicated to educating and raising awareness about adolescent depression, encouraging good mental health and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Their mission: “Every student deserves good mental health, and our mission is to provide free mental health programs for any school, anywhere. No young person should feel alone in their depression.”
Toward this purpose, VTH funding helps support - fourth grade through high school - youth empowerment efforts through Classroom Education and Empowerment Club Programs.
“Last school year we were able to impact over 140,000 students in Illinois, and in the North suburbs, 7,000 students living in New Trier Township,” said Brandon Combs, executive director, Erika’s Lighthouse.
Combs explained, “Empowerment clubs and classroom education help to normalize the conversation about mental health and depression and provide good coping mechanisms. It helps students and their fellow teens elevate the conversation about depression and reduce anxieties and stigma.”
“We are educating students on mental health literacy, both locally and around the world, and help them take charge to stay mentally well,” Combs pointed out. “We have an ‘educate the educator’ model at the staff level so we are uplifting the entire school. This includes social workers, school counselors, health educators and home room advisers.”
Erika’s Lighthouse operates under four pillars that promote an inclusive school culture around mental health: Classroom Education, School Policy and Staff Development, Empowerment Clubs and Family Engagement.
To learn more, visit: erikaslighthouse.org.
Three special grant recipients announced December 2023
In addition, VTH announced the three service organizations below were each a recipient of a $5,000 grant to supplement their services as recommended by VTH volunteers:
Northfield Township Food Pantry: Will purchase feminine hygiene products, which are in great demand from their clients, as they cannot purchase them with SNAP benefits.
In addition, the VTH volunteer team donated $1,000 to the Northfield Food Pantry Diaper Bank from its tree ornament fundraising activity. VTH established this special grant in December 2018 with a $7,500 donation that established the Diaper Bank at the Northfield Food Pantry.
Youth Services: Will use funds for its EASING Program, which provides financial assistance to local families unable to afford items such as coats and boots, rent or utilities.
YWCA Domestic Violence Services: Will provide assistance to clients needing help with rent, utilities, food, child care and transportation to stay free from abuse.
About Village Treasure House: Our doors and online store are open to you
Village Treasure House (VTH) is a nonprofit 501 C (3) consignment home store featuring upscale furniture and home décor. 100% of its profits are donated to local agencies serving families and individuals in crisis. VTH is staffed by over 100 dedicated volunteers residing throughout the North and Northwest suburbs.
Village Treasure House is a member of the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce and Glenview Chamber of Commerce.
Browse the inventory and shop online 24/7 at shop.villagetreasurehouse.org.
Showroom hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, at 1460 Paddock Drive, Northbrook.
For additional information, visit: villagetreasurehouse.org or call (847) 832-1030.