Volunteers transform Schaumburg shelter

Carol Brown wants her girls to feel safe and comfortable in their new home, however temporary it may be.

To do that, the director of development for Shelter Inc. knew the more than century-old Jennings House would need major updating.

The stately, red-brick building at 220 S. Civic Drive in Schaumburg serves as the Jennings Group Home for Girls. It provides temporary emergency housing for girls ages 11 to 17 who've been abused or neglected.

Considering Shelter Inc.'s sparse budget, Brown turned to HomeAid Chicago, a nonprofit partner of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago.

She hoped it would provide some paint to warm the place up.

Instead, an army of volunteers rolled up their sleeves Thursday to tackle an extensive rehab project. About 45 people spent the day not only painting, but installing new electrical and plumbing systems, flooring, tile, cabinets and fixtures throughout the 14-room house.

"I never could have expected the response that we got," says Brown. "Nothing here was unsafe or unclean, but this is so totally filled with kindness and generosity."

Since the Arlington Heights-based social services agency opened a shelter at the Jennings House in 1983, it's grown to serve up to 100 girls each year. Six girls can stay at a time, and their stays average two weeks.

Excited about the cause, HomeAid enlisted nearby Pulte Homes. They met with Shelter Inc. and came up with a "needs" list and a "wish" list. Donations from several of Pulte's trade partners helped turn the project from light repairs to major remodeling.

Brian Brunhofer, president of the Chicago division of Pulte Homes, said their goal was to make Jennings House feel less like a shelter, and more like a home.

Adele Smyczynski was one of the volunteers from Pulte Homes. She arrived at 7:30 a.m., hot coffee in tow. Nine hours later, there was a crick in her neck and a huge smile on her face.

"What a gift to give this deserving group of girls," she said. "It's a small thing, but a way to give back nonetheless."

Jennings House has a rich history in Schaumburg that dates back to the late 1880s.

Slot machine manufacturer and magnate O.D. Jennings, who was rumored to have ties to gangster Al Capone, lived there for more than 25 years until his death in 1953.

The home was eventually donated to Schaumburg, which used it as a village hall and for park district programs.