Thrift store is friendly face of Youth Connections

What's most important about Community Threads & Things Thrift Store, which is tucked away on a side street of Old Town Dayton, is what isn't obvious. It's the visible face for a much larger package of programs that improve life in the area.

The thrift store does offer what all thrift stores provide: a place to find bargain clothing and household goods as well as a convenient way for people to recycle things they no longer use.

It also enhances the youth and family programs offered by Central Lyon County Youth Connections. The six distinct programs include the Family Advocate Program, which refers families to community resources, and Solid Ground, which organizes youth volunteer projects where teens can explore career interests and get involved in the community.

Youth Connections has been serving the Dayton area since 1992 and is primarily funded by grants and fund-raisers. Threads & Things opened in November 2003.

"A lot of non-profits are doing businesses like this to fill in gaps of service and when grants are coming and going," said Michele Watkins, Youth Connections' executive director.

"We're trying to help the community, to improve it. We have a lot of task forces."

Threads & Things is operated with one paid staff, Coordinator Liza McGann, and about six regular volunteers plus help from high school students involved in Youth Connections programs.

"(The thrift store) is a good place where we can start engaging our community's youth and working with the high school," said Watkins, who has been working with county programs since 1990 and a resident of the community since 1988.

The work of Youth Connections is supervised by a seven-member board of directors. Donna Alexander is the president of the board, which is also made up of Pamela Johnson, Ruth Small, Judy Silker, Jannette Hoffert, and Sharon Atkinson. One seat is currently vacant.

In it's year-plus existence, the thrift store has been a helpful addition to the Youth Connections programs, more in terms of resources than funding.

"We're still kind of in the place of paying ourselves back for opening the store," Watkins said. "We have been able to fill in some gaps like with the mentoring program.

"Sometimes it's not monetary."

When the Boys & Girls Club starting out in Schurz needed games and craft supplies, Threads & Things had supplies in stock to donate. The Silver City youth program needed books and toys, which were found at the thrift store. And fire victims who lost everything have been able to restock basics thanks to the donations of household items and clothing given to the shop.

"We've sent, clear to U.S. solders in Iraq, small stuffed animals that they can give to children over there."

Eventually, the thrift store will be able to provide more funding for the Youth Connections programs, a need that's expected to become bigger as the community grows and governmental hoops get harder to leap through.

Frustrations include not being able to pay staff what they deserve or to be able to provide benefits, especially insurance, Watkins said.

"It's getting increasingly difficult for non-profits. We need to improve our business skills some more."

Watkins is also looking at making improvements to the thrift store. She's looking for talent to remodel the store to provide more space for larger items and to create a section with teens' style in mind. All that while maintaining space for wheelchairs to maneuver.

Anyone with such talent, or just an interest in the Youth Connections programs, is invited to give Watkins a call at 246-0320.

You can also find her at the thrift store at 80 Shady Lane in Dayton.

Central

Lyon Youth

Connection

programs

• Family Advocate Program

Assesses and refers families to

appropriate

community resources using a

case-management approach.

• Parents

Who Care

Workshops for

parents help set

policies, improve communication, and build family bonds with their teens and preteens.

• Solid Ground

A community-based youth volunteer

program that teaches leadership skills, explores career

interests, and engages youth in active roles in their communities.

• SAP Groups

Student Assistance Program support groups are based in the schools.

• Stand Tall,

Don't Fall

Youth leaders who are committed to

preventing underage drinking using

environmental

strategies. Part of a nationwide program.

• Mentor

Connections

Connects youths with caring, adult role

models who provide guidance, support and friendship.

• Threads & Things Thrift Shop Helps fill

grant-funding gaps for other programs as well as a resource for people and other

programs in need. Located at 80 Shady Lane, on the street behind Mia's Swiss Restaurant.

Call 246-2466.

For information on Central Lyon Youth Connection programs, contact Michelle Watkins at 246-0320 or clycmichele

@sbcglobal.net.