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10 Years of Generosity Transforming Community
10 years ago a former Hollywood Video store turned into Adelante Thrift & became a place of hope and community support. It’s easy to see what a special place thrift is when you shop there. I first connected to Thrift by taking members of my congregation to serve there one Saturday a month. While hanging up clothes we got to know each other, laughed and felt good doing something simple that would make a difference in the community.
Adelante Thrift moved into a former Hollywood Video. You can still see old movie posters around the store from the original tenant!
In November, I took over as Executive Director overseeing operations and was eager to jump into supporting Mission Adelante’s work through the proceeds generated from Adelante Thrift. Adelante Thrift started in 2015 with the goal of supporting the Wyandotte community through affordable shopping, employment, and a family-friendly retail space. Over the past 10 years the impact in Wyandotte County and Mission Adelante has been tremendous. As a non-profit community development initiative Adelante Thrift generates funds to support the work of Mission Adelante, including English classes, Citizenship Classes, after-school programs, youth mentoring and leadership development, refugee resettlement, and more.
Community Impact:
This Saturday as we gather for the 10-year Celebration, we recognize the hard work, prayers, and team work reflected in these significant numbers:
$790,000: Money invested back to Mission Adelante’s programs and community
$4 Million: Money invested back into the community through staff compensation
$650,000: Money invested back into the community through sales taxes paid
42,000: Volunteer Hours Served
Creating a community of belonging through employment
These numbers represent stories like Rosemarys- a recent new neighbor resettled through Mission Adelante from Venezuela. Adelante Thrift was Rosemarys first job in the U.S. Not only did it provide a stable job where she could earn income for her family, it became a place to develop friendships and practice English. Many community members who have resettled or immigrated here arrive with little more than a duffel bag of clothing. This past November a family arrived from a warmer climate wearing flip flops and very thin clothing- not ideal for a cold KC winter! One of our Good Neighbor team members took the family shopping at thrift with the vouchers provided through Mission Adelante. Together they shopped and the mom was able to pick out warm clothes for herself and her kids, toys for them to play with, and items that made their apartment feel more like home. Being able to shop and choose items for herself during a tumultuous season provided a sense of independence and joy.
Rosemary working hard at Adelante Thrift
Customers love shopping for treasures
It’s not only a joy for newly arrived neighbors to shop here- it’s a treasure hunt for people who love a unique find, want to reuse or repurpose items, and spend less on high quality goods. Many estate sale companies donate items they aren’t able to sell to Thrift which means that there are really good deals on name brand clothing, high-end furniture and household goods. It keeps customers coming back because it’s the thrill of the hunt to find a Persian rug or vintage Mid Century Modern dresser for hundreds of dollars less than you would normally pay!
All ages can volunteer at Adelante Thrift
Who is my neighbor?
Volunteering at Thrift is an opportunity for discipleship and learning about our neighbors for the people who serve here from church groups, businesses, schools and teams. A group of 10 executives from St. Lukes hospital served together hanging clothes for a team building activity and a way to support our community. Youth groups regularly have a blast finding unique clothing as they serve here which always creates a lot of fun and laughter. Recently a group of college students from Dordt College in Iowa spent time over Spring Break in KC volunteering at different locations, including Thrift. When I asked them what they noticed about spending time here, they were quick to point out that they had heard at least 5 different languages spoken by people shopping here and that our community looked very different from their town. By stepping out of their context, they were able to spend time thinking about what it is like to come to a new community and feel like a stranger. They were challenged to think about what it meant to welcome and love people from all places once they returned to their campus.
Thanks Dordt students for volunteering!
Working hard & celebrating together
One of my favorite parts about Thrift is the incredible staff team. Elizabeth, our general manager, has created a culture of celebration, hard work and respect. I was wonderfully surprised that for Thanksgiving, Elizabeth arranged for a full catered Thanksgiving dinner for the staff with everyone bringing sides or desserts to celebrate. Sitting together, eating and laughing, though we don’t speak the same languages, felt like a glimmer of the Kingdom of God. I am so proud of our staff team- their work ethic, friendliness to customers, and willingness to support and cheer each other on.
Thanksgiving dinner at Thrift
It is a delight to serve as Executive Director and I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years will bring! I hope that you’ll join us for our 10 year celebration this Saturday, April 5th from 11am-2pm (3720 State Avenue Kansas City, KS 66102). We’ll have food vendors, kids games, a 10% shopping discount and raffle tickets for anyone who brings in a donation.
Jessica Fick
Partner Engagement Director, Mission Adelante
Executive Director, Adelante Thrift
