Photo provided Helping to building the Turning Point client store were, front row, left-right, Amanda Schroeder, Barbara Reckers, second row, left-right, Greg Moore, Matthew Henrichsen, Maria Wilkins, Shelley Knust, Jayashree Srinivasan, Sudha Neela and back row, left-right, David Alexander, Tyler Owens and Jason Wethington.
Turning Point Domestic Violence Services has launched a new, free service for its clients with help from a local employer.
The nonprofit opened its new “Empower Store.”
A team from Cummins, Inc designed and built the entire store, along with a wooden train for kids to play on while their parents shop. The store, which is open but still in the process of being set up, is located at Turning Point’s administrative building, said President Whittney Loyd.
The Empower Store is a place where all of Turning Point’s clients or participants may purchase essential items. This includes individuals staying at the organization’s shelter or those receiving other services.
“It may be a participant that’s starting over and has secured safe, independent housing but may not have all of the necessities they need to set it up,” said Loyd. “So the store, while it’s still in its early stages, has everything from hygiene products to clothing. It has shoes, coats. The hope is to be able to offer towels and bedding. There’s also kitchen utensils, pots and pans, small home goods, baby products — anything that you could really think of needing in your home.”
All of these items come from donations to Turning Point. According to Loyd, the organization receives a number of in-kind gifts from the community year-round. Having the Empower Store allows Turning Point to better display these items and show participants all the available options.
“They can choose what they are walking away with, which is really empowering,” said Loyd.
Creating this store is something the agency had always wanted to do, she said. Her predecessor, Lisa Shafran, and board member Shelley Knust spearheaded its creation.
Knust, who is executive director of Technical Compliance and Certification at Cummins, coordinated the project. Cummins designed all of the plans for the store, procured the necessary materials and “executed the entire set-up.”
“I think one of the most impressive things was that they recruited volunteers and had engagement from employees all over the Midwest,” said Loyd.
She hopes that, moving forward, there will be a continued volunteer opportunity for Cummins employees to help with the store, such as by organizing and stocking items.
“We’re just extremely grateful that our participants will have the opportunity to not only have access to the things that they need, but the things that they want for themselves and their children,” said Loyd. “Starting over in a home of your own is quite empowering.”
