Metropolitan Family Services DuPage Celebrates Treasure House Expansion May 15

Metropolitan Family Services DuPage is holding a special Grand Opening celebration for the newly expanded Treasure House resale shop in downtown Glen Ellyn. Join community leaders, staff, volunteers and shoppers to see all that’s new. Event details:

• Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
• Location: The Treasure House resale shop, 497 Pennsylvania Avenue, Glen Ellyn
• Time: 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a brief program at 6:00 p.m.

The building facade of the Treasure House has been freshly renovated, new space has been added and the interior has been completely remodeled. While many things have changed, the mission of the Treasure House remains the same: support the vital programs and services of Metropolitan Family Services DuPage to help area families in need. The shop raises an average of $150,000 annually for Metropolitan Family Services DuPage.

PPK Architects designed the $750,000, 3,136 square-foot expansion/renovation project, which nearly doubled the shop’s size. Now, visitors to the Treasure House will find a boutique-style clothing area, a roomy home decor section and plenty of space to browse through the store. Visit the Treasure House Facebook page and blog www.treasurehouseresale.blogspot.com to see photos of the new space and get regular updates.

Dedicated volunteer Bob Denney of Wheaton conceived the idea of a Treasure House addition and worked with Metropolitan to make it happen. A fundraising committee consisting of Metropolitan Family Services DuPage Board members, Women’s Leagues members, and Treasure House volunteers began fundraising for the project. Wheaton Bank and Trust kick-started the campaign with a $5,000 donation secured by bank President Bob Hutchinson. Other prominent funders include the Central DuPage Kiwanis Club and the Glen Ellyn Economic Development Commission. The most notable portion of funding included a $250,000 State of Illinois Capital Grant secured by U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14), who also is a member of the Metropolitan Family Services DuPage Board of Directors.

“Metropolitan Family Services DuPage and Treasure House are wonderful examples of civic-minded individuals partnering with the private sector to effectively, compassionately address difficult issues confronting the community,” said U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren. “I was proud to be able to support Metropolitan Family Services DuPage during my time in Springfield, and I look forward to working with them in the years to come.”

“We are thrilled to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Treasure House,” said Theresa Nihill, executive director of Metropolitan Family Services DuPage. “We anticipate the expanded space will mean increased sales that will in turn benefit those in our community who are in need. Many people have worked on this project over the last year and a half. I especially want to thank Bob Hutchinson and Bob Denney for their vision and leadership in making this dream come true, and Representative Randy Hultgren for supporting our social enterprise efforts, which helped diversify our program and services funding base.”

Thanks also to TJ Maxx for supplying jewelry display cases, and to Talbots for display fixtures in the new clothing section. And a very special thank you to Treasure House Manager Tillie Thorpe for her creativity, merchandising expertise, and exceptional customer service, which has made Treasure House so successful for so many years.

The Treasure House was started in the late 1950s by a group of DuPage women who wanted to help local families who were struggling. Today it’s a thriving shop with an eclectic mix of merchandise, from china, crystal, furniture and seasonal décor to clothing, shoes and many one-of-a-kind finds.

Metropolitan Family Services DuPage has been actively serving the DuPage area’s most vulnerable residents for more than 80 years. Located in Wheaton with offices in Naperville, Elmhurst and Woodridge, Metropolitan provides vital educational and counseling services for children, youth and adults, and respite programs for senior caregivers. Last year Metropolitan DuPage helped more than 7,000 low-income DuPage residents.

For more information, visit /treasurehouse or call 630-469-6907.

About Metropolitan Family Services
Metropolitan Family Services gives hope and help to families. We are human service leaders, dedicated to strengthening low-income, Chicago-area families. Families are the heart of strong communities, and we invest in services to help them reach their full potential. Metropolitan serves 43,000 families and individuals annually through seven community centers in the city and suburbs.

Metropolitan Family Services DuPage helps families restore balance in their lives and achieve economic stability; provides youth mentoring; counsels parents, children and seniors; and provides respite to family caregivers. Last year Metropolitan DuPage served more than 7,000 DuPage residents.