Included - Village of Huntley

Over the years, Pioneer Center underwent a metamorphosis. It became one of the
first non-profit agencies in the United States to initiate a merger with another non-profit
agency in order to preserve services for the good of the community. In2006, it merged
with McHemy County PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) as well as taking over
the operations for the counties only rape crisis center-VOICE Sexual Assault Services.
In 2010, it merged with the McHemy County Youth Service Bmeau and Children's
Center for Autism. These additions grew staffing to over 300 individuals and provided
services to more than 3,000 community members in 2011. In addition to providing direct
services and care, Pioneer Center provides community educational outreach to over
10,000 individuals and children in McHemy County.
Over the last several years Pioneer Center for Human Services has experienced
reduced funding mainly from the State of Illinois as a result of the Great Recession and
the inability of the State of Illinois to control their own finances and operate with a
balance budget. Payments for contracted services provided to the State of Illinois have
lagged three to six months after the payment due date. At times the State of Illinois has
owed Pioneer Center for Human Services over 3.5 million dollars in accounts payable
being more than 90 days overdue. It not uncommon for the State of Illinois to be six
months in arrears in payments owed to their vendors.
As a result of the above reduced funding and late payments Pioneer Center for
Human Services has been forced to seek out other non traditional revenue somces to
maintain the operation of the organization and to suppmt the agencies mission.
In June 2010 in an effmt to seek out new revenue somces, Pioneer Center for
Hun1an Services opened om first Thrift Store called Sweet Repeats at 10514 Rt. 4 7 in
Huntley. Pioneer Center previously applied to the Village of Huntley for a Special Use
Permit to open this new retail resale thrift store business and was so approved.
Om Sweet Repeats Thrift Shoppe has been in operation now for almost three
continuous years in the Village of Huntley. Those of you who have visited our cuiTent
location would notice that om Thrift Shoppe is not a traditional thrift store. We pride
omselves as running a high end resale store. Upon entering om store the first thing most
people notice is how attractive om store displays are organized. We often hear from
customers; "This store doesn't have the appearance of a thrift shop, it looks more like a
high end department store!" We like to believe that we are the Macy's oftlu·ift stores.
In order to accomplish this high end atmosphere much work goes on behind the
scenes. First, we are one of the only tlu·ift stores in the Huntley area to offer free pickup
of large items that are being donated to om store. We operate a pickup phone line 24/7
tlmt donors can call to schedule a pickup of their large items such as couches, tables,
cmio cabinets etc. Sweet Repeats owns our own truck which is staffed by Sweet Repeat
employees who upon receiving a request for pickup schedule an appropriate time with the
donor to pickup the items from their homes. The actual pickup usually occms within a
week of the telephone request. Many of om donated items come from the Del Webb
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