Silk Purse Thrift Store to open in Shelbyville June 16

Proceeds from store help pregnancy center

By BRIAN BIERMAN
Special to Catholic Times

SHELBYVILLE — The Family Life Center in Shelbyville is thrilled to announce the Silk Purse Thrift Store will be opening soon. Since taking over Shelbyville’s existing pregnancy center in January 2023, Family Life Center has been steadily growing and expanding its services to develop into a full medical clinic. Medical services provided include offering limited obstetric ultrasounds, pregnancy testing, and STI testing and treatment, along with client education on pregnancy, birth, and parenting. The addition of the Silk Purse is another opportunity to enhance the services available to clients.

Family Life Center originated in Effingham in 1994 with the first Silk Purse opening there in 2001. The Silk Purse provides quality used items at a fraction of the price of new products. Clients earn “client cash” each time they attend an educational session at Family Life Center, which they can use to purchase necessities for their babies, children, families, or households.

When Family Life Center opened in Newton, a Silk Purse was opened alongside it. Not only did this benefit clients by allowing them to buy what they needed, but the income generated from the Silk Purse stores also helps fund Family Life Center’s free services.

The establishment of Silk Purse Shelbyville has been a dream in progress for two years. Clients faced challenges with transportation to Effingham or Newton to use their client cash. A local thrift store, Senior Center Plaza Boutique, graciously collaborated with Family Life Center to allow clients to shop there using their client cash. While this arrangement was helpful, Family Life Center saw the necessity for an additional Silk Purse to ensure continued service funding.

Executive Director Mary Hovis, a resident of Shelby County, envisioned a Silk Purse at the old County Market building, where she once shopped. In early 2023, she began driving through the parking lot and praying for this vision, asking, “God, this is a huge thing to ask, but I know you can make it happen if you want to.” She later shared her vision with Family Life Center staff in Shelbyville and invited them to pray with her.

A few months later, Mary toured the inside of the building. It was not as she remembered; after sitting empty for five years. It was in dire need of renovation. The building was available for lease, but substantial work and expenses would be required to make it usable. After months of praying, in late 2023, she approached the board of directors to gauge their interest in the project. They were enthusiastic, and finally after more than 12 months of negotiations with the owners, the unused portion of the building was purchased in December 2024, just before Christmas.

Progress has been slow, as nearly the entire building needed to be gutted and then rebuilt. The community has been very supportive with several churches, businesses, and individuals donating funds to help with the renovations.

Now that it is opening, the store will not be able to succeed without volunteers. Volunteers who work 10 hours or more a month receive $25 credit to use in the store.  Please pick up an application at the store if you wish to volunteer.

The store is set to open for donations on Monday, June 2, at 9 a.m. Two weeks later, the store is expected to be stocked and ready to open for sales on Monday, June 16. Store hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Donations can be made during regular operating hours. Accepted items include clothing, shoes, accessories, books, jewelry, furniture, toys, décor, housewares, linens, and almost anything else in good usable condition. The location is 2105 W. South 3rd St., Shelbyville, IL 62565.

If you wish to donate to the Family Life Center, visit familylifepcc.org.