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by Lynn Burdick
Last August, the Allen Community Outreach announced the purchase of the 801 E. Main building, where the ACO Resale Shop is located. Closing on the building was a milestone and marks a new phase—"Transforming Lives: Building Self-sufficient Families"—for the Allen Community Outreach.
For 22 years the ACO has been providing emergency financial assistance to residents of Allen, Fairview and Lucas. Over that time, growth in the community has created a bigger demand for services, such as rent and utility assistance, and with its new location, Allen Community Outreach plans to meet the needs of our changing and diverse population. The new building, with 14,000 square feet, will be a "one-stop" shop, providing all client services under one roof. This will include a food mart that will provide fresh fruits and vegetables along with dairy products, canned goods and staples, a larger space for MOW volunteers, client and administrative services in addition to the Resale Shop.
"We are very excited about the new space and all the opportunities it will provide the community," says Steve Augspurger, ACO Board of Directors President. "But the building is not move-in ready, renovations need to be made. Fortunately we have found contractor, Wally Younger and he helped us put together a New Building Wish List—a detailed list of items we will need to complete the renovations."
The New Building Wish List is posted on the ACO website at www.acocare.org. Items are broken down into eight different categories and donors can "shop" for everything from paint and drywall to furniture and electrical equipment. Items are broken down into quantity needed and unit prices, which begin at a dollar. Making a donation to the New Building Wish List fits almost every budget.
"We receive a lot of calls from businesses and organizations looking for ways they can help," explains Glenda May, ACO Executive Director. "And the New Building Wish list gives a detailed breakdown of our needs for this renovation. We will also accept in-kind gifts along with needed services."
Allen’s population is over 70,000 people and by build-out (2012) it is estimated that it will have over 97,000 residents. In the past 10 years, the Allen Community Outreach has consistently provided services to 6-8% of this population, so that by 2010, it is estimated that over 7,500 people will need help. The new building will put the Allen Community Outreach in a position to transform the lives of those in need with a "one-stop" shop as well as new programs to build self-sufficient families, which in turn will help transform our community.
For more information about the New Building Wish List visit www.acocares.org or contact ACO at 972-727-9131. |
