Youth group plans thrift store

STERLING – Members of a local youth organization are starting a thrift store to raise money for the group.

Giving Power to Adolescents seeks to provide a safe and positive environment for area youth at its new site in the former Abiding Word Church building at 312 E. Fourth St. downtown. The store will be in its new building next to the Sterling Post Office.

The group seeks donations of clothes, shoes, toys and games. Items can be brought to the Sterling Township Office, 108 Fourth Ave., Sterling. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

Jace Habben, president of Giving Power to Adolescents, said the idea has been in the works for years. Members began discussing how to organize a shop a few months ago.

Habben, a senior at Sterling High School, said the shop will fill a need for younger members of the community.

“I don’t think there’s a place around here where adolescents can come and actually buy things that are cheap, like games, toys, clothes,” he said. “There’s not really a good place to buy cheap, used video games, so we will set ourselves apart from the competition on that one.”

Habben said he hopes to have the store running by early March. The stores’ hours have not yet been determined.

Jordan Miles, a junior at Sterling High School, said the club is looking for more members.

Specifically, the group would like to see more members from Rock Falls, Dixon and Newman Central Catholic high schools, Habben said.

Giving Power to Adolescents

Giving Power to Adolescents meets at 7:15 p.m. on Mondays at 312 E. Fourth St. The public is invited to attend.

Call Sterling Township Supervisor Matt Howze, 815-625-3990 or email GPA.saukvalley@gmail.com for more information or to donate.

For more information, go to assetsoutreach.org/GPA or search Facebook for Giving Power to Adolescents.