New Beginnings Thrift Store and Women's Help Center opens

MORRIS - New Beginnings Thrift Store and Women's Help Center has opened their thrift store doors to help raise money for the services they provide women.

"We formed through lots of prayer," Tabitha Kosch said. "We serve women of all ages 18 to 90 plus."

Kosch said the center provides items for daily living as well as mentoring services and formed with it's board of directors in March of this year.

Morris mayor Richard Kopczick who cut the ribbon at the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting event Monday said there is a need for women's services in the community and he is happy to see the group step up and fill that need.

"There is definitely a need, look at the Take Back the Night event, you learn about abuse both physical and emotional," Kopczick said. "For so many years it's been ignored and they are providing an opportunity for these women."

Kosch said the group realized there is not a lot of free mentoring in the area and the service is needed.

In addition to mentoring the group will help those who need an advocate and will refer those in need to other organizations in the community who can help them.

They also provide essential items like cleaning supplies and baby supplies that SNAP doesn't cover.

To help sustain the organization Kosch said they decided to run the thrift store at 306 E. High Street in Morris.

Kopczick said it's great way for people to help, they can shop for items to decorate their home while benefiting the group.

The store is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and the women's center is open from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.