Uncategorized Archives - Hillcrest Platte County

Don’t Believe Everything You Feel

April 7, 2022/in Housing, Uncategorized /by Catherine Kolkoski

I’m a house parent on property of a transitional living facility—Hillcrest Platte County (HPC). We have several young adults in our program ranging from the ages of seventeen through twenty-two. These young adults have found themselves at HPC for various reasons, but I’m glad that each one is here.

Recently, we did an activity that we’ve never done before. We transported them all in a van and took them to Barnes & Noble. There, we directed them to take an hour to search the books and select the one they wanted us to purchase for them. Normally, we would go to a library which is free but there is something unique about being able to get something new and call it your own; this can help create healthy habits.

We gave the young adults the guideline that the book had to teach them something and could not just be a piece of fiction or a comic book. Then, we set them loose in the store. The young adults wandered around, thumbed through pages, read, compared, and contrasted. Ultimately, they landed on their books.

When we arrived back at housing, we had the young adults explain why they chose the literature that they did. There were wonderful motivations behind each decision.

I truly wonder what will be the result of this activity in their lives, five to ten years down the road. While working with this population of young adults comes with its challenges, moments like these will always put a smile on my face as I watch them dream of what could be.

: Theo Davis

>About the Author
Theo Davis is a House Parent at Hillcrest Platte County.

Interning at Hillcrest Platte County

April 6, 2022/in Uncategorized /by Catherine Kolkoski

Are you interested in the opportunity to work within a community of people who truly care about you at a human level? Nowadays, with college graduates placing a greater emphasis than previous generations on purpose-driven work and work-life balance—isn’t compassion and understanding in the workforce something that we’re all seeking? Let me be the first to tell you, that’s what you’ll find here at Hillcrest.

Here at Hillcrest Platte County, our goal is to encourage and inspire you as a young leader to transform the lives of our residents within our transitional housing program. What are we seeking? An individual that has a heart for the ministry and can efficiently handle the functions of the daily tasks.

Let me introduce myself—I interned during the summer of 2021, was offered opportunity advancements, and experienced something unique: my quality of life drastically improved. Now, I am writing to you as the serving Communications Coordinator of this incredible non-profit.

If you believe that God has a plan for your life and He is using these words to minister to your heart, I encourage you to apply. We would love to meet you.

For more information about our program, please visit our website.

Interested in this internship and extended opportunities? Email Lou or fill out the application to schedule an interview.

About the Author
Samantha Piel is the Communications Coordinator at Hillcrest Platte County. Want to know more about her internship experience you can email her.

Finding Community through Trivia with Hillcrest Platte County

March 31, 2022/in Uncategorized /by Catherine Kolkoski

Here at Hillcrest Platte County, we believe that community is essential for life. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This truth resonated at our recent trivia night hosted by The Hillcrest Thrift Shop – Platte City, as we witnessed our volunteer and staff members pool together during this friendly competition.

Having progressed to second place, “Team Staff” was ultimately beat out by the winning team, “The Linen Ladies and Jay.” On the final question, “Team Staff” lost their lead and finished near last place.

Fun trivia pointers from David Seim – General Manager at Platte City:
1. The difference between Vermont and New Hampshire is a lot of points.
2. It is helpful to know high school photos of celebrities.
3. Donice Mahan (Executive Director of HPC) and Victoria Hewitt (Director of Housing) are the best team members to recruit for questions about Broadway Musicals.

Want to be part of the Hillcrest Platte County Community and join in on the fun? Visit our Want To Help page to learn more.

Remember, God never intended for us to do life alone. Therefore, let us rally together to see many lives transformed in Platte County, including our own.

We can’t wait to meet you.

-Sincerely, Team HPC.

From Supporter to Case Manager

November 15, 2021/in Uncategorized /by Catherine Kolkoski

I truly believe that God knew long ago that this is where I should be.

-Lisa Guess

An Introduction to Lisa Guess

I have donated clothing and household goods to the HPC Hillcrest store for the 12 years I have lived in Platte City. I didn’t know much about the program during that time, but I always heard great things. I didn’t understand how meaningful and helpful this program is to people until I accepted and have just begun to learn my new job. I am so grateful for all of the people in our community who have held up and supported the needs of this program through the years. And I am so honored to be a part of it.

Role at HPC: Case Manager, Young Adult Housing, Platte City

In my new role, I will connect, orient, and mentor young adults through a safe transitional living environment at our north campus location in Platte City. This will involve weekly case management meetings, budget planning, life skills classes, and monitoring of the participants’ weekly goals and progress.

My first day of training was Tuesday, October 5th, 2021! I did lots of training and listening the first week. This week, I have already placed two students at our Platte City location with the one who was already moved in the week before. So, I now have three young adults at the Platte City location. And a fourth one is moving in next week!

Transitioning from Supporter to Case Manager

I truly believe that God knew long ago that this is where I should be, so I give him all the glory and praise for connecting me with this ministry. God used my friend, Karen Wagoner, to introduce me to the idea of being a case manager. After a few conversations with other employees, I felt confident it was the right job for me!

Lisa’s Background

I recently retired from 29 years of teaching. I served as a middle school library media specialist…17 years in the Pattonville School District in St. Louis and 12 years in the Smithville School District. I am married to my husband Paul and have two sons.

Did you know?

Since HPC began Young Adult housing in 2017, countless young adults have transformed their lives by graduating from the program.

Here is how to help:

Shop at our Hillcrest Thrift Shops.
Donate items to our Hillcrest Thrift Shops.
Donate your time and volunteer at the Hillcrest Thrift Shops.
Make a monetary contribution.

Meeple-A-Thon

October 19, 2021/in Uncategorized /by Catherine Kolkoski

What is a Meeple-A-Thon?

Meeple-A-Thon KC is a once-a-year, family-friendly, board game marathon—benefitting Hillcrest Platte County’s Young Adult Housing Program.

Meeple-A-Thon 2021 will feature tournament events such as Warhammer 40k, Freeblades, Magic: The Gathering, etc. In addition, there will be various interactive activities such as the “Paint and Take” table, an available gaming library to choose from, open play tables, local vendors to visit, and more.

Meeple-A-Thon will also host the “Game for Change” annual charity raffle.

Meeple-A-Thon is a 24 Hour Event on October 22, 6 p.m. – October 23, 6 p.m.

It benefits Hillcrest Platte County Young Adults and is Organized by David Seim

The Creation of Meeple-A-Thon. David’s Story.

About five years ago, Hillcrest Platte County was contacted by The Platte County R3 School District and was asked to meet a need for a student that had no place to stay. What HPC had found was an increased number of homeless 17–24-year-olds. Because of this, Hillcrest Platte County was going to start the remodeling process for turning some of the apartments into dormitories. Given my own past, I decided to create this little event called Meeple-A-Thon, where we would play board games for 24-hours and raise money to help with the remodeling process.

Previous Meeple-A-Thon Events

The first year, we had a couple of weeks to plan and made $700. The next year, we had all year to plan and made $5,000. In the third year, we got some volunteer help with the event and raised $12,900. Last year was COVID-19, we went virtual but still raised $5,000. This year, I am so excited about the full potential of what we are able to do.

Where does the passion come from?

Why do I have passion for this? When I was 17, I left the house I was living in. It wasn’t a healthy environment and I moved in with my sister for a bit; then I found myself moving around from place to place. I didn’t really have a set place to live so I can understand and relate with these kids who are aging out of foster care, or just kids that find themselves in a bad situation and homeless, looking for a way to get their lives on track. That is why I created this event and why I’m passionate about the young adult housing here at Hillcrest Platte County.

Why Board Games?

Board games in general—I like the people, I like playing with my friends. There are moments where of course it’s fun, but it’s also a great excuse to have a weekly night where you are with your friends or family. Phones are usually put away, so you’re dealing face to face with people around a table and you’re having conversations. You’re sharing food and stories about your week, instead of just reading about it in a text or on a Facebook post. You’re having face-to-face interaction with people and I like that. I like that.

David Seim

Visit https://meepleathon.com/

No ordinary thrift stores

January 24, 2021/in Uncategorized /by Catherine Kolkoski

Hang out long enough at any of our HPC-Thrift shops, and you will find that these are no ordinary thrift operations. Staff and volunteers meet together each week to ban together and make available to the public the seemingly endless influx of donations that come from local supporters daily. A real melting pot if you will, of young and old, wealthy and poor, weak and strong, educated and uneducated individuals, as diversified a group demographically, dynamically, and personality-wise, you’ll ever see in one place.

But what makes these stores even more unique are the connections you see happening as our “peeps” engage with one another, the shoppers, and even our HPC program participants. It is not uncommon to have managers coaching our young entry-level employees and community service workers after hours on life skills. Most every day, a widow is looked after or considered to care for if need be. Birthdays are recognized every month, flowers are sent to funerals of lost ones, food is given freely, and cool drinks of water are offered daily in Christ’s name.

God is alive and well at our thrift stores

I’ve watched volunteers pool money together to help an employee. I have seen employees do the same for volunteers and observed outreach to volunteers, employees, and shoppers alike, troubled with health conditions, offering support and prayers. There is an awareness to look out for others and execution of that care, that when witnessed, leaves you with a deep sense that God is alive and well at our thrift shops.

Our thrift shops have become a beacon of generosity and care throughout Platte County. Community partners call on us regularly to help those they run across who need clothing or beds. Prayer warriors frequently lift prayers for our staff, volunteers, widows, family members, customers, and program participants. Yes, God is alive and well. His movement throughout HPC is obvious, evident, anticipated, and even expected! He has brought together people for His purpose, for not only helping those less fortunate but for reconciling His people back home to Him. Who would’ve thought He would use our thrift shops in such a manner.

No, these are no ordinary thrift stores.

by Lou Warner

Lou is the Director of Thrifts for all of the Hillcrest Thrift Stores.

From the Outside Looking in

February 4, 2020/in Uncategorized /by Catherine Kolkoski

Stop for a moment and picture the face of homelessness. Is the picture in your mind someone who works two jobs? Do you see a loving wife and the mother of three children? Does your picture show a twenty-two-year-old working towards a goal to graduate from college?