ELDORADO, IL (WSIL) -- A new store will help empower local kids, and organizers hope, it will bring a positive change among youth.
is partnering to create a Kids� 4 Good Center in southern Illinois. This store will be a partnership with the city of Eldorado, the Stress & Trauma Treatment Center, the Fowler Bonan Foundation, and many local churches and civic groups.
These partners invite the public to attend a ribbon cutting and open house on Friday September 13th at 10:00 a.m. The Center will be permanently located at 1206 Locust Street inside Building A. It will be open every Saturday from 9:30am to 11:30am.
Kids� 4 Good Center is a one-of-a-kind experience designed to empower youth with the opportunity to give. These standalone locations allow children the opportunity to a free, dignified shopping experience.
Besides shopping for their individual needs, the program encourages children to select resources to give to others in need within their community. Youth can select one free item for themselves and two items for others in need.
Youth from any community across southern Illinois or the surrounding areas and from any socio-economic group are welcome to participate in this character building program.Â
Dr. Matt Buckman is a Licensed Psychologist and the Executive Director of the Stress & Trauma Treatment Center. He shares what this change means for Eldorado and the southern Illinois community as a whole.Â
“This program will give an opportunity for youth to develop good citizenship skills and experience the power of giving to others," Dr. Buckman explains. " Research has found that helping others benefits a person’s self-worth, self-esteem, and reduces mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression."
