For Elk Hill, a Central Virginia nonprofit providing education, community support and residential treatment for youth, the University of Virginia’s ReUSE Store is like having a neighborhood thrift shop.
Every dollar counts when you run six residential homes, three specialized schools and a variety of community services for children and families with behavioral, mental health and special education needs.
In fact, Elk Hill officials recently collected surplus chairs and tables from the UVA ReUSE Store to help furnish a new group home in Charlottesville for youth in foster care. The nonprofit and the University surplus outlet have had a 5-year relationship.
Chairs, a couch and tables from UVA’s ReUSE Store provide a casual, yet sophisticated ambiance for the game room of Elk Hill Amani House, in Chesterfield. (Contributed photo)
“We have furniture from UVA in every single one of our schools and in every single one of our group homes,” said Laura Easter, Elk Hill’s chief operating officer who received her doctorate in education from UVA in 2003. “Every dollar we don’t have to spend on furniture is a dollar that can go to programming for our kids. And the furniture we get is of such high quality. It’s so nice.”
For seven years, UVA Facilities Management has repurposed surplus goods in good shape through the ReUSE Store.
“The main goal is to divert as much surplus from the landfill as possible,” said Glenn Shifflett, surplus program manager for Facilities Maintenance. “We try and transfer as much surplus as possible back to University departments, which saves them money to buy essential items. We donate to registered (nonprofit) charities in our community and sell items at a discounted rate to the public.”
Elk Hill Amani House residents prepare to play video games while relaxing in chairs from the UVA ReUSE store. (Contributed photo)
The Elk Hill pairing with the UVA ReUSE Store began in 2020 when Easter was seeking filing cabinets for an office. One twin son – both sons are Hoos – recommended the UVA ReUSE Store.
“I contacted Glenn, and the relationship just blossomed from there. He was the one who said, ‘Hey, as a nonprofit, you don’t have to pay,’ so we filed paperwork,” Easter said. “Glenn has just been wonderful. I think he keeps like a running wish list of things that we need and contacts us when things come in that he thinks we’re interested in. It has been wonderful to have access to that kind of resource and to have that kind of collaboration.”
The relationship works both ways. For instance, during the demolition of the Copeley Apartments, Elk Hill acquired about 80 concrete car stops from the apartment parking lots that otherwise would be destined for debris.
“Elk Hill has been a great resource to help us with our landfill diversion goals. Since they have several schools in the area, we can provide them quality furniture and appliances on a continuous basis,” Shifflett said.
