Golden Valley Nonprofit PRISM Moves to New Location
Golden Valley-based nonprofit PRISM has opened its doors at a new location. Staff say the new space allows them to better serve clients as well as offers a chance to generate more revenue through a larger thrift store.
“We’ve seen increased growth in the number of people coming in for services,” says Michelle Ness, executive director of PRISM. “Our thrift shop also continues to receive more donations.”
The new location at 1220 Zane Avenue North is just east of the roundabout on Douglas Drive and Golden Valley Road. A donor purchased the building and gave it to Jewish Family and Children’s Services, who leased space to PRISM. Ness says the two nonprofits do not overlap services.
“We grew out of our old space and this new space is more dignified and better reflects the quality of our services,” says Ness.
Volunteers and staff members spent part of last week and the weekend preparing the new space for opening. There’s new paint and new furniture that’s an improvement over the hand-me-down desks and chairs at the old location. The new location has a storefront for a larger, more shopper-friendly thrift store. The nonprofit hopes the thrift store will generate more revenue.
The food shelf also offers a better-feel for clients. Instead of the large warehouse that served as storage and shopping space, the shopping area looks like a grocery store. There are more coolers and more fresh fruits and vegetables.
“We want people to be able to choose their own food,” says Ness. “We want them to be able to feel good and this space allows them to do that in better ways.”
PRISM has embarked on a two-year campaign to raise $350,000 for this move and Ness says they are 80 percent of the way to reaching their goal. During the month of March, which is also FoodShare Month, PRISM is pushing for increased donations to fill the new food shelf.
