Project Phoenix - Helping others rise from the ashes

A family loses everything in a fire. An abused spouse escapes a dangerous domestic situation along with the kids with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. A teacher needs classroom supplies that aren’t provided by the school. A homeless person is given a place to stay but has no furnishings. Someone has no food that day.

What do these and similar situations have in common? Bobbi Sue Burton and her posse of community volunteers known as Project Phoenix come together to get these individuals and families what they need right now. Bobbi knows firsthand what it is like not to have anything. Escaping an abusive relationship with her four children, she was given an empty flat to live but there was no furniture, clothes for her kids or herself, linens or even hygiene items. A kind lady with extra gave her everything she needed – beds, towels, furniture, kitchen items and other supplies that you take for granted every day.

The seed of Project Phoenix was sown back in 2008 when Bobbi would see items left curbside for the trash that were perfectly usable to someone. Knowing what it was personally like to have nothing, she would store the items in her garage and find someone who could use them. In 2010 her partner, Bill Werner, was doing maintenance at the former Quality Storage units and people would leave items behind. The facility owner gave them the use of a unit to store these items until Bobbi would come across someone who could use the items. The Fire and Sheriff Departments started referring people to her as well as other non-profit agencies. 

After expanding to five storage units, it was recognized that Project Phoenix needed a storefront and there has been one in different locations around town. Currently the Project Phoenix operation is housed in the former NAPA Auto Parts Store at 36 W. Dearborn St. The retail thrift section of the store uses its proceeds to pay the building’s rent and utilities and acts as the repository for small appliances, clothing, furniture, hygiene items, linens, teacher’s closet items and more available to those who need it.

Word of mouth has worked in two ways to Project Phoenix’s benefit. It brings people with a need to her and it activates the Englewood community to offer forth and share the extra items they have. Bobbi considers herself a “host” or channel through which needs are voiced and answered. She says she provides the community a way to help others one by one. Social media enables Bobbi to send out a “SOS” for a specific item that she doesn’t have on hand such as a working washing machine or refrigerator and someone always comes through for her. 

You can also find Bobbi and her volunteers at Indian Mound Park on Tuesdays at 5:30pm with a potluck meal open to anyone along with a big helping of fellowship. Restaurants, churches and groceries share left-over food and individuals bring a dish or two to share at the meal. There will be a free potluck meal as usual on Christmas Eve and all are invited. 

The Project Phoenix resale store is located at 36 W. Dearborn Street. It is staffed by volunteers and is open Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm. You can find all sorts of treasures, from clothing to jewelry (some made by Bobbi,) to household items and bric-a-brac. These items are ones that aren’t considered necessities to be used by someone else although Bobbi is known to have pulled something off the shelves because there is a need for it. Also, there is always some free food such as bread offered in the retail store for anyone who needs it. 100% of the store’s proceeds are used to pay the building’s expenses and anything above that is used to buy items that clients may need but are not available.

It is no secret that Bobbi has stage four metastatic uterine cancer and most days endures pain and illness. Physicians often cannot believe that she is functioning as well as she is at this stage but Bobbi lives for her ministry of helping those in need and believes that is what keeps her going. She says, “I believe I am still alive because there is still someone whose life I haven’t touched yet.” 

Volunteers are always welcomed to assist in the many facets and outreaches that Project Phoenix offers. Bobbi stresses that this is a community grassroots ministry – Englewood helping Englewood in Need. If you would like to learn more about how you can help with donations or volunteering, call the store at 681•2707 or email [email protected]. You can follow Project Phoenix on Facebook at facebook.com/EnglewoodProjectPhoenix/