In the basement of the Coppin Community Center and Church, four blocks west of Washington Park, sophomores quickly grab bags of clothes, knick-knacks and miscellaneous items, carefully placing them on black shelves. As she looks over their work, Arcelia Guerrero, a Lab parent and admissions office associate, swiftly grabs a toy off the shelf, which she thinks a 5-year-old customer will like.
“To see their face light up when we give them a gift,” Ms. Guerrero said.
She said being able to hand toys over for free was one of many gratifying things she’s experienced since she opened La Tiendita, “the little store.”
The charity La Tiendita, a free store at 5627 S. Michigan Ave., provides clothes, household items and more to families in need, specifically migrant families. As an approved service site for sophomore service hours, La Tiendita has become a prominent location for the South Side community and a unique, gratifying workplace for U-High volunteers.
“Our mission is to serve and to help our American [unhoused] people and our migrants that need help, as well, with clothing, free clothing, and free advice on how to obtain jobs and how to sign up for English classes,” Ms. Guerrero said.
Sophomore Celia Lukas volunteered at La Tiendita for over 20 hours this year. She chose this store as her primary service site because she found the environment to be relaxing.
“The work was chill and I enjoyed organizing things,” Celia said. “I thought that was satisfying, and the people there were really nice.”
Rania Khan, another sophomore, agreed with Celia and found the organization relaxing.
“Sometimes we’ll have younger mothers come and pick out their clothes,” Rania said, “Sometimes we put little outfits together. It’s a really relaxing way to start my morning.”
At La Tiendita, it isn’t just about the donated items. There are English classes, job preparation classes and a food pantry for migrants and unhoused people.
La Tiendita’s main patron is the University of Chicago.
“We’re well-known through the community of Hyde Park,” Ms. Guerrero said, “and the University of Chicago. We’ve been supported by them since, I’m going to say, we started.”
One of the reasons Rania enjoyed working at La Tiendita was the practice it gave her in Spanish, but Rania also found Ms. Guerrero to be a great leader.
“It’s very accessible,” Rania said. “She’s always really time-conscious, so if I message her about anything, she’s always very open to different time slots when I’m coming. I think you can tell she really cares about the work.”
Ms. Guerrero’s advice to students on how to serve their community: be more understanding.
“Think from your heart,” Ms. Guerrero said. “Feel more … empathy toward people that need help.”
As the sophomores finish their three-hour shifts at La Tiendita, they look back at the organized, put-together shelves of shoes and toys that will soon be given to families. There’s a sense of gratification as they leave the basement and head through the community center, filled with the sound of Spanish, knowing they’ve done something to help their community.
