Community members, Chamber representatives, supporters, and volunteers gathered Friday, May 29, to celebrate the grand opening of Army of the Kind's newest location in Geneseo.
The event, organized in partnership with the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce, welcomed visitors to learn more about the organization's mission and explore the new thrift store, which serves as a fundraising arm for Army of the Kind's global outreach efforts.
Founded in 2011 by Marisol Carley, Army of the Kind is a nonprofit organization focused on nourishing children and strengthening families in underserved communities through food, education, clean water, medical care, shelter, and faith-based support programs. Today, the organization supports initiatives in countries including the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Burkina Faso, India, Pakistan, and Haiti.
Carley said the inspiration for Army of the Kind began during her first mission trip in 2007.
"Although I grew up in poverty myself, I witnessed a level of need and hardship that deeply impacted me and opened my eyes in a new way," Carley said. "I returned home with a burden on my heart and a conviction that I could not simply go back to life as usual."
Over the following years, that experience evolved into a vision of connecting communities with resources to communities in need.
"We believe that we are blessed not simply to possess resources, but to share them," Carley said. "When we share what we have, lives are transformed, both theirs and ours."
Unlike a traditional retail business, Army of the Kind operates as a nonprofit organization that funds its mission through community support, donations, fundraising, sponsorships, and mission-driven social enterprises, including its thrift stores. Proceeds from donated goods are reinvested directly into programs that support children and families around the world.
Visitors to the Geneseo location will find a variety of gently used and new merchandise, including clothing, shoes, furniture, home décor, books, toys, collectibles, and seasonal items. The store also highlights stories and information about the communities served through Army of the Kind's programs, helping shoppers understand how their purchases contribute to the organization's mission.
For Carley, Geneseo was a natural fit for expansion.
"Geneseo was a natural choice for our newest location because of its strong sense of community, generosity, and heart for helping others," she said. "Our goal has never been simply to open a thrift store—it has been to create a place where the local community can directly impact lives around the world."
Carley, who moved to Geneseo six years ago, said the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.
"Community members have donated generously, volunteered their time, shared our mission with others, and encouraged us every step of the way," she said. "We've been welcomed with open arms."
Looking ahead, Army of the Kind hopes to serve as a bridge between local generosity and global impact. Through donations, purchases, volunteerism, sponsorships, and mission trips, the organization aims to continue expanding opportunities for children and families while encouraging community members to become part of the solution.
"Our dream is simple," Carley said. "That a purchase made in Geneseo can help change a life across the world, and that every person who walks through our doors understands that they have the power to be part of that story."
Army of the Kind's Geneseo location is now open and accepting donations, volunteers, and shoppers interested in supporting the organization's mission through everyday purchases.