Local Teens Honored for Resale Shop Tied to Achievement Goals

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI — Emily Prokop of Birmingham and Eliana Margherio of Bloomfield Hills know teenagers can struggle with self-esteem. It’s a common struggle without other barriers. But Prokop, of Birmingham, and Margherio, of Bloomfield Hills, realized that as tough as it was for them to navigate the teen years, their peers in homeless or low-income situations faced extra challenges with confidence.

When they were 14 and 15 in 2014, Prokop and Margherio founded Trends for Teens, a nonprofit organization that provides teenagers with new and gently used clothing and accessories. Fast forward two years, and they have distributed more than $20,000 worth of clothing.

The two teens are among 28 winners of the 2016 Governor’s Service Awards announced Thursday by the Michigan Community Service Commission to recognize citizens who display “a willingness to help neighbors and communities through service and volunteerism,” Gov. Rick Snyder said in a news release.

The winners — individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations from across the state — will be honored during a special ceremony on Aug. 30 at the Temple Theatre in Saginaw.

Trends for Teens doesn’t work like traditional resale shops.

Teens can earn points to “purchase” items by achieving academic, athletic and service–oriented goals set to help them understand and achieve their full individual potential. Since the charity was launched, more than 500 teenagers have achieved more than 1,000 goals, allowing them the opportunity to shop for fashionable clothing while building self-esteem along the way.

“Emily and Eliana have demonstrated that a group of teenagers motivated to help their community can achieve great things,” Shirley Stancato, president and CEO of New Detroit said in a statement.

Trends for Teens now has stores in Pontiac, Wyandotte and Detroit, with a goal to expand throughout Michigan. Both Prokop and Margherio also serve as tutors and encourage classmates to volunteer with them.

The charity also was recognized earlier this year with a Presidential Volunteer Service Award, according to its Facebook page.

Full List of Winners

Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award: Doris Jacques (Saginaw)

Corporate Community Leader Award: Bank of Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor); Dow Chemical (Midland); Gast Manufacturing (Benton Harbor)

Mentor of the Year Award: Christine Alvarado (Holly); Alphonso Amos (Port Huron)

Volunteer of the Year Award: Mike McFarlen (Battle Creek); Richard Chatman (Detroit); Wanda Westman (Ishpeming)

Senior Volunteer of the Year Award: Paul Goldsmith (Farmington Hills); James Polet (Holland); Lucille Wright (Bath); Nancy Bryant (Mt. Pleasant)

Youth Volunteer of the Year Award: Caleb White (Commerce Twp.); Aubrey Cohoon (Spring Lake); Eliana Margherio (Bloomfield Hills); Emily Prokop (Birmingham); Alan Sun (Canton); Anna Sun (Canton); Sikander Khan (Jackson)

Outstanding National Service Program Award: Cherry Health Community HealthCorps (Grand Rapids); Michigan Foreclosure Prevention Corps (Lansing); RSVP of Otsego County (Gaylord); MARESA AmeriCorps (Marquette)

Outstanding Volunteer Program Award: Memorial HealthCare (Owosso); Just Speak, Inc. (Detroit); Flowers for Friends (Petoskey); Friends of the Porcupine Mountains (Ontonagon)

To read the winners’ biographies and learn more about their community service, click here.

Image credit: Trends for Teens Facebook page