When it comes to tackling poverty across Michigan, few organizations have captured the spirit of collaboration and innovation quite like **Storehouse for Community Resources**. Featured on the *Mission Control* podcast with host **Paul J. Schmidt**, Executive Director **Jessica Johns** shared how this remarkable nonprofit has grown from a humble idea into a statewide force for good—connecting resources, organizations, and communities in ways that truly multiply impact.

### A Mission That Multiplies Good

At its heart, Storehouse has a clear and ambitious purpose: **to decrease poverty and increase prosperity in communities across Michigan.** It’s a mission rooted in practicality and powered by faith. Instead of focusing solely on direct aid, Storehouse bridges the gap between abundance and need—redistributing essential goods from manufacturers, retailers, and big-box stores to nonprofits, schools, and churches that serve people every day.

Think of it as a *Costco for nonprofits.* Inside Storehouse’s **35,000-square-foot warehouse**, partners push carts through aisles stocked with bedding, hygiene products, clothing, and office supplies—all available at a fraction of retail cost. Every cart filled saves local nonprofits dollars that can be reinvested directly into their programs and people.

As Jessica explains, “You’re literally shopping for the supplies you need. The space is designed to make giving efficient—and even a little fun.”

### From Classroom to Community Builder

Jessica’s journey to this role began far from warehouse floors. A former **teacher**, she spent years in the classroom, witnessing firsthand how poverty limits opportunity. Growing up in a large family herself, she understood what it meant to make do with little—and that empathy became her compass.

“I grew up in poverty,” she shared. “It was always inside me to want to give back.”

That calling deepened while volunteering at a Michigan food bank, where Jessica noticed a glaring need for personal care items. When a broker offered to donate these products—but only to a registered nonprofit—she and her friend **Nora Rooter** took a leap of faith and founded Storehouse.

They had no warehouse, no funding, and no experience. What they *did* have was determination, community spirit, and a belief that God had placed this work on their hearts.

### Building a Warehouse of Hope

From its early days in a borrowed church facility to its current bustling warehouse, Storehouse’s growth has been fueled by both ingenuity and grit.

The first truckload of donations—sourced through a partnership with **World Vision**—arrived overflowing with everything from shoes to pillows. At first, the sheer volume was overwhelming. Then, within days, another nonprofit called needing pillows for families in crisis. The alignment felt like fate. “There was probably more here than we realized,” Jessica said.

Moments like that cemented the organization’s model: acting as a **connector**, not a competitor, within Michigan’s charitable ecosystem. By equipping other nonprofits with the materials they need, Storehouse empowers them to do more of what they do best.

### Scaling Across Michigan

What started as one truckload of supplies has evolved into a statewide network. Storehouse now serves **over 40 counties**, with a goal of reaching all 80 in the coming years. Expansion isn’t just about opening new buildings—it’s about building relationships.

Jessica spends time at Rotary meetings, community events, and nonprofit roundtables, spreading the word and inviting people to tour the space. Once visitors see the operation in person, they rarely forget it. “Once you come, you find it intriguing,” she said. “You go back and talk about it.”

That word-of-mouth momentum has carried Storehouse into new communities across Michigan, proving that good work travels fast when it’s rooted in authenticity.

### Faith, Family, and Leadership

Jessica’s leadership style draws directly from her teaching background. One principle has guided her from the classroom to the warehouse floor: **“Model, model, model.”** She believes in showing, not telling—whether it’s leading a team, welcoming volunteers, or fostering collaboration between nonprofits.

Volunteers remain the heartbeat of Storehouse. Some have been with the organization since its very first shipments, and many corporate and college groups now join in for team-building days of sorting, packing, and organizing goods. Jessica calls them “the OGs,” a testament to how integral they’ve become to the mission.

Beyond Storehouse, Jessica finds balance in family life. A proud mom of three boys, she recharges by hiking, traveling, and unplugging outdoors. “Just being outside and enjoying nature,” she says, is her way to reset after days filled with constant motion.

### Technology and the Next Chapter

As Storehouse grows, Jessica envisions technology as the key to deeper impact. A custom inventory and tracking system already allows the team to monitor thousands of donated items, right down to the last pillow. The next phase? A **statewide digital platform** that matches community needs with available resources—connecting donors, distributors, and nonprofits through real-time data.

She also dreams of expanding into **housing and workforce support**, sourcing larger materials like flooring and fixtures to help families achieve long-term stability. “If we want to support sustainable housing,” Jessica says, “we need to gather those other resources, too.”

### The Power of Community

Nine years in, Storehouse stands as proof that generosity scales best when powered by collaboration. Every shipment, volunteer hour, and saved dollar creates ripples of impact across Michigan.

Jessica’s favorite moments are the quiet ones—when she overhears other nonprofit leaders talking about Storehouse’s impact without realizing she’s in the room. “That’s when it really hits,” she says. “We’re making a difference out there.”

Her message, and Storehouse’s philosophy, is simple but profound: *If we lean in and work together, our collective impact will always be greater than what we can do alone.*

To learn more, visit **[storehousemi.org](https://storehousemi.org)** or follow Storehouse for Community Resources on **LinkedIn** and **Facebook**. And to hear Jessica’s full conversation with Paul J. Schmidt, check out the *Mission Control* podcast—where stories like hers remind us that every act of giving begins with connection.

**Building Community, Impact, and Resilience: The Mission Control Podcast with Glenn Wilson**

The *Mission Control Podcast*—hosted by Paul Schmidt of **UnoDeuce Multimedia**—has become a platform for nonprofit leaders to share how they “make it happen” in their communities. In one particularly inspiring episode, Schmidt sits down with **Glenn Wilson**, founder, president, and CEO of **Communities First Incorporated**, to explore what it takes to transform neighborhoods, build resilience, and spark meaningful change.

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### From Football Dreams to Community Builder

Before he was a nonprofit executive, Glenn Wilson dreamed of playing professional football. His plan was simple: make it to the NFL, then return to his hometown of Flint, Michigan, to help rebuild the neighborhoods he loved. When injuries ended that dream, he pivoted—bringing the same grit and vision to a new playing field.

Through years of experience in healthcare, transportation, and public service, Wilson recognized a deep need for affordable housing and community revitalization. With encouragement from his wife, Essence, he sold his business and committed three years to see what impact he could make. Fifteen years later, **Communities First Incorporated** has grown into a regional powerhouse for social and economic change.

> “I really wonder if I can do something in our community that would have lasting change.” — *Glenn Wilson*

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### Launching in a Recession: Faith and Tenacity

Starting a nonprofit in 2008—at the height of the recession—wasn’t for the faint of heart. As Wilson recalls, “Everybody told me I was crazy.” While others focused on demolition and downsizing, he saw potential in old buildings and struggling neighborhoods. His vision took shape with the **Oak Street Senior Apartments**, one of the first adaptive reuses of a school building for affordable senior housing in the country.

For the first four years, Glenn and Essence ran the organization themselves, doing everything from finance to fieldwork. Their perseverance paid off—laying the groundwork for what would become one of Michigan’s most respected community development nonprofits.

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### Building on Financial Integrity

Wilson believes that the difference between dreamers and doers often comes down to one word: **accountability**. Early in the organization’s journey, he prioritized fiscal responsibility—hiring a contract CFO and conducting a full audit on just $10,000 in the bank.

“Fiscal responsibility is one of the things that usually keeps nonprofits from excelling,” Wilson says. That decision built trust with funders and opened doors for future growth. Today, Communities First employs over 40 staff members across multiple states.

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### The Power of Storytelling

As both Wilson and Schmidt agree, storytelling is at the heart of effective leadership. For Wilson, it’s about connecting emotionally—sharing not just what the organization does, but *why* it matters.

“Your best salesperson is you,” Wilson notes. “If you can’t tell people why they should walk alongside you, you need to find someone who can.”

By being transparent about his own experiences—like losing a home to a fire—Wilson has helped others see the human side of the housing crisis. Storytelling, he says, turns empathy into action and recruits allies who believe in the mission.

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### Flint’s True Story: Resilience Over Ruin

Flint has faced its share of challenges—from the decline of GM to the water crisis and COVID-19—but Wilson refuses to let those hardships define the city.

“You can either be the person to impact your environment or you can let your environment impact you,” he says. “I choose to impact my environment.”

Under his leadership, Communities First has emphasized collaboration—working alongside other nonprofits, civic leaders, and residents to foster resilience and renewal.

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### Entrepreneurial Spirit in a Nonprofit World

Wilson’s business background has shaped his nonprofit philosophy: to be **mission-focused but business-minded**. He teaches that a sustainable nonprofit must operate like a smart business—strategically managing income, expenses, and talent while staying true to its core mission.

“It’s about being mission-focused, but being business-minded as a nonprofit,” he explains. “At the end of the day, it’s still a business.”

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### Communities First’s Three Pillars

Wilson describes Communities First’s work through three interconnected pillars:

1. **Economic Mobility** – Helping families build wealth through financial education and advocacy.
2. **Equitable Real Estate Development** – Creating and managing affordable housing through innovative projects, such as transforming old schools and factories into livable spaces.
3. **Engaged Communities** – Hosting more than 90 community events annually, advocating for policy change, and fostering civic engagement across Michigan and beyond.

With projects spanning Flint, Lansing, Detroit, and even Indiana, Communities First adapts to each community’s unique needs while maintaining its commitment to equity and inclusion.

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### Leading Through Service and Collaboration

Beyond his work at Communities First, Wilson serves on numerous boards—including the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan and the Mass Transportation Authority. For him, board service is about adding value and learning from others.

“You’re supposed to serve on boards because it means something to you, and you feel like you can add value,” he says.

These experiences have deepened his understanding of the intersection between community needs, corporate responsibility, and public policy—further fueling his commitment to collaborative leadership.

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### Lessons for Nonprofit Leaders

Fifteen years into his journey, Wilson offers timeless advice for nonprofit professionals:

1. **Lead with Your Story** – Authenticity inspires action.
2. **Balance Mission and Money** – Sustainability requires both purpose and prudence.
3. **Value Collaboration** – Collective wisdom strengthens communities.
4. **Stay Passionate** – Let the work energize, not exhaust, you.
5. **Invest in Talent and Technology** – Efficiency and skill drive long-term success.

> “We can focus on the good or we can focus on the bad. I choose to impact my environment.” — *Glenn Wilson*

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### Why Glenn’s Approach Matters

Wilson’s journey from aspiring athlete to transformational leader embodies what *Mission Control* is all about—ordinary people doing extraordinary things through purpose-driven work. His blend of vision, storytelling, and disciplined strategy offers a roadmap for nonprofit leaders everywhere.

For anyone looking to start or sustain a mission-driven organization, Glenn’s story is proof that **community impact begins with personal conviction**—and grows through collaboration, resilience, and relentless belief in what’s possible.

To learn more about Communities First Incorporated, visit [communitiesfirstinc.org](https://communitiesfirstinc.org).
Listen to the full conversation on the *Mission Control Podcast*, available on Spotify, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

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**“You have something to say. We just got to figure out how to channel that and how to get it out.” — Paul Schmidt**

Together, Wilson and Schmidt remind listeners that progress happens when passion meets purpose—and when people keep showing up to build better communities, one story at a time.