Organizing With Heart
CELEBRATING LYNN’S NINE YEARS AT COMMON THREADS
"God is always on the move. He’s always doing something new,” said Lynn Luekens, a recent retiree of Common Threads. “Whether I’m working at Common Threads or not, I know He will continue to do great things there.”
When Common Threads first opened its doors nearly nine years ago, Lynn was there—holding one end of the ribbon at the grand opening. Lynn is a member of Bethany English Lutheran Church, but her great-grandparents and grandparents worshiped at Trinity Lutheran Church—the same community that played a foundational role in the early days of Building Hope in the City (BHITC). Her connection to BHITC grew through her church involvement, and when she saw on social media that BHITC was opening a thrift store, she immediately knew she wanted to be part of it.
"I've always appreciated thrift stores," Lynn reflected. "When my husband and I had a baby, we started thrifting. Kids grow fast so we started buying kids’ clothes, and then clothes for ourselves. I liked the idea that items were getting a second chance."
During a career break after 22 years in the banking industry, Lynn was ready to give her time to something different as a volunteer. "I helped with whatever they needed, but I was most interested in home goods," she shared. Eventually, she asked leadership if Common Threads was hiring. An immediate "yes" launched Lynn’s second career as the Home Goods Lead—one that would leave a lasting mark on Common Threads.
As one of the first employees, Lynn witnessed firsthand the remarkable growth of Common Threads. She recalls the day the team literally tore down a wall to create the store’s furniture section. “It's been amazing to see the growth and meaningful initiatives that have been added." Among them: launching a second location in Brook Park, starting recycling initiatives for clothing and metals, and forming a partnership with the Twice Blessed Free Store to ensure nothing went to waste.
Lynn joined Common Threads before there even were clothing sorting bins. "When we first started, there were no bins or shelves," she said. "We had to start from scratch and create a system.” Over time, as donations and volunteer numbers grew, Lynn helped implement structured processes for sorting, pricing, and inventory—efforts that brought lasting efficiency and order to the store’s operations.
As a department lead, Lynn began every shift by reciting the BHITC mission statement: Advance the good of the city. Magnify the mission of Jesus. Unleash the capability of underestimated people. She wanted to stay grounded in the store’s deeper purpose of serving others in the name of Jesus. She encouraged her team to memorize it, too. They weren’t just selling goods—they were building hope.
“Lynn has been an amazing and important person to Common Threads. She has seen every iteration, from when there were 10 employees who wore all of the department hats to the specialization of today. Lynn has been a joy to work with and a steadying force. Common Threads would not be the same place without her.”
- Anthony Briggs, Director of Common Threads
Common Threads is incredibly grateful to Lynn for her faithful presence from the very beginning. Her commitment to creating a welcoming and organized space has left a lasting impact. Her legacy continues to inspire us to keep growing and serving our community well. If you’re inspired to get involved as a Common Threads employee, apply online at www.commonthreadsthrift.com/work/.
