About
Kernovate
Kernovate Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a circular mattress recycling and social services program in Bloomington, Illinois.
Mission Statement
Diverts mattresses and box springs from McLean County landfills through deconstruction and material recovery, generating the operational revenue that funds the organization's social programs.
Inspects, sanitizes, and delivers recovered mattresses to households in crisis through a referral network of Continuum of Care agencies, shelters, and nonprofit partners.
Provides stable employment and green job training to individuals facing significant barriers to employment — including those transitioning out of homelessness, addiction recovery, and incarceration.
Organizational Model — The Continuum
Through three integrated programs, Kernovate addresses solid waste diversion, housing instability, and workforce barriers simultaneously — creating a direct pathway from crisis to self-sufficiency within a single organizational structure.
Origin
It started with a simple observation: perfectly good mattresses were being thrown away while families just miles away were sleeping on the floor.
Founder Kerry Kern saw an opportunity to bridge this gap. What began as a small project in a garage has grown into a full-scale recycling and delivery operation, partnering with local agencies, waste management facilities, and community organizations. What began as mattress diversion has expanded into a full circular infrastructure model, integrating environmental recovery with housing crisis response and workforce reintegration.
Message from the Founder
Kerry Kern
Co-Founder & Treasurer
Kerry shares the story behind Kernovate — how a simple observation about waste and need became a fully operational circular recovery system serving McLean County.
Leadership
Daniel Kern
Executive Director
Daniel brings dedication and a shared vision for community impact to the Kernovate board, helping guide the organization's integrated mission of environmental recovery and workforce reintegration across McLean County.
Kerry Kern
Treasurer
With over 20 years of experience in community organizing and logistics, Kerry manages Kernovate's financial operations with passion and a hands-on approach. He believes that every item has value and every person deserves dignity.
Emily Borst
Secretary
Emily is a committed advocate for sustainable community solutions, contributing her expertise to help Kernovate grow its recycling operations and expand the BEDS and WORKS programs to reach more families and workers.
Open Position
Board Member
We are seeking a dedicated community member to join our board. Reach out to us.
Open Position
Board Member
We are seeking a dedicated community member to join our board. Reach out to us.
Get Involved
Join the Infrastructure
We are always looking for volunteers, board members, and partners. Together, we can build a more resilient community system.