Catholic Charities' Opens Southland Regional Center in Blue Island

BLUE ISLAND, IL -- Residents and dignitaries gathered Aug. 31 at an open house and dedication ceremony of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s new South and Southwest Regional Center in Blue Island. The center is located in Blue Island’s former St. Isidore School located at 12731 Wood St. The regional center will offer intake for services, such as housing programs for families experiencing homelessness, veterans’ services, and counseling.

Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Joseph N. Perry, Catholic Charities President/CEO Monsignor Michael Boland, elected officials and local residents cut the ribbon on Catholic Charities’ new south/southwest regional digs. The building is also the home of Corazón a Corazón, a sponsored ministry of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, providing Adult ESL and after school tutoring for children. Presently, the intake center is now open at the site for people seeking assistance. In the coming months, additional supportive services will be added for veterans, counseling and housing assistance.

“Our new offices will allow us to serve our south and southwest regions in a central location that is easily accessible to those in need,” said Christopher Torres, Catholic Charities South and Southwest Regional Director. “As Catholic Charities celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, we are excited to celebrate our new space and new connections formed in the community. Combined, the South and Southwest Regions serve more than 25,000 people in need each year.”

The center will serve as a regional hub where residents in the south and southwest Cook County suburbs can tap into an array of Catholic Charities services. Parishes, schools and other communities are also invited to volunteer and donate to the officer. Further, the south and southwest regional center will network with other community groups and municipalities to strengthen the social service safety net in the area.

State Rep. Bob Rita said the new center will become a valued resource for his constituent communities in the 28th District Illinois House.

“Catholic Charities serves a wonderful mission of helping people help themselves,” Rita said. “The new center will meet a need in our communities and provide some new use for the St. Isidore School.

Catholic Charities Southwest Region includes Lemont, Willow Springs, Justice, Summit, Argo, Bridgeview, Bedford Park, Burbank, Hometown, Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, Chicago Ridge, Worth, Alsip, Midlothian/Crestwood, Oak Forest, Tinley Park, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Palos Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills.

The South Region includes the following communities: Burnham, Dixmoor, East Hazel Crest, Ford Heights, Lynwood, Markham, Phoenix, Sauk Village, South Chicago Heights, Calumet Park, Riverdale, Blue Island, Posen, Robbins, Dolton, Calumet City, South Holland, Lansing, Thornton, Glenwood, Chicago Heights, Park Forest, Richton Park, Matteson, Olympia Fields, Flossmoor, Homewood, Hazel Crest, Country Club Hills, and Harvey.

The center’s intake center is currently open to the public for those in need of services at 708-333-8379.