Holding hands together at Hope's Front Door

A volunteer at Hope's Front Door in Downers Grove, Linda Schranz, shares her personal story.

I joined Hope’s Front Door about ten years ago. As a working mom, I wasn’t able to help out during the day, but after Hope’s Front Door began offering services on Monday night, I was eager to volunteer.

I was well acquainted with Hope’s Front Door at that time since it is currently housed in the church I belong at First Congregational United Church of Christ had many friends who already volunteered there. In my 20’s, I had worked at a crisis intervention center where we communicated with clients who called in on our hotline.

Although I was comfortable in providing information and referrals, I had not worked with clients in person. And this is what I personally find so rewarding at Hope’s Front Door. We are working with real people, not stereotypes or statistics. We see the tears of frustration when they walk in, overwhelmed by their situations and unsure of where to turn. And even if we cannot completely solve their problems, we listen,we hold their hands. We acknowledge them and offer what help we can give. And yes, we do provide them with hope.

Hope’s Front Door has grown so much in the 10 years I have worked for them. Not just physically, but in terms of opportunities for our clients. The job list has gone from one page to two, printed double sided. The banking program has provided many of our clients with real value, both monetarily and educationally. The job fairs, the back to school supply distribution, the job coaching, all have had an impact on our clients’ lives.

My only regret is that we can’t do more! I have worked with women who are single, who have children, who have earned an associate degree from College of DuPage, who are stuck. Many of them work at our local hospital, where they are kept on as part-time workers so that they are not eligible for benefits.

Sometimes their children have health problems and they need time off to take their children to doctors and clinics for tests. Being part-time, they lose money just as they need to pay out more money. These are the kind of people I wish we could provide more help to. They are trying to make a better life for themselves and their children, but are just one paycheck away from disaster.

And yet, they are grateful for whatever we CAN do – provide them with a tank of gas, or help them get enough groceries to get them through to next payday. These little things, that don’t mean much to those of us with means, are so important and life-changing to our clients.

Learn how you may assist or use your own creative methods to help spread the news about Hope's Front Door. Encourage your community to support there work. Hope's Front Door serves the following communities; Darien, Downers Grove, Lisle, Westmont, Willowbrook, and Woodridge. Please click on there website(www.hopesfrontdoor.org) to learn more or contact them at 630-322-9803.