Coronavirus In IL: Giving Tuesday Now In Suburban Cook County

PALATINE, IL — Local businesses and organizations throughout Palatine and suburban Cook County are participating in Giving Tuesday Now on May 5 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 – in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GivingTuesday – as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19," the #GivingTuesdayNow website states.

Is your organization in Palatine or suburban Cook County taking part in #GivingTuesdayNow on May 5? If so, email all details to rebecca.bream@patch.com.

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Little City

Located at 1760 West Algonquin Road in Palatine, Little City is "dedicated to serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing the best options and opportunities to live safely, learn continuously, explore creatively and work productively throughout their lifetime. By inspiring, advocating and pursuing success with passion and purpose, lives are changed through hope, happiness, and optimism."

To donate, visit littlecitydonations.funraise.org. Additional ways to give to Little City can be viewed at littlecity.org/giving.

Partners for Our Communities (POC)

In a news release sent to Patch, POC said they are responding to meet the needs of underserved children and families living in the northwest suburbs of Chicago by launching the Cinco de Mayo Campaign on Tuesday, May 5, in conjunction with #GivingTuesdayNow.

"For 17 years, POC has celebrated Cinco de Mayo with its partnering agencies including Northwest Community Healthcare, Palatine Park District, the Village of Palatine, CCSD15, D211, Wintrust Financial, Village of Hoffman Estates, and local churches and businesses," the organization stated. "This year, POC, a culturally conscious non-profit continues to celebrate our multiculturalism and shines a light on Mexican culture through this campaign benefiting youth programs. Due to the pandemic, POC encourages people to support their local Mexican restaurants or donate at www.poc.news and hopefully next year we can raise a margarita together to celebrate. Since the virus outbreak, POC has organized service providers to provide vital resources such as food, rent, and healthcare to families. POC is on the frontline delivering essential supplies and food with the assistance of partners working remotely. This year POC celebrates 25 years of being the hub of 20 partnering agencies that provides resources and services to underserved children and families living in poverty. The term crisis has had many different meanings for each family."

Those interested in joining POC’s Cinco de Mayo #GivingTuesdayNow efforts can visit
poc.news to donate or send support to 1585 N. Rand Road, Palatine, IL 60074.

AgeOptions

A local nonprofit organization connecting older adults and their caregivers with resources. According to the organization, everyday support — especially during the upcoming global day of giving — is needed to help AgeOptions serve the 550,000 older adults and people with disabilities living in suburban Cook County, and added that many of these people are at risk of social isolation and food insecurity as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a Facebook statement, AgeOptions said the number of calls they received requesting information and assistance from at-risk adults increased by 20 percent during the first two weeks of April.

You can support the services and resources needed by those assisted by AgeOptions by visiting ageoptions.org/donate.html. More information including the services your donations fund can be found via ageoptions.org.

The Bridge Youth & Family Services

Located at 721 S. Quentin Road, suite 103 in Palatine, this organization's mission is to kids and their families overcome mental health challenges and trauma to lead happier, more successful lives.

Donate by texting "bridgeyouth" to 76278 or visiting bridgeyouth.org.

"Since 1965, The Bridge has focused on our mission to help kids and their families overcome mental health challenges and trauma to lead happier, more successful lives," the organization told Patch. "Our programs and services work to prevent childhood trauma, alleviate problems associated with experiences that have already occurred, and focus on healing families. Now more than ever, The Bridge is dedicated to our commitment to the community as we have done for more than 54years.

For more information, including the organization's commitment to youth during the coronavirus pandemic, visit bridgeyouth.org.

Elderwerks Educational Services

A not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization helping seniors, families and professionals find senior living, care, support and benefits located at 251 E. Northwest Highway in Palatine. Elderwerks continues to assist seniors and families in senior living, home care, support, and benefits during this difficult time. The organization's information, referrals and guidance are complimentary to families, as staff acts as “senior guidance counselors," according to an email sent to Patch.

Elderwerks is funded by finding housing for seniors, and any referrals are extremely important to the organization. Elderwerks also receives grants, does hold fundraisers and accepts donations. If you know anyone looking for independent living, assisted living, memory care, home care or any other type of senior housing please refer them to Elderwerks at 855-462-0100 or Elderwerks.org.

• During the COVID-19 crisis, Elderwerks has quickly adapted by offering webinars to professionals who work in the field of aging on a variety of topics presented by attorneys, financial planners, doctors, and counselors.
• Elderwerks is also offering complimentary webinars to community members who are interested in planning for their future.
• Elderwerks is sponsoring "Make a Senior Smile" which is an initiative to send letters/cards to seniors who are currently isolated.
• Elderwerks is also working with community members to sew, collect, and distribute masks to seniors in need.

Donations to Elderwerks can be made online at elderwerks.org or via this website.

Related:

• Coronavirus In IL: Area Health Centers Need PPE, Meals, More
• Palatine Businesses: What's Open, What's Closed?

Palatine Patch is also publishing a simple open or closed directory for local businesses. Here's how to get listed.