Non-Profits Doing Good in the Northwest Suburbs

Last week the League of Women Voters (LWV) of the Palatine Area (http://www.lwvpalatinearea.org) hosted a gathering of many of the area’s non-profit organizations to help the public learn about the good work being done to improve our community.

The LWV is a non-partisan political organization seeking to empower citizens to be come active in their democracy and improve their community, and this local League wanted to celebrate the efforts of these non-profits and their many volunteers.

All of the organizations count on fundraisers from local donors. Some are funded almost entirely this way:

Citizens for Conservation (http://citizensforconservation.org) is dedicated to saving living space for living things through protection, restoration and stewardship of land, conservation of natural resources and education, as well as

Barb’s Precious Rescue (http://barbspreciousrescue.org) shelters neglected and abused cats and adopts them out.

Others have the additional benefit of foundation or area church support:

Sierra Club (http://www.sierraclub.org/illinois/northwest-cook-county) is dedicated to exploring, enjoying and protecting the planet. Although the state budget crisis does not affect them directly, they advocate for the wild spaces that are protected by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and that organization is strongly impacted by the state budget problems.

Journeys (http://www.journeystheroadhome.org) provides shelter and services to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Cook County. Its services include counseling, showers, laundry, lockers, and a food pantry. This organization is expecting a large increase in clients as the Illinois state budget crisis forces state funded organizations to shut down.

Some depend on a variety of sources including some local governmental support:

Escorted Transportation Services (http://www.etsnw.org) provides, through its volunteers, rides for seniors to get to their doctors’ appointments. They get some of their funding from area townships.

Shelter Inc. (http://shelter-inc.org) is a community-based resource for families in crisis. They assist and protect children who have been abused, are neglected or in need by providing everything from 24 hour emergency care to longer term care.

Resources for Community Living (http://rcl2bindependent.org) supports adults with developmental and/or physical disabilities so they may achieve independent, purposeful lives in their chosen communities. This support includes person-centered programs such as housing assistance, vocational services, opportunities for social interaction, help finding jobs, managing relationships and developing daily life skills. They also depend on some state funding that has been withheld due to the Illinois budget crisis.

Access to Care (http://www.accesstocare.org) is a primary health care program for the uninsured & underinsured, although their funding by Cook County is scheduled to be cut by 50%.

Corporations are partial donors to some:

HandsOn Suburban Chicago (http://www.handsonsuburbanchicago.org) is dedicated to inspire, equip and mobilize people to volunteer and take action that builds vibrant and prosperous communities.

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (http://www.namiccns.org) is dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness, providing education and support to individuals and their families.

Housing Task Force (http://housingtaskforce.org) of the North/Northwest suburbs develops supportive housing for individuals with mental illness. Independent apartment living in these facilities is possible with on-site access to the services needed to support functioning.

Clearbrook (http://www.clearbrook.org) is a state-wide organization providing opportunities for children and adults with developmental opportunities from home based services to community work and day programming for adults up to elder care. Through the court order, the state is continuing to fund this organization, but they will need to absorb the clients of other organizations that will be shut down if the Illinois budget crisis does not end soon.

Several of the organizations mostly depend on the state for their funding and were operating in faith that they would be paid. If the Illinois budget crisis does not end soon, they would have to start shutting down some or all of their programing. These include:

Kenneth Young Center (http://www.kennethyoung.org) provides sliding scale addiction and counseling services, day and vocational programs for children through senior citizens. They have not been paid by the state since July 1. Even after a Illinois budget is passed, they are scheduled to lose $280,000 of their funding for psychiatrist services, a key factor in keeping their clients functional and out of the hospital or jail.

Bridge Youth Services (http://bridgeyouth.org) provides services for children who have problems functioning, often because of trauma in their lives. Without state funding, this organization will not to be able to do the preventative work needed to help these youth become productive and healthy citizens.

All of these organizations rely on the generosity of local citizens through their multiple fundraisers and the work of many volunteers. During this time of budget deficits they are more dependent than ever for the community to step up and support their efforts.