A Just Harvest
7649 N. Paulina Street, Chicago, IL 60626, ajustharvest.org
Liaisons: Michael Petersen and Judy Pettas Wood
A Just Harvest serves nutritious, hot meals to the needy in the North of Howard neighborhood of Chicago’s Rogers Park. The kitchen began serving a few meals a week in 1983 and through its unique partnership with forty community organizations, it now provides meals 365 days a year. The kitchen serves around 150 people every evening. In addition, the kitchen has established a community organizing effort, Northside POWER to advocate for safer streets, increased access to healthcare, job training and living wage jobs for kitchen patrons and community residents. Kenilworth Union Church is one of the Kitchen’s partner congregations. On the second Monday of each month, eight to ten volunteers from the congregation purchase food off of a pre-assigned shopping list and meet at the Kitchen to provide food service. It’s a great opportunity for family and friends to experience the full impact of Kenilworth Union’s outreach ministry.
Bernie’s Book Bank
917 N Shore Dr, Lake Bluff, IL 60044, berniesbookbank.org
Liaisons: Chris Beer and Diane Welnhofer
Reading is the single most important skill a child needs. Yet many children lack access to books, and especially books of their own. That’s why Bernie’s Book Bank works so hard to provide free quality books to children in our local areas to build personal libraries. Our purpose is simple: Enable positive life experiences through book ownership. We envision a world where every child has equal access to books and the opportunities they inspire.
In order to accomplish this, we source, process, and distribute eight books annually to children, ages birth through sixth grade. Bernie’s Book Bank focuses on under-resourced communities—where children are the least likely to have access to books of their own—and delivers the age appropriate, high-interest, and culturally relevant books children deserve. We believe that books and book ownership create pathways to success, so we empower children to explore new ideas, gain knowledge, and strengthen reading skills. With the support of generous volunteers and donors, Bernie’s Book Bank is transforming children’s stories.
Bottom Line
65 E. Wacker Place, Suite 800, Chicago, Illinois 60601, bottomline.org
Liaisons: Bruce Linger and Jon Van Gorp
Bottom Line helps first generation low-income high school students get into college, graduate from college and find a job. Bottom Line has two programs: Access and Success.
The Access program supports low-income high school seniors as they navigate choosing and applying to college. Once students commit to our program, advisors help them navigate every step of the college application process.
The Success program welcomes first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds who are enrolling at one of our twelve Illinois target colleges. Advisors assist students in renewing financial aid annually and help students secure internships and part-time jobs.
This program is unique in that our advisors are full-time, trained professionals employed by Bottom Line.
Breakthrough
402 North St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60624, breakthrough.org
Liaisons: Dave Landsittel and Diane Rand
Breakthrough Urban Ministries is located in and serves residents of East Garfield Park, one of Chicago’s most under-served, high poverty neighborhoods on the west side of Chicago. Each year, Breakthrough serves 4,800 youth, families, and homeless adults through an integration of core service areas focusing on housing stability and wraparound services—employment and job creation, health and wellness, and education. Last year over 900 individuals were served by the Daytime Support Center. The Transitional Housing program served over 250 homeless adults. The Fresh Market food pantry served over 2,800 individuals and the agency’s youth program served over 800 youth.
C24/7
1348 W Howard St #1, Chicago, IL 60626, C247fam.org
Liaisons: Paul Embree and Brett Gardiner
Reaching, Serving, and Empowering our Shared Community of Rogers Park
To provide hope and a path to resurrection to the children and other citizens of impoverished communities.
C24/7 is a non-profit organization dedicated, through the power of Jesus Christ, to improving the lives of children and young adults in the North of Howard neighborhood by providing the necessary tools, security, and environment for them to thrive economically, socially, and spiritually.
Cara Chicago
237 S. Desplaines, Chicago, IL 60661, carachicago.org
Liaisons: Suzanne Hales and Vince McBrien
Cara’s mission is to unlock the power and purpose within our communities and ourselves to create real and lasting success. Through personal and professional development and access to employment opportunities, Cara serves as a leader in poverty alleviation in Chicago and beyond. Cara was founded in 1991 by Tom Owens. Tom was an entrepreneur and philanthropist who had retired early and, after being inspired by the good work of Mother Teresa, dedicated himself to empowering adults affected by homelessness and poverty to find quality employment. Since 1991, more than 6,500 people have been placed into more than 10,000 jobs and started on their path to self-sufficiency.
As no one’s journey is the same, so is no one person’s development experience. An individual will receive the training and/or job experience needed until they achieve and retain gainful employment. Through Cara’s Leadership Development, participants gain personal and professional training needed to succeed on the job. In addition Cara owns two social enterprises: Clean slate, an exterior maintenance company, and Cara Connects, a mission-driven staffing firm. Cara also runs Cara Plus, which engages leaders around the world to build and deploy their own workforce solutions based on lessons and practices steeped within their own methodology.
Community Health
2611 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, communityhealth.org
Liaisons: Ryan Cahill and Tim Dugan
Founded in 1993, Community Health is dedicated to serving the uninsured and underserved in Chicago and surrounding communities. In 2010, Community Health provided more than 25,000 medical, dental, and educational visits for more than 8,000 patients. With our comprehensive patient services and many institutional affiliations, Community Health is a leader among free clinics nationwide.
On September 27th, 2010, Community Health established a satellite site in Chicago’s south side Englewood neighborhood – a community with great need and limited resources. This new resource will allow Community Health to broaden its reach to meet the growing numbers and needs of Chicago’s most vulnerable residents and communities. It will be modeled after Community Health’s West Town facility in both volunteer structure and services offered. The newly renovated first floor health center houses eight exam rooms, a lab, dispensary, and a classroom for health education. The lower level, to be renovated in early 2011, includes four dental treatment stations and a lab.
Connections for Abused Women and Their Children (CAWC)
P.O. Box 477916, Chicago, IL 60647, cawc.org
Liaisons: Jane Dearborn and Ronald Sipiora
CAWC provides that important safe refuge and support to help women and their children take those first brave steps to ending abuse. CAWC has a number of shelters in the Chicago area open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The shelters provide core domestic violence services including: 24 hour crisis phone line, individual and group counseling services, safety planning, court advocacy, life skill development and referrals. The shelters provide multilingual services to non-English speakers.
Domestic violence is especially damaging to children who have witnessed the abuse. Not only is their own personal safety threatened, but this exposure affects their ability to learn, to establish relationships with others, and to cope with stress. CAWC provides support to child victims of domestic violence through comprehensive Children’s Services at its Greenhouse Shelter and Humboldt Park Outreach program sites. The goal of all Children’s Services is to reduce the negative impact of domestic violence by addressing safety issues as well as emotional, psychological, and behavioral consequences.
Crushers Club
1406 W. 64th Street, Chicago, IL 60636, crushersclub.org
Liaison: John Palmer
Crusher’s Club’s mission is to be the strongest alternative to gangs. They arm young people with the support and skills they need to restore their lives and improve their neighborhood. Crushers Club is rooted in four ideals—respect, discipline, ownership, and love—that gives its members a fighting chance.
From Circuit Court of Cook County, Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Division: “In the Englewood neighborhood, Crushers Club is a beacon of hope. Offering top tier boxing instruction, mentoring, and music studio workshop, it is a place where kids who have nowhere else to go can spend their time constructively, creatively and safely. Crushers Club is the number one program offered on the streets of Englewood. There is no doubt in my mind this program saves lives daily and under the leadership of Sally Hazelgrove, will continue to do so.” —Dominique Scalzetti, Juvenile Probation Officer
Deborah’s Place
2822 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60612, deborahsplace.org
Liaisons: Katherine McMaster and Jenn Ross
For over 25 years, Deborah’s Place has worked to break the cycle of homelessness through compassionate, innovative, and award-winning programs. Our dedicated volunteers and staff support women through their journeys from homelessness to permanent supportive housing with comprehensive services.
Women are especially vulnerable to the factors that contribute to homelessness—factors like chronic poverty, a rapidly changing housing market, illness, and addiction. This year in Chicago more than 12,000 women will experience the devastating effects of homelessness.
Family Matters
7731 N. Marshfield Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626, familymatterschicago.org
Liaisons: Taylor Cole and Laurie Petersen
Family Matters supports Chicago youth and their families through programs and initiatives that advance growth, leadership and achievement with support from volunteers and partner organizations.
Family Promise Chicago North Shore
PO Box 484 Glencoe, IL 60022, fpcnorthshore.org
Liaisons: Jessica LeFebvre and Holy Smirl
Families with young children in homeless situations in Chicago and its northern and northwestern suburbs are served by this agency. Family Promise helps them return to permanent housing by offering support and assistance.
Haven for Youth and Family Services
825 Green Bay Rd Suite 200 Wilmette IL 60091, havenforyouth.org
Liaisons: Susan Resko and Linda Wehrheim
Haven offers programs in prevention, intervention and private counseling in collaboration with schools and community agencies for youth and their families facing crisis. Haven has been in operation since 1976 and has grown programming to include workshops, youth groups, service-learning and more.
Hillside Food Pantry
2727 Crawford Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201, hillsidefree.com
Liaisons: Kristyn Gibson and Allison Steinback
Hillside Food Pantry began as an outreach ministry committed to showing the love of God in a meaningful way by distributing “rescued food” to people in need. It also provides an opportunity for people from all walks of life to come together for a common purpose and help make our community a better place for all of us.
Holy Family Ministries
3415 W. Arlington Street, Chicago, IL 60624 hfm.org
Lucille Resale Store & Donation
Liaisons: Liz Chandler and John Palmer
Holy Family’s mission is to nurture the healthy social, academic, physical, and spiritual development of Chicago children and youth. Equipped with intellectual curiosity, competitive academic skills, confidence, health and faith, the children in Holy Family’s care will thrive socially and academically. Holy Family School alumni will access top-performing high schools and the colleges of their choice. As adults, they will make positive contributions in their communities, churches, and families.
The school and youth development programs operated by Holy Family Ministries are open to all who enroll, and offered “first-come, first-served,” without regard to religion, race, previous academic achievement, or ethnicity.
Holy Trinity High School
1443 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60642 holytrinity-hs.org
Liaisons: Peter Hepner and John Raitt
Holy Trinity High School is a Catholic, co-educational high school sponsored by the Brothers of Holy Cross and located on the near-north side of Chicago. Holy Trinity serves predominantly low-income, at-risk teenagers from some of the city’s most challenging communities.
The school’s experience faculty and staff provide individualized attention, a challenging academic curriculum, and strong moral guidance, creating a learning environment that transforms the hearts and minds of students, allowing them to realize their goals and ambitions. Holy Trinity students develop a strong foundation based on self-respect, discipline, and social awareness. Since 2006, 100 percent of Holy Trinity graduates have achieved college acceptance.
Holy Trinity operates without public funding or funding from the Archdiocese of Chicago. Tuition payments amount to about 28 percent of the school’s operating budget. Outside scholarship agencies contribute another 18 percent, with Holy Trinity raising the remaining 54 percent from individuals, corporations, and other organizations. KUC’s support provides scholarships to three Holy Trinity Honor Roll students-who qualify for the scholarship by scoring above the 85th percentile on the school’s entrance exam, maintaining a 3.5 cumulative grade-point average, and participating in service to the school and community.
Humble Design
431 W. Pershing Road, Chicago, IL 60609 humbledesign.org/chicago
Liasions: Betsy Harootyan and Carrie Hoza
Humble Design started in Detroit a decade ago and the Chicago location began in 2017. Humble Design in Chicago has furnished homes for over 100 families – 500 individuals to date. The agency partners with local area homeless shelters and social service agencies to identify families and veterans who are emerging from homelessness and into low-incoming housing. Currently, Humble Design is furnishing two homes per week plus assisting with furnishing a shelter. U-Haul is a national sponsor and provides Chicago operation with office and storage space as well as use of trucks.