The Volunteer Center and New Trier Township are sponsoring a free community-wide Document Shredding and Disposal Event on Saturday, June 26 from 1-4:30 in the east parking lot of Saint Joseph Catholic Church at 1747 Lake Avenue in Wilmette. This Covid-safe, contactless, drive-through event is a great opportunity to protect your financial privacy and prevent identity theft by destroying financial and other private documents before you dispose of them. We are looking for volunteers to help unload documents from donor’s cars and loading them into the shredding truck, and to help with cleanup.
To volunteer, or for more information, email Barb Tubekis at info@volunteercenterhelps.org
The Volunteer Center and James Martin Associates Host A Special Opportunity to Honor Earth Day
Saturday, April 24th, from 9:30-11:30 am
Individuals and families are invited to participate in this year’s National Earth day theme, “Restore Our Earth” by removing invasive plants and other projects that will help restore native habitat for birds and pollinators in Harbert-Payne Woods in Evanston on the North Shore Channel.
Registration is required, as the project is limited to 30 people, ages 5 through adult
In order to accommodate safe distancing — and to facilitate small group led projects by the Woods’ lead volunteers — registration is limited. Please do not delay your reservations! To Reserve space(s), email Barb Tubekis at info@volunteercenterhelps.org. Once we have your registration we will provide you the exact park location to meet us the morning of the 24th. We will also email you a waiver to sign and bring with you from the City of Evanston as protocal. There will be some supplies available, but volunteers are encouraged to bring shovels or hand trowels, work gloves, water bottles and sun protection and Masks are required. There are no fees required, but donations are welcome for the Channel Habitat Fund to purchase more plants to support the restoration work at Herbert-Payne Park and the Ladd Arboretum.
More info About the Project and Harbert-Payne Woods
Allison Sloan, a steward of the Channel will provide information about the project and its importance of these three acres of cottonwood forest along the east bank of the North Shore Channel. Over time, the woods have become overgrown with invasive buckthorn bushes and strewn with dead ash trees killed by the invasive emerald ash borer beetle. Community members have come together to replace the invasives with native shrubs and wildflowers to provide food and cover for native songbirds, and to plant a forest of native food-producing plants for humans to educate future generations about the critical role of wild foods in our ancestors’ survival. After all, wild onions are the namesake for “Checagou” by Native Americans.
About James Martin Associates Landscaping
Project sponsor and Volunteer Center partner James Martin Associates has been designing and managing practical, creative and award-winning landscapes in the Chicagoland region since 1977. They are a nationally recognized, employee-owned landscaping firm as well as a steward of our environment. Through the use of recycled materials created at their facility and an emphasis on green and lean strategies, they do their part to help maintain the environment for their clients.
About the Volunteer Center
Established in 1960, The Volunteer Center (VC) works with over 165 nonprofit partner organizations to help individuals, families, and service groups find ways to volunteer their time and help others in the community. We also help groups develop and implement effective service-learning programs in schools, faith-based organizations and civic groups, and sponsor community Days of Service.
Additional Opportunities to Learn and Serve on MLK Day
Although we will not be hosting our MLK Day of Service in person this year, we would like to provide volunteers meaningful ways to honor the extraordinary legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We have some suggestions for individuals or families to engage in productive activities to help advance social justice in this unsettling year of racial strife. We are inviting volunteers to make the no-sew blankets that have been a part of our MLK Day of Service since we began in 2005. See below for project details and drop-off requirements.
Also listed on this page are additional educational and impactful service resources for people of all ages and interest levels.
No-Sew Blanket Project Details
I. Make your blanket(s) in your own home, then drop them off at the Community House either on MLK Day or the following Saturday. We will deliver them to local nonprofits that support at-risk and homeless communities.
II. Drop off your completed blanket(s) at the Community House on MLK Day, Monday, January 18th or January 23rd between 10am and 1pm only on both those days. The VC board members will be collecting the blankets at the Community House in Winnetka in the Pine Street Parking lot entrance with the large awning.
III. You may purchase your own four yards of fabric at a local fabric store, or buy one of the Volunteer Center’s limited supply of 36 blanket sets (includes four yards of fleece fabric) we have available for $20 each.
NOTE: If you are interested in buying one or more of our 36 blanket sets, email the Volunteer Center at info@volunteercenterhelps.org for information about how to reserve your blanket sets and when and where to pick them up. The blankets are on a first come-first served basis and we will have them available until all sets are purchased.
IV. Blanket Instructions
Additional MLK Day Educational and Service Resources
People across the United States may choose to make an immediate impact with hands-on traditional service projects that support the homeless and other poverty stricken communities, but there are other ways to honor Dr. King’s legacy of furthering equality and civil rights in a direct, educational way that helps us understand and support racial justice. This is an opportunity to honor the legacy of Dr. King, and continue his mission to empower and strengthen local communities.
*Please participate in the HEROS – Healing Everyday Racism in our Schools Virtual Workshop, Jan 17th, 2-4pm:In partnership with HEROS, the Volunteer Center is proud to invite N.E. Metro Community Members to register for this Virtual Workshop on Sunday, January 17th from 2-4pm. Educational and productive online workshop that features five breakout Session appropriate for adults, parents and teens to learn how we can become The Beloved Community. Additional information and Registration here.
A note about volunteerism in honor of Dr. MLK, Jr.: Dr. Bernice King (Daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King and Director of The King Center in Atlanta, Georgia): ”And so in terms of volunteerism, this is a marathon that we’re talking about when you are committing to eradicating, dismantling racism. It’s not a sprint. It’s not a singular act. It’s continual struggle, it’s continual work, it’s continual education, it’s continual stretching, it’s continually getting out of your comfort zone, it’s continually being willing to share power. It’s continual sacrifice.”
The United Way of Illinois Launches ’21 Week Equity Challenge. Participate!
From Martin Luther King Jr. Day (1/18) to Juneteenth (6/19), participants will complete weekly learning assignments about equity, racism, bias and more. The 15-minute assignments include readings, videos, and questions for participants to consider. Upon completion, they’ll receive a digital certificate and tips and tools to help continue the conversation in their local community. Information and registration here.
This MLK Day on Monday, January 18th, the organization 9/11 Day encourages you to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by taking a moment to visit 911day.org and performing one of the good deeds we’ve curated in observance of the 26th annual MLK Day of Service. As a federally recognized day of service, we at 9/11 Day are proud to support MLK Day. Our website features more than 50 activities you can consider for MLK Day or any other day of the year. Most of our online service ideas are 100% free for you to perform and can all be completed quickly and safely from your own home computer or mobile device.
Please take a moment now to visit 911day.org to learn more. Also consider visiting the official federal website for MLK Day as well.
Join an MLK Day On-line Observance, The Beloved Community Global Summiton January 14th and 15th
Sponsored by The King Center in Atlanta, Georgia. This is an opportunity for mission aligned individual organizations who are dedicated to creating the Beloved Community to come together and share ideas. Participants will hear from a myriad of national and international individuals who share their vision for a more just, humane, equitable and peaceful world. https://thekingcenter.org/event/2021-king-holiday-observance-beloved-community-global-summit/
From the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS – Americorps)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Historical timeline of the Day, Traditions, MLK Day Stats, and How to Observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Support the Efforts of The Lawndale Christian Legal Center (LCLC) – An Important Restorative Justice Organization
Lawndale Christian Legal Center: “We can put just justice back in the criminal justice system. We’ve already begun in North Lawndale, one of the most segregated, under-resourced and heavily policed neighborhoods in Chicago.” LCLC is working to break the arrest/incarcerate/release/repeat cycle that continues to threaten young lives and decimate the North Lawndale community. They negotiate peace within the community and help emerging adults find a more constructive solution to repair harm than incarceration. This is a valuable opportunity for those who work within the criminal justice system. Join their efforts – LCLC.net
AGE ORIENTED PROJECT RESOURCES
Your children are for the most part not too young to learn to understand ways to embrace people of all colors, abilities and cultures. Understanding the history of racism and how far we still need to go to create Dr. King’s “Beloved Community” in this country is an essential part of volunteer participation.
• Do the necessary work: Before you can take actions against racism, it’s important that you do the necessary work. You need to not only do the research to understand the issues, but need to do some self-reflection about your views on racism as well.
• Power in the people: The real solutions come from the power of the people. You need to first listen to understand the issues and then have the right people at the table.
• Move from being safe to brave: Safe won’t solve the problems that we’re in, so we have to be brave to speak truth to power. We have to challenge thoughts and know that in doing so we may make people uncomfortable.
• We created these systems of inequity: When it comes to systemic racism, it’s important to remember these systems were created by people. We are all a part of a system, and to dismantle racism we need to make individual commitments to not be silent in these environments.
• We have the power to create change: We as individuals collectively have the power to change what we’re calling, ‘systemic racism’ by starting with ourselves and making a commitment in the environments where we find ourselves. We need to ensure we are identifying and exposing systems of racism, while offering suggestions on how we build a new table with everyone at the table represented.
TEENS THROUGH ADULTS
HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST, by Ibram X. Kendi
IBRAM X. KENDI is a New York Times bestselling author and the founding director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University. A professor of history and international relations and a frequent public speaker, Kendi is a columnist at The Atlantic. In How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi takes readers through a widening circle of antiracist ideas—from the most basic concepts to visionary possibilities—that will help readers see all forms of racism clearly, understand their poisonous consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and in ourselves.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
The following questions were provided to enlist thought provoking discussion opportunities to understand Anti-Racism.
In How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi shares his own experience with racist thinking. How does his honesty help give us space to acknowledge and name our own racist behaviors and attitudes?
Kendi writes, “The only way to undo racism is to constantly identify it and describe it—and then dismantle it.” Why does he believe we need to call out racism when we see it, even if it can be uncomfortable to identify?
The book’s central message is that the opposite of “racist” isn’t “not racist.” The true opposite of “racist” is antiracist. “The good news,” Kendi writes, “is that racist and antiracist are not xed identities. We can be racist one minute and an antiracist the next.” What does it mean to have to constantly rea rm your identity as an antiracist? Is there any benefit to the fact that you can’t just decide you are “not racist” or an antiracist and be done with it?
What is the first step you, personally, will take in striving to be an antiracist? How will you check yourself and hold yourself accountable if you notice you, or someone else, is being racist?
Kendi thinks that we should assess candidates as being racist or antiracist based on what ideas they are expressing and what policies they are supporting—and not what they say is in their bones or their heart. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
Anyone who values immigrants from European countries and devalues immigrants from Latin America is guilty of racism. Have you ever been guilty of this type of racism? Discuss the unique resilience and resourcefulness people possess if they leave everything in their native country behind and immigrate to another, as Kendi examines in the chapter on Ethnicity.
There’s a stronger and clearer correlation between levels of violent crime and unemployment levels than between violent crime and race, but that’s not the story policymakers have chosen to tell. Discuss why you think this is. How might our society and culture change if policymakers characterized dangerous Black neighborhoods as dangerous unemployed neighborhoods?
Why do you think it is so hard for people to not assess other cultures from their own cultural standards? How does doing this trap people in racist ideas?
Inequities between Light and Dark African Americans can be as wide as inequities between Black and White Americans. How have you seen colorism play out in real life and/or in the media?
Kendi writes, “White supremacist is code for anti-human, a nuclear ideology that poses an existential threat to human existence.” How are white supremacists and their ideology actually harmful to all of humanity—including white people?
Kendi makes the case that to be antiracist, one must stand against all forms of bigotry. Why is standing against other bigotries so essential to standing against racism?
Kendi closes the book comparing racism and cancer. What do you think of this comparison?
Kendi believes we can defy the odds, heal society of racism, and create an antiracist society. Do you? Why is hope so central to the antiracist movement?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND DEDICATION TO SOCIAL JUSTICE!
Although we couldn’t all be together in person for our 17th MLK Day, we were joined in spirit. The variety of participants in the HEROS program and our annual no-sew blanket project provided perhaps a deeper impact than usual, as those who participated felt the spirit of community combined with a shared goal of equity.
In partnership with HEROS (Healing Everyday Racism in the Schools), The Volunteer Center invited the community to participate in HEROS’ very enligtening MLK LEGACY Workshop that focused on Dr. King’s 1965 speech in Winnetka and the concrete steps we can take locally to create Dr. King’s “Beloved Community”. Over 200 people from the township and the surrounding North Shore area participated. It was very well received and provided additional ways to be active following the event. More details on this event, and ways you can work for social justice year-round, can be found here on the HEROS website.
MLK “WEEK” No-Sew Blanket Program
As service has always been a hallmark of MLK Day, the VC also invited volunteers from the community to participate in its signature DIY fleece blanket donation program for homeless shelters and refugees. Instead of working side by side, families made their blankets independently for MLK “Week”. This year’s MLK Day remote DIY blanket program will provide over 50 blankets to Connections for the Homeless, The Night Ministry and Refugee One — with a special shout out to North Shore Country Day School for involving their parents.
We were also touched to receive a blanket from the Chiaravalle Montesorri School in Evanston’s Pan African and Caribbean Affinity group (P.A.C.). by 1st and 2nd grade class members. The P.A.C. is a group dedicated to listening, highlighting, and empowering black and brown voices within our rich and growing community.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s remote MLK activities. Looking forward to seeing you all — in person — next year!
We’ll post holiday volunteer opportunities as we receive them, so check back regularly. In the meantime, you can also peruse our listing of nonprofits and contact them directly to see if they need volunteers.
Holiday Baking Volunteers Needed
Do you enjoy baking, singing holiday songs and spreading cheer? We are looking for volunteers to sign up to support Lambs Farm Bakery & Country Store during our busy holiday season. We need help at the Bakery making delicious treats which helps provide income and meaningful employment for the farm’s residents that includes people of all abilities. Tasks that you may help with are: baking, packing, chocolate-making, labeling, cookies, bread, truffles, dog biscuits, muffins, granola, jams…it is our busy time of year so anything goes!
When: November through December, Monday – Saturday
Where: Lambs Farm Bakery and Country Store production areas
Available Shifts: 9:00 am – 12 Noon, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Contact: Angela Ramert, email asr@lambsfarm.org
Holiday Gift Program and Food Pantry Donations Needed
The New Trier township is collecting donations for their Holiday gift Program and the Food Pantry.
The current Coronavirus Pandemic is challenging us to protect our own health which also keeps others well. As a result, it has also brought us a new formula for social norms which require distance and isolation from family and friends — and make traditional ways of volunteering and human connection particularly challenging. As usual, compassionate volunteers are eager to support the frontlines as much as they can. But we will get through this together!
THE VOLUNTEER CENTER OF N.E. METRO CHICAGO’s
SAFE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Important Universal Ways to Help All Nonprofits
Donate Financial Support: If you were going to give time, give that value in other ways. Resources are needed now more than ever. Help that pet shelter, senior home, or advocacy organization that had to cancel its spring event keep its doors open. If your company gives you paid time off for volunteer time, see if they will convert that to cash to match your donated funds.
Donate technology, hardware and software: Get your company involved too. Most nonprofits don’t have these important resources to operate and promote their efforts. Work with your company to donate critical technology if possible.
Use Your Voice: Post on your social network to advocate for them and their cause.
Educate Yourself on the Issues: Awareness of issues and the impact of these environmental forces on our communities is a necessary step for us all to take action, particularly when we transition from emergency response to recovery.
Quick and (Somewhat) Easy Suggestions to Help
Donate Gift Cards from local restaurants, services, and retailers to shelters who house low income individuals, families and seniors, and residential disability facilities. Buy some for yourself and celebrate after life returns to normal.
Give Blood – Consult the Red Cross and ask how you will be protected from infection.
Be Social to Someone Lonely or in Need– but not in person! Be a friend to a homebound senior. Reach out to your neighbor, your relatives or your local senior center. Contact The North Shore Senior Center in Northfield for their suggestions –847-784-6000. Bring meals, groceries, books, etc. Connect via email, phone, Skype or Zoom with your family or a group of friends!
Take a Walk with a friend at the same time — but not the same location and route. Then chat on the phone and cheer him or her up while you walk.
Prepare Meals: With CPS closings, many students are left with no breakfast or lunch. In one community, parents are preparing “Grab and Go” boxes of breakfast and lunch for pick up at a school parking lot.
*Clean Out & Donate (when able): Use this time at home to clean out your closets and donate your gently used items to a homeless shelter (see our nonprofit list on this website) or one of the local rummage sales that donate the proceeds to nonprofits. Christ Church Winnetka and Winnetka Congregational Church. Please check their sites for updates on sales. But don’t stop that closet cleaning!
*Note:We have learned the drop-offs locations for these Rummage Sales are closed for a while to keep support staff and others safe with so much inventory. Continue your tidying, but consider putting your donations aside for a bit. Keep checking with the sales for drop off instructions and the actual Rummage Sale dates as they most likely will change as well.
SPECIFIC VOLUNTEER CENTER NONPROFIT PARTNER REQUESTS
Please support our nonprofit partners –There are many ways volunteers can continue to safely provide help and support
The Volunteer Center of N.E. Metro Chicago contacted its nonprofit partners (featured on this website) to see if they needed any support from volunteers to help them continue their unique missions. You may find additional information about each of these nonprofits by visiting this page on our website. Whether it is financial support, food or clothing donations, meal deliveries or safe social and educational connections, below is what we have heard so far. Please contact us – info@volunteercenterhelps.org if you are aware of additional needs and nonprofits that could use volunteer help and other important assistance. We will continue to update this Guide as new needs are posted.
NEW URGENT REQUEST FOR DIY or PURCHASED MASKS AND CAPS!
URGENT NEED ASAP! Great project to share with your family, friends and service groups. The Volunteer Center is responding to a volunteer who lives on the North Shore who has many family members working in the ER and on the front lines in hospitals and other medical facilities who still are in urgent need of additional PPE equipment – specifically masks and surgical caps. They are eager to receive purchased or DIY fashioned coverings for multiple uses. The Volunteer Center is helping her enlist volunteers to make the equipment. There is a minimum goal of 300 masks and 150 caps. She has identified the facilities that need them and will deliver as the VC hands them off to her. If the goal is exceeded, we will deliver to additional needs.
If you have a favorite DIY pattern, use it. If not, try these:
The Glencoe, Keilworth, Northfield, Wilmette and Winnetka Public Safety Departments have generously agreed to serve as drop-off facilities for your PPE donations.
Glencoe: drop off box inside their Public Safety vestibule located at 325 Hazel Avenue in Glencoe
Kenilworth: 419 Richmond, Kenilworth Police Station vestibule
Northfield: 1800 Winnetka Road, Northfield in front of the Fire station under the canopy by the US flag drop off box.
Wilmette: Wilmette Police Dept, 710 Ridge Road.
Winnetka: drop off box inside their vestibule located at 410 Green Bay Road in Winnetka
ALONE.TOGETHER. Let’s Make a Difference and Get This Done! More details – info@VolunteerCenterHelps.org
NEW Group Service Project Opportunity. The Lawrence Hall youth and families of our DCFS, Foster Care, Transitional Living and residential youth are in need of some supplies and items. We would love if some volunteers can assemble care packages for them. We ask that all care packages MUST be pre-made/prepackaged before drop off. All drop offs MUSTbe scheduled and set for a specific date and time. Some of the care packages are broken down below:
Transitional/Independent Living • Extra cleaning supplies, soap and food for TLP youth
• Games, books, headphones, and food for community youth
• Hygiene bags and Food bags Hygiene Bags ▪ Toothbrush/Toothpaste ▪ Deodorant ▪ Carmex/ChapStick ▪ Kleenex ▪ Soap ▪ Hand Sanitizer ▪ 8 pr. Rubber Gloves
Food Bags ▪ Microwave Popcorn ▪ Tuna Kit ▪ Microwavable Rice Bowl ▪ Pringles Potato Chips ▪ Fruit Cup ▪ (2) Rice Krispies Treats ▪ (1) Bowl of Cereal ▪ (6) Packages of Instant Oatmeal
activities for the youth to do while not in school: books, games, portable DVD players
medical supplies as needed
Foster Care
Supplies: masks, vinyl gloves, hand sanitizer, and child friendly wipes
Games for children, art supplies
General
Games, snacks, food for the youth and staff on residential units
Care packages for the staff and their families who might find themselves in need during this time
Incentive gifts for direct care staff (ie gift cards)
yardwork/garden/flowerbed planting
Please contact Lawrence Hall – Monique Davis (mdavis@Lawrencehall.org) to coordinate a date and time to drop-off care packages in bulk! All drop offs will be at our Main Campus location.
If you’re in a low risk situation, this link will take you to a form where we have several opportunities to volunteer with some of our elderly and other high-risk residents: picking up groceries or medication, helping with cleaning, or even just giving them a call a few times a week to check in and chat.
If you have stable income, this link will take you to a page where you can donate specifically to help with the cost of rent for those in our community who have been furloughed or lost their jobs because of the safety precautions enacted. We thank you in advance for any and all ways you can help.
At Lambs Farm, we currently need PPE (personal protective equipment) supplies for our staff to use while caring for participants. If volunteers are asking how they can help, please forward this request.
Masks needed. If you (or anyone you know) is able to sew, here are instructions on how to sew a mask. We have the filter inserts, but we do need help sewing these masks. If you are able to help with the masks, please let Shama Valame know by e-mailing her at svalame@clearbrook.org The mask can be dropped off or shipped to 1815 W. Central Rd. Arlington Heights IL. 60005. Thank you!!
Make a personal connection with Center for Enriched Living (CEL) members and make a real difference in their lives with CEL’s #PanPals.Many of these members have limited interaction with family members on a regular basis, and with the Coronavirus that has been compounded. With CEL’s programs transitioning to virtual, they now don’t have access to the friends and support they rely on.
Simply click https://www.centerforenrichedliving.org/panpals/ and choose a member (or members) to send a letter, card or picture to and let them know you’re thinking of them. You can also support our efforts to combat social isolation and keep our members connected by donating here. Your gifts are what allow our staff to keep working so they can deliver virtual programs for those with online access.
New Trier Township Food Pantry 793 Elm Street, Winnetka, 60093 847-446-8203
URGENT NEED! Our local New Trier Township pantry has a very diminished stock of food and paper supplies. Now more than ever, pantry users are in need of help. The pantry is eager to continue to serve these families in need. Donations of either checks or cash will help pantry staff purchase exactly what is needed. Checks should be addressed to New Trier Township Angel Fund, Inc.. Or, donate any non-perishable foods and paper goods MTW &F (closed Thursdays) between 10am and 2pm. As the township offices are on lock-down, you must call Brian Leverenz in advance847-446-8203 and set up a drop off. Something you could also do is organize a food drive with your friends and neighbors. Leave a note at your neighbors’ giving them a specific day and time you will pick up donations and then set up with Brian Leverenz the date and time you will drop off. Terrific family project while you’re all homebound together. Plan it out!
Counseling Center of the North Shore (CCNS) 992 1/2 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093 (847) 446-7787
The Counseling Center of the North Shore’s clinical staff is operating remotely, proving telehealth therapy sessions via HIPAA-compliant videoconference and telephone (www.ccns.org). However, the Winnetka Thrift Shop, the primary source of funding for CCNS, is temporarily closed. You can support CCNS in two ways: 1. Make a donation online at www.ccns.org/donate, and 2. Purchase Winnetka Thrift Shop items online at Poshmark.com, ebay.com, and soon the Winnetka Thrift Shop’s online store. Information at www.winnetkathriftshop.org.
Beacon Place 603 S. McAlister, Waukegan, IL (847) 497-5787
We are collecting food right now to distribute to our families here in Waukegan. With the shutdown of restaurants and bars, many of our families are not going to be paid for several weeks. We are in need of shelf stable food like canned goods, pasta, rice, beans, etc. All donations can be dropped off at our center located at 603 S. McAlister, Waukegan, IL p.(847) 497-5787
If anyone has any questions they may call Barbara LaFasto, Co-Founder of Beacon Place (847) 609-6768.
Family Focus of Evanston 2010 Dewey Avenue, Evanston, IL, 60201 847.475.7570
IMMEDIATE NEED – Help Line of Technical Support for parents in their after school program who are struggling with e-learning – either access or knowing what to do. Looking for volunteers who could form an online help resource.
Our early childhood team and DCFS team are receiving calls from families who have lost their jobs or hours have been severely cut who are in desperate
need of diapers, formula, food. They are loading their cars with what we have on hand and making deliveries. We could use some help with the purchasing and delivering of these items. Our teams are getting worn out. Colette Allen. Director of Evanston, Family Focus – Evanston, 2010 Dewey Avenue, Evanston IL, 60201, Ph: 847.475.7570
Meals on Wheels 847-316-1337
Currently our greatest needs are donations of hand sanitizer and financial support. Please consider a gift of either. If you are able to help with hand sanitizer please call our office (we are working remotely – calls are being forwarded to the Volunteer Coordinator at 847-316-1337 to make arrangements for drop off. If you are able to assist with a monetary gift please go to our website https://mealsonwheelsnei.org/donate
Bernie’s Book Bank 917 N Shore Dr, Lake Bluff, IL 60044 (847) 780-7323
Use your time at home to sort through children’s books (ages birth through 6th grade) that you no longer need and donate to Bernie’s Book Bank
A Just Harvest
A Just Harvest is not open for sit down meals and has suspended its food pantry until further notice. Volunteer orientations are also suspended.With the help of our partners, our nightly hot meal is being offered “to-go” from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.This also means that opportunities for on-site volunteers are greatly reduced at this time.
**HOWEVER, we could use help in the purchasing, ordering and/or delivering of supplies. (please find LIST here). Financial gifts are crucial in sustaining our work in this crisis. (please DONATE here).
The Sports Shed
Due to the COVID-19 situation and the NCAA Tournament cancelation, the Sports Shed Bracket Challenge has been cancelled. We are thinking of all athletes and families who are facing sickness, disappointment and hardship at this time. If you would like to still donate to make summer AAU basketball possible for girls in programs like Lady Reign Basketball please do so below.
Lady Reign gives 80 girls on six teams the opportunity to compete in tournaments that set them up for higher level of play and possible scholarship opportunities.
Affordable Tele-Mental Health Services. We are here for you by Zoom or phone: Call 847-441-5600 x 1 to schedule an appointment. Tele-psychiatry • Tele-therapy-Case management • The Living Room (ages 18+) • Supported employment (ages 18+)
Our Living Room is a free service staffed by Peer Specialists. To talk with our Peer Specialists, call 847-496-3170 Monday-Friday between 9am – 5pm and Saturday 9am – 2pm.Josselyn accepts Medicaid, Medicare, most private insurance, and we have a sliding fee scale. If you have other medical questions, please consult with your primary care physician or pediatrician.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO HELP YOU DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME
Make a Donation in Honor of YOUR Super Hero Volunteer Here
