Our Mission

Respond Now exists to provide immediate relief for residents of Chicago's south suburbs who are in need, while maintaining their dignity and affording respect.

We help people through their temporary emergencies with financial assistance.

We provide food to families and individuals in need.

We provide sound referrals and counseling for other needed services.

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 RESPOND NOW LAUNCHES LITERACY PROGRAM

What’s one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty? Literacy! Yes! A lack of basic literacy skills has been linked with academic failure, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, unemployment, and welfare dependence. It is especially challenging for children who may have parents who can not read. These children tend to struggle with reading, thus perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Let’s help break the cycle of poverty and bring literacy to where it is needed most. Respond Now, an emergency social services agency has launched a literacy program, Respond Now to Reading™ designed to encourage reading, responsibility, sustainable development, and personal empowerment. With the help of the members of Zion Lutheran Church in Tinley Park, Respond Now will have a well designed and beautifully constructed Reading Room where kids can spend time while their parents wait for services. 

The program is in need of books for children ages 3-12. The agency prefers new books but will accept gently used books either in English or Spanish. For more information about Respond Now to Reading™ call 708-755-4357.
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 Can you give 3 hours a week and volunteer Monday, Wednesday or Friday? We especially need help in the afternoons. Jobs include interviewing clients, general office work, filling food bags, organizing the pantry and clothing room and especially sharing smiles to lift the spirit of others. Help others and make friends. Volunteering is good for your mental health. In order to serve approximately 2700 clients a month we need lots of caring hearts. Please help us.   Call Anita Alvarado at 708-755-4357
        Click here to volunteer

FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION PROGRAM

In the fall of 2008, Respond Now and the Jones Memorial Community Center in Chicago Heights jointly sponsored their first personal financial literacy education program for 20 participants. This program empowers participants to take charge of their financial lives and help them get out of or avoid financial problems. Our objective is to help participants develop the skills required to make informed choices on financial matters and to take positive action that improves their financial well-being.  For a curriculum we used a program called “All My Money” - offered by the University of Illinois Extension.

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 FOOD BANK IN SAUK VILLAGE

According to a recent study by the Greater Chicago Food Depository, several southern suburbs were in the top 10 communities with the highest unmet food needs. In September, 2007 Respond Now opened a food pantry at 21701 Torrence Avenue in Sauk Village. This pantry is open Tuesdays from 10am to 2pm and will serve those who meet the Agriculture Department's eligibility guidelines for getting free food. Clients must have identification that shows that they live nearby.
To volunteer or donate food to the new food bank:
Click here to donate                               Click here to volunteer

It is estimated that between 5,000 and 10,000 people annually face homelessness in the southern suburbs. The fastest growing demographic group experiencing homelessness is composed of women and children.
Click here to learn about Respond Now's Homelessness Prevention Program

Hotlines

Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center 708/747-2701 (24 hour)
Bremen Youth Services 708/687-9200 (24 hour answering service)
Child Abuse Hotline 800/252-2873
Crisis Center for South Suburbia 708/429-7233 (24 hour)
Crisis Line of Will County 708/258-3333 ( 24 hour)
National Runaway Switchboard 800/621-4000
South Suburban Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse 708/957-2854 (24 hour)
South Suburban Family Shelter 708/335-3028 (24 hour)