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Our Mission

      We have been here since 1969 answering the emergency needs of residents of the Chicago South Suburban Area (to see other human assistance agencies working near us, click here). We are a United Way agency.  Currently, in striving to help the truly needy first, we are forced to require documented verification of South Suburban residency and all circumstances of any emergency.  We are here to offer relief and a helping hand to the poor among us.  We believe in helping our neighbors because we have no doubt that CARING is the key to true community!

          Click here to donate                                                                          
     
For a list of needed items, click here and look on the right hand side of the page
   
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 Barbara Fields at 708-755-4357
       
Click here to volunteer


Pantries brace as shelves go bare... Learn the details and how you can help

 
Respond Now's major source of food is the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Click here to see their annual report.
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Memorial
Renee Rynne nee Fontaine age 73 passed away on Monday, March 3, 2008. Beloved wife of John (Jack), loving mother of Shawn Rynne and Marie (Paul) Tucker, dear grandmother of Austin, Amanda and Alyssa Tucker, fond sister of Guy Fontaine. Renee was born March 19, 1934 in Montreal and attended the Academie Saint Urban and the University of Montreal. She was a bilingual secretary in Montreal before moving to the United States upon her marriage in 1965. Renee was a longtime volunteer in the Mother & Child Nutrition Program at Respond Now, in Chicago Heights

Remembering Renee Rynne

On March 3rd, 2008, Renee Rynne, a dear friend and dedicated volunteer passed away.  Magdalena Coca-Condon writes in rememberance

Throughout her ten years at Respond Now, Renee conscientously processed the applications for the Mother and Child Nutrition Program, while she also quietly and patiently interviewed clients. She often took the time to just listen to the stories of family problems and aches and pains. On different occasions, Renee brought things from her own home for which a particular client had expressed a need. On a personal level,she was much more than an agency volunteer, she assisted me as well. In her soft spoken manner, she gave me motherly advice when I was concerned about an issue at       home or with my family in Mexico. We miss her

Magdalena Coca-Condon, Manager of the MAC Program

Memorial contributions may be made to RESPOND NOW, PO Box 215, Chicago Heights, IL 60412    Back to Top

FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION PROGRAM

Respond Now and the Jones Memorial Community Center in Chicago Heights have agreed to jointly sponsor a personal financial literacy education program that will empower 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.

Personal financial literacy is the ability to read, analyze, manage, and communicate about the personal financial conditions that affect material well-being. It includes the ability to discern financial choices, discuss money and financial issues without (or despite) discomfort, plan for the future, and respond competently to life events that affect everyday financial decisions, including events in the general economy.

Our program would be for low-income adults with sessions tailored to English speakers, Spanish speakers, and seniors.  Our program would require basic literacy skills because, at base, financial literacy requires general literacy.  For a curriculum we plan on using a program called “All My Money” - offered by the University of Illinois Extension.

Our first sessions will be offered in late summer or early fall.

COMMUNITY GARDEN

We will soon be breaking ground on a community garden located on city-owned land next door to our office on Emerald Avenue.  The only thing growing there now is broken glass. We have been in contact with the University of Illinois Extension and have received enthusiastic support on this project from several Master Gardeners at the Extension. They will help plan the garden, assist with material for the raised beds, and generally oversee the whole project  One has even arranged for a plumber to put a garden hose spigot on the side of our building. We really appreciate the expert help! The garden will be a mix of flowers and vegetables. Plots will be offered to some of our local clients so they can grow fresh produce.

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. A new pantry at 21701 Torrence Avenue in Sauk Village. This pantry will be 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

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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

 

The holidays are an especially busy time for Respond Now. To see some of our holiday activities this year click here.
Santa came to Olympia Fields for Brunch click here
                                                                                                                         

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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)

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