Grundy County Nonprofit Wish List Project
Nonprofits
Often, especially at year-end, donors and Donor Advised Funds ask us “What do local charities need?” We usually have good answers because we network with you all the time. But sometimes we need a little more intel and want to help you kick-start your brain.
Therefore, we invite all nonprofits serving Grundy County (charities, social service agencies, churches, schools, libraries, villages, park districts, etc.) to complete and return this Wish List questionnaire. Once received, we will place them on our website and market it to donors and the public at large.
Please don’t be shy about dreaming big (new building, new program, additional staff) as well as small (furniture, paying electric bill, new copier, garden benches, money to help clients with un-met needs). Even with all of the marketing, communications, and social media that we nonprofits do, it’s not often that we talk about our dreams and wishes – we’re so busy trying to provide the basics.
But over the years we’ve been able to tell one of your stories to a donor who responds with “Good. I’ll donate to that.” Years ago, a local agency needed air conditioning. With a few “challenge” phone calls, we were able to gather the money they needed. Another time we were able to pair a donor with the work of one charity to benefit the clients of a different charity. We have many more examples - it happens often.
What’s in it for the Community Foundation of Grundy County? It’s a project in direct response to a request from one of our Donor Advised Funds who doesn’t want to spend time doing their own reading and research. So rather than limit it to one donor, let’s open it up to all nonprofits and all donors of all shapes and sizes. We make no promises of the results, but we believe it will engage donors and potential donors.
At times philanthropy feels like it’s only for the wealthy, which we know is not true. We know there are plenty of Grundy residents who would donate to something specific – if they knew what that something specific is. This Wish List Project is an attempt to help donors better understand the nonprofit needs of Grundy County.
Donors
We hear you when you say, "It's difficult to give money away."
There's all sorts of reasons, but we believe we have the beginning of an answer: We have surveyed the nonprofits who serve Grundy County to ask them questions about their financial needs, volunteer needs, and dreams for their organizations. As we receive them we will post them here for your review.
If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to the contact directly. If you would like to donate cash, stock, or a tangible item from their list, please go directly to them. If you would like to set up a donor-designed fund for a specific nonprofit or an issue affecting Grundy County, please call us to learn how to do that.
Our plan is to make this report helpful to you. If it isn't, we invite you to call or visit to tell us what information you would like to help you meet your charitable goals and improve the quality of life in Grundy County!
Please scroll down to view the Wish Lists provided by area nonprofits. Maybe they have a wish that you can fund!
Wish Lists provided by nonprofits serving Grundy County
Mission of the organization: We are a faith based organization providing service to people in need and calling others of good will to do the same.
Vision of the Organization: Inspired by Christ’s love and teachings, we will have a well-integrated presence in the seven counties of the Diocese of Joliet providing the most professional, responsive and compassionate service to those in need.
What services does your organization provide: A comprehensive social service organization providing resources and support to aging and disabled individuals and people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Three things this organization does really well:
- Provides high quality services to address households experiencing a housing crisis
- Provide resources and support to older adults and people with disabilities.
- Connect people in need with additional supportive community resources
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Have a greater presence within Grundy County.
- Increase awareness of agency services among people who may be in need.
- Continuity of staffing in Grundy County.
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Gift cards for food, gas and household items for people experiencing a financial crisis.
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- Hire full-time outreach person to work in Grundy County to connect county residents to Catholic Charities aging and disability services
- We would like an advertising budget, or access to reduced cost or free advertising for programs and services available in Grundy. Currently we rely solely on press releases and church bulletins that have limited reach.
- Funding to hire additional staff to focus solely on Grundy County needs
- Additional office hours to be more accessible to residents.
Can donors come for a site visit? No
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Serve as Senior Companion Volunteers
- Serve as Money Management Mentors
- Serve as Long Term Care Ombudsman Volunteers
- Join a Multi-Disciplinary Team (Advisory) Committee for Adult Protective Services
- Join an Advisory Committee for the Money Management Program
- Join an Advisory Committee for the Senior Companion Program
Contact:
Courtney Suchor
611 E. Cass Street
Joliet, IL 60432
815-774-4663
Website: https://catholiccharitiesjoliet.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccjoliet/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/catholic-charities-diocese-of-joliet/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholic_charities_joliet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CathCharJoliet
Name of Executive: Glenn Van Cura
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: CCR&R promotes and facilitates affordable, quality child care through assistance, education and advocacy in Will, Grundy, Kendall, and Kankakee counties.
What services does your organization provide: Child Care Assistance Program; Child Care Referrals; Early Head Start programs; Preschool for All programs; Provider Professional Development; ExceleRate Illinois TA
Three things this organization does really well:
- Assist families find and pay for quality child care
- Assist providers in meeting their professional development needs
- Work with community collaborations to serve young children and families
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Provide resources to families other than child care subsidy and referrals
- Strengthen relationships in outlying areas of our service area
- Engage child care providers who do not participate in the Child Care Assistance Program
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Baby care items for families, including but not limited to diapers and wipes
- New chairs for our lobby (currently have only folding chairs)
- New and age appropriate materials for in-home child care provides
- Catered meals for staff appreciation (current grant does not allow for purchase of food items)
- Promotional items or giveaways for marketing purposes (current grant does not allow for purchase of promotional items)
- Facility improvements for center-based child care programs (for example: paint touch up; building repairs)
- New carpeting/flooring for our Joliet Office location
- Technical support to redesign/relaunch our current website
- Family activity materials for our CCAP lobby (ex. art supplies)
- Health and safety items for our exempt in-home providers, including but not limited to smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- To assist those families that don't meet the income level for child care financial assistance but still struggle covering child care costs
- Offer more mental health services to our service area with a focus on early childhood
- Create an all inclusive resource center for families
- Increase staff wages
- Develop a comprehensive parent education/support program
- Assist center-based providers in maintaining highly qualified and trained staff (address current staffing shortage in Illinois ECE programs)
- Host a family activity at our Joliet or Kankakee office locations
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Assist with marketing efforts
- Facilitate a training for the providers/community on an area of expertise
- General office work
Contact:
Valerie Varju, CCR&R Director
Joliet, IL 60435
815-741-1163 Ext. 267
Website: www.childcarehelp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/childcareresourceandreferral
Name of Executive: Rita Armstrong
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: To give children nourishment to start each school day with
What services does your organization provide: Individual food items to be put in child’s backpack each Tuesday and Friday
Three things this organization does really well:
- Build a business plan for the future
- Five years successfully providing food
- Getting community involved with packing and delivering
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Afford organic or more healthier options
- Raise consistent money to support
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Individual food items - not full sized items
- Space to keep our inventory & packing
- A van/trailer to get food or deliver bins
- Consistent volunteers
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- Provide more than 6 individual food items
- A storefront to keep inventory and to do packing
- A van to pick up food and deliver food to schools
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Packing
- Pick up food from stores
- Deliver bins to schools
- Pick up empty bins from schools
Contact:
Cherie Sieger
Coal City, IL 60416
7732593403
Facebook: Coal City Backpack Program
Name of Executive: Cherie Sieger
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: We provide meals and resources to older adults and persons with disabilities assisting them in leading active and healthy lives.
What services does your organization provide: We provide meals and resources both Home delivered Meals and Community Cafe opportunities
Three things this organization does really well:
- We Feed people consistently
- We have delivered or fed in our cafe over 30,000 meals each year
- We provide education to the community about senior programs available
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Volunteer Recruitment
- Community Outreach
- Provide more programming - with more people
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- New Ice Maker
- 2 replacement kitchen carts
- Double Door Stainless Freezer
- WeatherTech Seat covers for back seat of both vehicles
- Coat rack
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- $50,000 to help feed our Home Delivered Participants
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Drive - deliver meals
- Home Delivered Meal packing
- Help in our cafe
- Help promote our programs
- Occasion Special Event Help - Cruise Night booth, Corn Fest
Contact:
Patty Strahan
MORRIS, IL 60450
8159411590
Website: https://cnnssa.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnnssa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mealsonwheels_ni/?hl=en
Name of Executive: Lauren Doherty
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: As people with disabilities and their advocates, the Disability Resource Center strives for equality and empowerment of persons with disabilities in the Will and Grundy areas. We inform persons with disabilities of their rights, educate them about their responsibilities, provide support services, promote advocacy, and raise community awareness about disability issues.
What services does your organization provide: Advocacy, Information and Referral, Independent Living Skills, Peer Support, and Transition Services (Move consumers out of nursing homes and transition students)
Three things this organization does really well:
- Advocate
- Go the extra mile for our consumers
- Our 5 core services (listed above)
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Expand our services more to Grundy County
- Reach more people with disabilities
- Get more people with disabilities on our board of directors
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Prizes for fundraisers
- 3 new computers for our computer lab
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- Prizes for fundraiser coming up in March
- A smart board
- 3 new computers for our computer lab
- An area (office space) for independent living classes with kitchen, laundry room, etc.
- Affordable, accessible housing
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Advocate for themselves and people with disabilities
- Assist with mailings
- Assist with computer classes
- Assist with fundraising
Contact:
Missy Martin
77 N. 129th Infantry Drive
Joliet, IL 60435
815-729-0162
Website: https://drcjoliet.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DRCJoliet/
Name of Executive: Missy Martin
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: Easterseals Joliet Region provides exceptional services, education, outreach, and advocacy so that veterans, people living with autism and other disabilities can live, learn, work and play in our communities.
Vision of the Organization: Easterseals Joliet Region are: 1. to assure that our services are always of the highest quality. 2. to provide customer satisfaction. 3. to create a work environment which is challenging, fulfilling, enriching and empowering for all of our employees. 4. to be fiscally responsible. 5. to maintain high quality facilities and equipment. Easterseals Joliet Region is an enduring resource within the community that enhances the quality of life for persons with disabilities. A recognized leader and provider of choice. Offering innovative and cost effective solutions. Working in partnership with the broader community. The leading choice for contributions by donors. Easterseals Joliet Region has served the community since 1949. Easterseals Joliet Region is an agency of the United Way, affiliated with National Easterseals. Licensed by the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Programs CARF for the following: Community Services, Child and Youth Services, Personal and Social Services, Foster Family Services, Foster Family Services for Children and Adolescents and Community Living Services.
What services does your organization provide: Adult Services: The goal of Easterseals residential programs is to provide options for assisted living in community settings, to maximize independence in activities of daily living, to promote the achievement of vocational potential, and to foster communi
Three things this organization does really well:
- Autism Diagnostic Clinic
- Pediatric Therapy
- Residential and Social Services
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- receive more money from grants, foundations and donors
- decrease our waiting list
- with more money we could expand our communications and public relations
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- residents day to day needs in our CILA program
- a vegatable garden that could be maintained by our clients
- a store to sell items for the Adult program to work at and be responsible for.
- no waiting lists for our childrens' programs
- therapeutic support for our resource center (Autism)
- donate gently used or new children's books for our "little library"
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- increase staff to help with the waiting lists
- therapy equipment that needs to be updated
- expand space for our Autism program
- additonal space in our building for a updated Day Programs
- triple the amount of resource development revenue
- provide additional parking for staff with safety features, lights, paved area
- increase communications, social media and public relations in our six county region
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- plant gardens at our eight residential homes
- help with our ten summer programs
- volunteer at our three special events
- provide lunch to our care-giver support program
- provide dinner to our traumatic brain injury support group
Contact:
Deb Strahanoski
Joliet, IL 60435
1.8157302052e+11
Website: https://www.easterseals.com/joliet/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastersealsjolietregion
Name of Executive: Deb Condotti, President/CEO
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: To provide parent training to parents of children prenatal to three years of age so that all children develop a strong foundation for learning.
Vision of the Organization: To collaborate with parents, schools, and the community to strengthen parent-child relationships, reinforce parenting skills and promote child growth and development.
What services does your organization provide: Home Visiting, Community Birth to Three Screenings, All Age Parenting Classes
Three things this organization does really well:
- Collaborates with others.
- Takes calculated risks.
- Reflects about the work we do.
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Increased fundraising.
- Outreach for the target population.
- Use of interns and volunteers.
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- New car seats and booster seats for eligible clients.
- boxes of tissues
- car emergency kits
- reams of copy paper
- small vacuum cleaner-bagless
- area rug
- Swiffer wet jet with pads
- funds to purchase parenting books and workbooks
- funds to send staff to Parents as Teachers Conference
- funds to provide community wide birth to three screenings
- volunteers for fundraising on our program's behalf
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- To be able to provide home visiting to any family with young children, not only those at risk of school failure.
- Unrestricted funding to diversify reliance on state money.
- For every family to have knowledge of birth to three developmental screenings
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- fundraising
- promote our social media presence
- provide childcare for parent group events
Contact:
Christine Sparks
530 Bedford Road Unit 7
Morris, IL 60450
8159275492
Website: https://parentasexpert.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastersealsjumpstart/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastersealsjumpstart/
Name of Executive: Debra Condotti
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: Know the Story, Become the Story, Tell the Story, Celebrate the Story
Vision of the Organization: Living His Story
What services does your organization provide: Church
Three things this organization does really well:
- High Quality Worship Services for the area
- Children's and Students Ministry
- Preschool
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Update and Improve Facility
- Reaching Community Better
- Better Online Presence
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Air Conditioning units for our Worship Center
- New Lighting for Worship Center
- New AV equipment in building
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- Pay off our Debt
- Full remodel of facility
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Building/Grounds Maintenance
- Children/Student Sponsors
- Musical and Tech help for Sundays
- Volunteers for big events
Contact:
Alicia Van Duyne
Morris, IL 60450
815-942-3454
Website: https://fccmorris.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fccmorris/
Name of Executive: Scott Zorn - Lead Minister
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: We are volunteers at Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area
Vision of the Organization: Our mission is to understand, maintain and attract the public to the park by producing various festivals, educational events, and display's centerd around early life on the prairie and the natural environment of the park. We also provide assistance and funds as needed by the park and its staff for educational materials and supplies.
What services does your organization provide: Educational events, programs, and opportunities to learn more about the outdoors and the prairie.
Three things this organization does really well:
- Our festivals bring many new and returning visitors to the park.
- Volunteering at the visitor center desk gives us the opportunity to meet many people and explaine and answer their questions about nature and the park environment.
- We encourage others to join our projects and endeavors.
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Find more members.
- Reach more people to come outdoors at GLPSNA.
- Keep the park visitor center open on all weekends.
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Service. We meed more volunteers to assist in keeping the visitor's center open on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Volunteers to help keep center open during weekdays as needed.
- Volunteers to help with weaving projects and office work.
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- Donate more funds to the improvement of the Visitor Center
- Donate more funds toward the improvement of our roads in the park.
- Continue upkeep of the canvas on the wagon and netting over the butterfly barn.
- Do more activities for the various age groups.
- More hours open in the visitor's center.
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Work the Center desk.
- Help with displays and bulletin boards.
- Weeding flower gardens.
- Assist with weaving rag rugs for sale in the gift shop.
- Learn more about flowers and plants so they can be a resource for visitors.
- Assist with upkeep of our new library.
- Volunteer to work our festivals and Photo Contest/Exhibit.
- Encourage wagon rides and prairie walks on the trails.
Contact:
Charlene McDade
5010 N. Jugtown Road
Morris, IL 60450
815-953-4567
Website: https://gooselakeprairie.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prairiepartners2012/
Name of Executive: Mrs. Charlene McDade
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: To provide shelter, services, and support for anyone experiencing homelessness in the Grundy County area.
Vision of the Organization: We envision a Grundy County where people experiencing homelessness:
- Find REFUGE.
- REBUILD with the support and services necessary to gain self-sufficiency.
- REINVIGORATE a sense of purpose in the community.
What services does your organization provide: Seasonal Emergency Shelter (mid October through April). Rapid Rehousing for literal homeless individuals. Weekly meals (St. Vincent's Table) in Coal City Area (Monday nights) and Morris (Thursday nights).
Three things this organization does really well:
- Provide seasonal Shelter for nearly anyone in our area. We provide a safe, warm environment, warm dinner, breakfast, and a bag lunch for the next day.
- Once we receive a referral for homeless person from our Continuum of Care, we usually can get someone housed within 1 month.
- Work with guests / clients to identify needs and connect them with those who can provide those needs, IF we do not.
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Extend our Emergency Shelter to cover more of the year.
- Assist with Transportation.
- Assist in obtaining more timely Mental Health / Substance Use counseling.
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Transportation - A means of obtaining and maintaining a vehicle.
- Utility Assistance - outside periods that LiHeap provides assistance.
- Legal Assistance for guests / clients.
- Access to Showers and Washers/Dryers that would NOT be an expense to our guests / clients.
- Employment for guests / clients with criminal backgrounds.
- Social activities that would NOT be an expense to guests / clients (such as movies or restaurants).
- Gas Cards for those having vehicles.
- Fast Food gift cards for those needing warmer daytime places to stay.
- Assistance covering previous fines and back-payments (such as past utility fines or vehicular tickets received).
- Access to mentors for overcoming challenges of homelessness.
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- A permanent shelter / drop-in center.
- A transitional housing building.
- Low-Income, affordable housing.
- Access to individual vehicle for transportation.
- More timely and more frequent access to Mental Health / Substance Use Counseling.
- A means to provide employment to those with serious mental or physical issues.
- Additional Case Management Staff.
- Full-time employees to staff Emergency Shelter / Transitional Housing.
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Staff Emergency Shelters - one shift (or more) monthly - 3 shifts: 7 to 11 PM; 11 PM to 3 AM; 3 AM to 7 AM EVERY day of the week.
- Donate non-discretionary funds.
- Provide move-in and cleaning assistance to those entering and leaving apartments.
- Provide transportation for guests and clients to various locations for appointments.
Contact:
Phil Wardlow
1802 N. Division St.
Suite 510
Morris, IL 60450
815-685-8098
Website: https://www.grundypads.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grundyareapads/
Name of Executive: Phil Wardlow
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: To Preserve, Protect, and Promote the health and well-being of Grundy County.
Vision of the Organization: Healthy people, Thriving communities, Vibrant futures
What services does your organization provide: Nursing: Immunizations, communicable disease investigations, WIC. Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder: individual and group therapy, psychiatric services. Environmental Health: restaurant, well and septic inspections and permitting. Senior Program
Three things this organization does really well:
- Collaborate inter and intra agency.
- Provide services to a population (Medicaid) that has fewer options of care.
- Creatively use existing resources.
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Marketing of services
- Recruitment, retention and development of staff
- Succession planning of staff
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Support of annual 5k so that all monies raised could aid in client needs.
- Digital scales (2) for adults and (1) for pediatrics
- Functional clinic enhancements: counters, cabinets, sinks, exam tables, etc.
- Waiting room furniture (small chairs, couches, tables, lamps)
- Locked medication cabinet
- Hand washing kits (learning tool for kids)
- Child therapist
- Child psychiatrist
- Unrestricted funding to aid in special programming: Community Support Group outings (bowling, movies, brown bag lunches on the courthouse lawn)
- General client needs: rent, utilities, emergencies
- Psychiatric meds training for non-psych staff
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- Unrestricted funding to be used for client needs at the discretion of staff.
- Non-traditional office hours in a secure building
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- n/a
Contact:
Michelle Pruim
1320 Union Street
Morris, IL 60450
8159413113
Website: https://www.grundyco.org/health/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gchd.illinois/
Name of Executive: Michelle Pruim
Is your organization a 501c3? No
Is your organization a unit of local government? Yes
Mission of the organization: Our main focus is to help these families while they are enduring loss, trauma, poverty and hardships.
Vision of the Organization: GCHH is funded by donations, grants and fundraising events throughout the year from the public. All funds collected go towards the annual event in December where first responders are partnered with a volunteer and a child(ren) in need to purchase necessities. These necessities include coats, hats, gloves, boots, shoes, clothes, etc. Additionally, the child and their families attend a luncheon afterwards with Santa where not only do they get to eat a wonderful meal with their heroes but pick out toys that have been collected throughout the year from toy drives. It is a day where families get to be lifted up by their community and smile.
What services does your organization provide: Assisting less fortunate children and their families during the holiday season, to lessen the burden of families who have suffered some kind of hardship.
Three things this organization does really well:
- Help less fortunate "needy" families in difficult times
- Help bridge the gap between local law enforcement, first responders and our community
- Enrich our community
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Expand our NFP capabilities to include even the smallest towns in our County
- Increase our capabilities to help even more needy families in our community, there are still families we have not reached and don't know we are here to assist
- Spread the word about our organization so more people become involved
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Monetary Donations
- New Toys to be given out at our main event in December to the children selected for this event.
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- Be able to extend our services to every family in Grundy County facing hardships or trauma, so we could help take the burden off them
Can donors come for a site visit? No
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Volunteer at fundraising events
- Help at our main event "Shop with a Local Hero" in December
- Volunteer to help get and collect donations for fundraising events
- Make more people aware of our Organization & what we can assist with
- Help us obtain names or families in need we can reach out to
- Make reminder phone calls for events
- Make calls to obtain sponsors and donations
Contact:
Wendy Briley, President
PO Box 116
Minooka, IL 60447
815-200-6957
Website: www.gchhinc.org
Facebook: Grundy County Heroes & Helpers Inc.
LinkedIn: N/A
Instagram: N/A
Twitter: N/A
Other: N/A
Name of Executive: Wendy Briley, President/Director
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: To provide quality affordable living opportunities for all program qualified residents of Grundy County, IL.
What services does your organization provide: Affordable housing; food pantry; resident library;
Three things this organization does really well:
- Stretch resources to meets needs.
- Find creative solutions to difficult problems.
- We go to extraordinary lengths to help our residents.
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Better internal staff communication.
- Seek out additional administrative staffing resources.
- Ground and buildings always need ongoing maintenance and improvement.
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Land for future development.
- Cash for unexpected residents needs - rent, medical bills, transportation, etc.
- Integrated information management system for accounting, billing, admission, income recertifications, and maintenance work orders.
- Cash for pre-development costs to construct additional affordable housing.
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- Additional homes.
- Rehab of existing facilities.
- Onsite clothing resources.
- Onsite, on demand food resources at every development.
- Provision of medical expenses.
- Provision for transportation expenses.
- Additional community facilities for resident and public use.
- Recreational facilities for residents and the public.
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
Contact:
Brent Newman
Morris, IL 60450
815-942-6198
Website: https://gcha.vip/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grundyhousing
Name of Executive: Brent Newman
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? Yes
Mission of the organization: Our mission, collectively as an agency and as individual officers, is to provide an exemplary level of service and protection to the residents and businesses of Grundy County and to all those who may visit, work in, or travel through our communities.
Vision of the Organization: We will serve the local communities through professional conduct at all times and the enforcement of criminal and traffic laws without prejudice or bias and with respect for the rights of all people.
What services does your organization provide: Currently the D.A.R.E. Program is taught at Braceville Elementary School, Gardner Grade School, MVK Middle School, Nettle Creek and South Wilmington Grade School.
Three things this organization does really well:
- We do a great job of teaching students awareness about drugs and alcohol.
- We do a great job of promoting positive self-esteem, coping with bullying and how to report it to a responsible adult.
- We do a great job of teaching students situational problem solving skills.
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- D.A.R.E. lacks materials on vaping and I have to conduct research and find information.
- Some of the material is outdated or on the verge of being outdated. I again have to add information while still following the curriculum.
- D.A.R.E. curriculum has to be followed and does not leave much time to introduce new material.
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Epson - VS250 SVGA 3LCD Projector
- Portability presentation cart
- Portable speakers
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- I'm creating a portable classroom that I can easily transport from school to school.
Can donors come for a site visit? No
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
None at this time.
Contact:
Deputy Kenneth Unland
Morris, IL 60450
815-545-9759
Website: https://www.grundyco.org/sheriff/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrundyCountySheriff/
Name of Executive: Sheriff Ken Briley
Is your organization a 501c3? No
Is your organization a unit of local government? Yes
Mission of the organization: Veterans assistance and advocacy
What services does your organization provide: veterans benefits and programs
Three things this organization does really well:
- We are the subject matter experts on Veterans benefits.
- We work with all resources, veteran and non veteran to meet the needs of our veterans.
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Time and staffing to better support homeless and at risk homeless veterans and families
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- unrestricted funds to meet unmet needs after all other resources have been exhausted
- additional drivers for our transportation program
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- an apartment building, 6-8 units
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- none at this time
Contact:
Ken Buck
Morris, IL 60450
815-941-3152
Website: https://www.grundyco.org/veterans-assistance/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrundyCountyVeteransAssistanceCommission/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grundycountyvac/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcvac
Name of Executive: Ken Buck
Is your organization a 501c3? No
Is your organization a unit of local government? Yes
Mission of the organization: to collect, preserve and display history of the county
Vision of the Organization: to save more of the county history
What services does your organization provide: we are a research facility for obituaries, newspapers, books, high school year books, vertical information files, etc. plus present our items in the Museum space
Three things this organization does really well:
- display historical artifacts
- retain and add to our records of vertical information files
- create on Past Perfect software an inventory of our artifacts (ONGOING)
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- store things in a better manner (locateable)
- discover a way to inform Grundy County residents that we exist
- Add new tech to have tv's display some of our educational movie presentations and make it more interactive
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- we would like to have a lighting (LED) set up in our tool shed to highlight each item in the tool shed display.
- A new reception desk - the one we have is functional but cannot have much on it before it collapes.
- Lateral 4 drawer file cabinet (1)
- We had a bathroom leak and need a new tile floor in bathrooms and wide hall area of the Museum.
- Foyer of museum also needs new tiling
- Need storage shelves - not urgent but will need in future
- Lights on outside of our building (east side) it is dark and dangerous at night.
- Finish out an unfinished room on floor which needs electric, lighting, and drywall, painting.
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- We would enclose an area of the Museum that is NOT climate controlled and which is open at the top and bottom. An estimate is being created by Narvick Builders so we will have an official estimate of the cost of this.
- Buy more space at the back of the building we currently are using. because we need more storage
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Enter information on Past Perfect
- Help set up new exhibits
- Organize stock room (supply room)
- Volunteer as a greeter at door/direct visitors
- After our Festival of Trees we need clean up volunteers (1 time a year)
- Maintenance help (replace light bulbs , hang photos
Contact:
Donna Sroczynski
510 W. Illinois Avenue
Morris, IL 60450
8159424880
Website: https://www.grundycountyhs.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/471560306257819/
Name of Executive: Donna G. Sroczynski
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: Hope Helps is dedicated to promoting local scholarships, research & advocacy for the needs of individuals diagnosed with autism and their families throughout Will and Grundy counties in IL as well as building & expanding all-inclusive playgrounds in our s
Vision of the Organization: All-inclusive, accepting and loving communities for everyone!
What services does your organization provide: Scholarships/Grants, All-Inclusive Playgrounds, IEP Resource Help, Family Guidance, Referrals for services
Three things this organization does really well:
- Provide Resources
- Scholarship/Grants
- Family Events
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Office Work
- Marketing
- Have a Support Group
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- items for fundraisers
- Office Space
- volunteers for physical labor-playground builds
- Funds for Immediate Client Needs
- Trailer Shelving/Storage Organization
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- Indoor, ADA Accessible Gym Space for Open Gym--think "We Rock the Spectrum"
- Staffing & Space for a Support Group
- Therapy Space for "Open Gym"
- Funding & Space for a Second Playground
- Community Sensory Garden
- Working with Schools to incorporate Sensory Paths/Spaces in all facilities
- Office Space
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Physical Labor at Playground Builds
- Fundraiser Preparation-Stuffing Envelopes, Marketing, Ticket Sales, Collecting Donations, etc
- Playground Clean up
- Event Set up and Tear Down
- Sensory Incorporation throughout the Community
Contact:
Brittney Kaluzny
Coal City, IL 60416
815-791-4984
Website: https://hopehelpsautismawareness.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HopeHelps/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_helps_autism/
Name of Executive: Brittney Kaluzny
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: To promote physical health, mental health, environmental health, protect the community's health, prevent disease, and promote family self- sufficiency through both person based services and population based programs.
What services does your organization provide: Assist with Utility bills
Three things this organization does really well:
- Assist low income families with utility bills
- Referrals
- Weatherization for homes
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Outreach
- More Staff
- More Press Release
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Weather tech trunk liner for Ford 2008 Explorer
- AED machine
- Postage for LIHEAP ( Bulk mail for Grundy)
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- Postage for LIHEAP ( Bulk mail for both counties Kendall and Grundy)
- New building
- More employees
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Files
- Answer phones
- Intakes for clients
Contact:
Chung Saenz
1802 N Division St Suite 602
Morris, IL 60450
815-941-3262
Website: https://www.grundyco.org/kendall-grundy-community-action/
Name of Executive: Diane Alford
Is your organization a 501c3? No
Is your organization a unit of local government? Yes
Mission of the organization: The Morris Area Public Library District provides our community with the power of information to encourage the joy of reading, cultural and technological literacy, while engaging and inspiring all members of the community. The Morris Area Public Library District exists (1) to further the lifelong education of those adults who are desirous of becoming completely well-rounded persons, and (2) to make available to both children and adults the wonderful world of enjoyment and recreation inherent in the printed word. The Library’s concern, therefore, should be that of a positive contribution in the form of enlightenment and enrichment in moral, mental, social, cultural, and spiritual needs of its borrowers. Through the media of books, expertly and carefully selected, this enlightenment is made possible. Other educational material such as magazines, newspapers, periodicals, videos, and other media should supplement the use of books in achieving this goal of a continuing education. Reading for sheer enjoyment, which is such a vital part of library tradition and one of the main reasons for a library’s existence, should be encouraged and nourished, particularly among its clientele of all ages. Library service should be available to all responsible residents and taxpayers without discrimination based on origin, age, background, or views. The staff and the Board should keep constantly on the alert for new and workable ideas that can effectively meet the challenges of our growing and developing community.
What services does your organization provide: Internet access, passport application processing, informative programming for all ages, entertaining programming for all ages, scanning, faxing, meeting rooms, sensory room, copying, information services, and more
Three things this organization does really well:
- We provide informative & entertaining programs for young children.
- We have a wide selection of materials for a library of our service area and budget
- We strive to provide a variety of services for our patrons that would be difficult to find elsewhere.
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- We could modernize our spaces to better suit the community's current needs
- We could provide a broader array of programming.
- Provide better technology and tech training
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Work tables with charging ports/electric for adult & teen departments
- Children's shelving with reading nooks
- Virtual Reality Gaming System
- Comfortable reading area tables and chairs for Adult Department
- Specific display unit for Delta Phi/teen art in Teen Department
- Conference tables & chair units for meeting room spaces
- Smart TV for Craft Room
- Mobile Lab laptops
- Vinyl seating benches for Children's Dept
- Makerspace items
- Large pop-up tent for outdoor programs/outreach
- New, sturdy, locking staff use desks
- Locking game console cabinet
- Circulating wifi hot spots
- "Slatwall" display pieces
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- Updated computers for both staff and public use
- Replace/update wiring in the craft room
- Outdoor gazebo for reading/play area
- Outdoor digital marquis
- New flooring for the lower level
- New circulation desk for Children's department
- Remodel bathrooms
- Ceiling & lighting repair throughout
- Wall-mounted speakers and projectors/smart screens in meeting rooms
- Non-resident payment assistance program
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Inventory
- Book Cleaning
- Toy sanitizing
- Computer sanitizing
- Other as-needed projects
Contact:
Rose Nowak
604 N. Liberty St.
Morris, IL 60450
815-942-6880
Website: https://morrislibrary.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MAPLD
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morrisareapubliclibrary/
Name of Executive: Roberta Richter
Is your organization a 501c3? No
Is your organization a unit of local government? Yes
Mission of the organization: Our purpose is to promote the interest of the public, our patrons, and the general membership of the guild in the theatrical arts, to educate all interested persons in the various skills involved in theatre, to cultivate artistic expression and provide opportunities to participate and experience live theatre in our area.
Vision of the Organization:
What services does your organization provide: Live theatre , Theatre Arts
Three things this organization does really well:
- social media / website
- team players
- try not to raise prices and be mideful of our income / expenses
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Communication / marketing
- retention of donors
- sales
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- need new theatre seats
- sound equipment
- new LED lights
- storage space
- ticket scanners
- newer HVAC units to help regulate temps
- paint and drywall work
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- larger space
- new stage floor
- repair of outside building, tuckpointing etc
- better outside lights on building
- parking
- newer HVAC units
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- help with publicity
- help with internal projects
- help with shows
- help with fundraising
- help with cleaning
- plumbing / carpentry / hvac
Contact:
Matt Johnson
516 W. Illinois Ave
Morris, IL 60540
815-942-1966
Website: morristheatreguild.org
Facebook:
LinkedIn:
Instagram:
Twitter:
Other:
Name of Executive: Matthew Johnson
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: To empower women through mentoring and items for daily living
What services does your organization provide: one on one life coaching/mentoring & pantry items
Three things this organization does really well:
- Help women to set attainable short term goals
- Offer active listening, encouragement, and Resource information
- Welcome any woman regardless of income level, residency, and struggle
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Provide more programs to single mothers, those on disability, and fixed incomes
- More visible signage for our location
- Expand our afternoon hours to reach more working women
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- New sign for our location (old sign is falling apart)
- More office space to be able to increase number of mentors & afternoon hours
- Storage unit for donated furniture
- Toilet paper, Laundry soap, & Cleaning products for Pantry
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- New Sign for location (old sign is falling a part)
- New large Cargo van to pick up furniture
- Larger building to expand offices to be able to meet with more women, bigger pantry to store items, and increase space for Thrift Store
- To expand our food voucher program for those that are just above the poverty line and don't qualify for government assistance
- Meet Christmas needs of clients
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Interview for volunteer position in the Thrift Store
- Offer assistance with pick-up of donated furniture
- Donate gently used household items to Thrift Store
- Have a donation drive for pantry items needed
Contact:
Tabitha Kosch or Tammera Reyes
306 East High St.
Morris, IL 60450
815-513-3964
Facebook: New Beginnings Thrift Store & Women's Help Center
Name of Executive: Tammera Reyes
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: To love and prepare generations to passionately follow Christ every day
What services does your organization provide: Spiritual guidance and education
Three things this organization does really well:
- Teach God's Word - the Bible
- Love people
- Encourage young people
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Share with our community
- Support older generations
- Support high school youth
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- AED for large gathering space (Automated External Defibrillator)
- Funding for new facility - handicap accessibility (proposed plan is for $2.5 million)
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- A facility that allows for accessibility for all people to enter and worship
- Handicap accessible restroom facilities
- Space to host our youth programs effectively
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Monthly cleaning of facility
- Monthly lunch for seniors/retirees
Contact:
Pastor Kevin Yandell
705 E. Washington St.
MORRIS, IL 60450
815-942-4255
Website: https://www.newcommunity.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/New-Community-Christian-Church-171326199563520/
Name of Executive: Kevin Yandell
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: The Food Bank's mission is to lead the northern Illinois community in solving hunger by providing nutritious meals to those in need through innovative programs and partnerships
Vision of the Organization: No one should go hungry
What services does your organization provide: Food assistance through member food pantries and direct distribution programs
Three things this organization does really well:
- Acquire food from manufacturers and retailers
- Distribute food across 13 counties with the collaboration of 900 program partners
- Recruit and manage 24,000 volunteers annually
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Reach food-insecure neighbors in rural areas
- Improve communication and collaboration with member agencies
- Improve collaboration with other social service agencies
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Three freezers for Mission Bible Food Pantry in Minooka to replace older equipment that is unreliable
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- Enough equipment for member agencies to store more perishable foods
- Vehicles for member agencies to make retail pikc ups easier
- Help with transportation for people who cannot get to the local food pantries
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Sorting and packing food at our center in Geneva or Joliet
- Volunteering at a member food pantry
- Assisting with office tasks, data entry etc. at our Geneva center
- Visit our website for all volunteer opportunities
Contact:
Hester Bury
273 Dearborn Court
Geneva, IL 60134
630-443-6910 ext.124
Website: https://solvehungertoday.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northernilfoodbank/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/northern-illinois-food-bank/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northernilfoodbank/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ilfoodbank?lang=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/NorthernILFoodBank
Name of Executive: Julie Yurko
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: We go to share God's amazing love through Jesus that all may know the comfort of his love and the joy of his peace.
What services does your organization provide: Worship, Bible Study, PADS housing w nights a week, facility use, micro food pantry, service projects in the community such as We Care and Saratoga Towers, Yoga
Three things this organization does really well:
- Reach out to the community
- Provide a space where ALL are welcome
- Worship
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Getting all members involved instead of the same group every time
- Use of our building
- Giving by members for the ministries of the church. Both time and financially.
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Begin a preschool or daycare
- Funds for staff
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- A preschool or daycare
- A paid music director
- A paid community service coordinator
- A community garden in our west parking lot because it's too expensive to repave
- Our building to be used by more community organizations
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Our members have our volunteer task list
Contact:
Pastor Lu Cantrell
Morris, IL 60450
815-942-1010
Website: https://www.plcmorris.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plcmorris/
Name of Executive: Pastor Lu Cantrell
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: Give a hot meal to all those in need for a hot meal with out questions
What services does your organization provide: hot meals for pick up and we deliver some if asked
Three things this organization does really well:
- Serves 150 to 200 meals per week
- main social is word of mouth and handing out flyers from Coal City Food Pantries, churches, Libraries, City Halls, We Care, Hope for Help
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Have more funds so we don't run out for that last person at 5:59
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Beef of all types
- Have enough food to feed all who come
- Makes good well balanced meals when supplies exist
- smiles to all who come to our doors
- Have more containers for carry outs because of Covid
- Have another freezer to keep meat when we have opportunity for exces
- poultry and fish
- pork of all types
- carry out containers 9by 9's, 5 by 5's, 2,4, and 12 ounce containers
- new freezer for some of the churches to store food
- would love one more church so each church could 2 a 2 month schedule
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- High quality meats, beef, pork, poultry, fish, veggies
- potatoes of any kind for 200 meals
- pasta for 200 meals
- eggs for 200 meals
- roasters for some of the churches
- all kinds of clam shells
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- cook, prepare, cut up, clean
- another church or organization to take 2 months of the year
- deserts furnished instead of brought by volunteers
- new aprons with our organization name and all involved
- $100 grocery gift certificates to hand out for the rest of the week's food for our clients
Contact:
Cindi Grove
6255 E. Hilltop Dr.
Coal City, IL 60416
815-735-1432
Website: none but advertise thru all our churches, city libraries, Coal City Food Pantry
Facebook:
LinkedIn:
Instagram:
Twitter:
Other: main social is word of mouth and handing out flyers from CoalCity Food Pantries, churches, Libraries, City Halls, We Care, Hope for Help
Name of Executive: Each church has their own head cook
Is your organization a 501c3? No
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: To introduce children and families to outdoor adventures through outdoor educational activities.
Vision of the Organization: For children to continue outdoor stewardship into the next generation through the education we are providing.
What services does your organization provide: Free Outdoor Activities - Fishing Derbies, Archery Clinics, Hunter Safety, Gun Safety, First Aid, CPR, Duck Calling, Habitat and Conservation Projects
Three things this organization does really well:
- Provides outdoor education
- Family Friendly Environment
- Promotes the YES I CAN attitude
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Delegate Responsibility
- Provide more programming in Morris
- Recruit volunteers
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- a riding lawnmower, push mower, and weed eater to take care of the land that we rent
- Outdoor equipment - fishing poles, hooks, sinkers, bobbers
- Bottled Water for events
- Food supplies for events - Hot dog lunch served at every event TEACH Outdoors hosts
- Tents
- Sleeping Bags
- Camping Supplies
- Rain Ponchos
- Lumber for building wood duck boxes
- Lumber for building bat boxes
- Air nails for building wildlife boxes
- Advertising items - tshirts, hats
- Flowers and plants for Spring project in Morris
- Mulch for Spring planting project
- Gloves and gardening tools
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- to purchase the land/building that we currently rent on Route 6
- Camper to have on site as a cooling station or heated station for outdoor activities
- Pop Up Tents
- Truck to pull the trailer that belongs to TEACH
- Projector and Screen for Indoor Education
- New office furniture and chairs
- Land with a pond for fishing derbies and conservation and habitat activities
- Four wheeler or Golf Cart for hauling items from trailer to camping/hunting locations
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Help spread the word to help us continue to provide outdoor activities free of charge to kids and their families
- Help with set up or tear down at any TEACH Event
- Volunteer to work an information table at an event
- Help with getting donations
- Cook hot dogs on the grill
- Help serve lunch
- Be a fishing buddy to a new family who has never fished before
- Be a fishing derby judge
- Teach casting, baiting the hook, and release
- Share your love of the great outdoors with the next generation to ensure outdoor stewardship in the future
Contact:
Jim Smith
1539 W. US Route 6
Morris, IL 60450
8153414001
Website: https://www.teachoutdoors.org/home.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TEACHOutdoors/
Name of Executive: Jim Smith, President
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: The Three Rivers Library provides information, education, and recreation through a variety of programs, technology, and services in an engaging environment to all members of the community.
Vision of the Organization: Enrich, Educate, Entertain, Evolve
What services does your organization provide: Free access to information through books, online resources, and experiences in both youth and adult programs designed to educate and entertain.
Three things this organization does really well:
- We provide a welcoming atmosphere and excellent service
- We offer interesting, educational & fun activities
- We engage with the community by co-sponsoring and/or participating in a variety of events
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Offer more space designed for meeting/gathering
- Appeal more to the 15-19 age group
- Offer more programming specifically designed for those with special needs
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Technology (mobile devices for educational programs & coaching, youth computer stations, STEM learning kits, etc.))
- Updated youth services desk at our branch (current desk is too high & young children can't see/talk to us easily)
- Better furniture for patron seating/study areas (especially Teen Lounge)
- Prizes to reward children & teens for summer reading
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- More meeting/study rooms & lighter, brighter reading spaces
- Access to better technology
- A larger children's area at the main building with an enclosed story time room & play spaces that enocurage sensory experiences, discovery and family engagement
- More funding/space for programs so we can allow more patrons to register and be part of those experiences
- A computer/technology lab
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Join our Friends of the Library group and help with booksales & community engagement projects
- Offer their time to scan documents for our on-going digitization project
- Offer to host a single activity/event for children or teens using their knowledge or talents
- Help at large scale, family events such as our summer reading kick-off parties or Family Read Night
- Help us keep the Blessing Boxes clear of expired items
Contact:
Amber Maxwell
Channahon, IL 60410
815-467-6200 x308
Website: https://www.trpld.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/threeriverslibrary/?ref=bookmarks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threeriverslib/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/threeriverslib
Name of Executive: Lauren Offerman
Is your organization a 501c3? No
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: To coalesce, inspire, and support the Head Start field as a leader in early childhood development and education.
Vision of the Organization: To Lead-to be the untiring voice that will not be quiet until every vulnerable child is served with the Head Start model of support for the whole child, the family and the community-and to advocate- to work diligently for policy and institutional changes that ensure all vulnerable children and families have what they need to succeed.
What services does your organization provide: Educational opportunities provided by passionate, degreed teachers; Screenings and followup for health, development, and behavior,Social and Emotional Health,Family goal- setting, services for children with disabilities and transition services.
Three things this organization does really well:
- Promotes school Readiness
- Individualize educational environment to support children's growth
- Responds to each child and family's ethinc, cultural, and linguistic heritage.
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Provide speech services inside the Head Start Classroom
- Provide on -site food pantry
- Provide before and after school care
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Preschool sized/School quality indoor exercise equipment
- Art Easel/chalkboard
- School quality tricycles
- Sensory Wall & Floor boards/ activities
- Light Table
- Multi-Cultural Dress-up Clothes
- Tee-Pee or Cozy Cube
- Cube chairs
- Early Childhood Big Books /CDS
- Large preschool rug
- Blue tooth speakers
- School Quality preschool musical instruments
- Duplo /Lego Table with Duplo Sets
- Play washer dryer/Grill for dramatic play area
- gift cards for parents in emergency need
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- New plumbing in bathroom sinks
- Adult size chairs for parent room meetings
- Playground shed
- Washer/Dryer - plumbing included
- laptops for teachers
- Re-surface playground
- New carpet in classroom
- New canopy for playground
- Smart Board/Smart TV
- Larger HEAD START light up sign at entrance
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Assist with Recruiting efforts
- Organize a mobile food pantry
- provide mobile dentist for parents/children in program
Contact:
Kimberly Herold
Morris, IL 60450
(815) 942-6572
Website: https://www.trhsa.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Two-Rivers-Head-Start/102359696503063
Name of Executive: Diane Lacey
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: Improving Lives by Uniting the Caring Power of Our Communities
Vision of the Organization: We Will Build a Stronger America by Uniting Our Communities to Improve People's Lives
What services does your organization provide: Funding for local non-profit programs & services, volunteer coordination
Three things this organization does really well:
- Create opportunities for companies & employees to give
- Create opportunities for non-profit partnerships & collaboration
- Coordinate volunteer opportunities with projects needed
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- Marketing - Sharing our purpose, stories & successes
- Website - Needs frequent updating and better inter-activeness
- Outreach
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Staff: Assistant, Part-time
- Website: New / Updated / User-friendly
- Program: Funds for Imagination Library
- Program: Funds for Born Learning
- Program: Funds for an enhanced Volunteer Hub
- Program: Funds for Student United Way Initiative
- Technology: Software for online Agency Grant Submissions
- Technology: Updated Computers
- Technology: Laptop
- Marketing: Updated / Enhanced Marketing Materials
- Marketing: Giveaways to be used for expos & incentives
- Sponsorship: Underwriting for a United Way Fun Day for area youth
- Sponsorship: For our annual dinner event
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- Office Building
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Administrative
- Marketing
- Technology
Contact:
Karen Nall
1802 N DIVISION Street, Suite 500
Morris, IL 60450
8159424430
Website: https://www.uwgrundy.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedWayofGrundyCounty
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-way-of-grundy-county/about/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedwaygrundyco/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/uwofgrundycnty
Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAGc0JyM3VJ7YTeWkVGZaJQ
Name of Executive: Karen Nall
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No
Mission of the organization: Our mission is to help meet these needs by serving low-income Grundy County residents in crisis. We strive to accomplish this goal by working with volunteers and other community organizations to provide food, rent/mortgage, utility and housing assistance.
Vision of the Organization: We Care envisions a community in which everyone’s basic needs are fulfilled.
What services does your organization provide: Case Management, Educational Classes, Food, Clothing , Rent, Mortgage and Utility Assistance
Three things this organization does really well:
- Case managment through Pathway of Hope
- Provide basic needs
- Provide a caring and supportive environment for those in crisis
Three things this organization knows it can do better:
- More capacity for Pathway of Hope
- More capacity to meet with clients for financial assistance
- More staff and volunteers for extended hours
What tangible needs does your organization need that donors can help provide?
- Volunteer hours
- Food Donations
- Clothing Donations
- Cleaning Supplies
- Cash donations for our Relief Program
- Personal Hygiene Products
- Paper Goods
- Food Storage bags and containers
- Help with building projects
- Material for building projects
If money were unlimited, what do you wish for your organization and/or clients?
- Pay off the remainder of our mortgage to free up funds for more programs
- Build out new office spaces that would provide additional spaces for classes and meeting rooms
- Hire additional staff including an LCSW to provide more capacity for our Pathway of Hope Program
- Insulate Roof
- Drain for Parking Lot (we get standing water and ice)
- New office equipment (printers, copiers, computer monitors)
- Capacity to expand staff
- Expand Educational Programs
- Warehouse Shelving and Forklift
- New Garage doors and openers for our truck dock. We have only 1 working door.
Can donors come for a site visit? Yes
What tasks can volunteers do for your organization?
- Stocking pantry shelves
- Organize clothes closet
- Paint when needed
- Volunteer at We Care Carnival and other events
- Bell Ringing at Christmas
- Share information on classes and events
Contact:
Eric Fisher
530 W. US Route 6 Bedford Road
Morris, IL 60450
8159426389
Website: https://www.wecareofgrundy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wecareofgrundycounty/
Name of Executive: Eric Fisher
Is your organization a 501c3? Yes
Is your organization a unit of local government? No