People's Resource Center Annual Report 2022

PEOPLE’S RESOURCE CENTER: Mission Statement

We respond to basic human needs, promote dignity and justice, and create a future of hope and opportunity for the residents of DuPage County, Illinois.

FROM OUR CEO

2022 was a transformative year for People’s Resource Center as we listened, adapted, and responded to our neighbors. The year was unpredictable at times, as PRC rapidly adjusted to new needs and emerging challenges.

For nearly 50 years, PRC has responded to changes, including transitions in technology and the job market, economic ups and downs, and most recently the demands of the pandemic. When times are toughest for our neighbors, it is in PRC’s fabric to respond.

All across the organization, there are visible signs of how the PRC community cared for neighbors during the past few years. Shopping carts with extra wear and tear from serving outdoors through any weather. Grocery lists adapted for volunteers to provide client choice when customers had to stay in their cars. 968 refurbished laptops and Chromebooks given out to help neighbors connect in new ways online. And over 1,000 new volunteer nametags for the kind folks who joined the PRC crew to meet the dramatic need.

As PRC has always done, we relied on volunteers all along the way, to provide services with no interruptions. We are committed to listening and responding to serve all our neighbors with the highest level of dignity, respect and innovation.

I could not be prouder of our team of volunteers, staff, and caring community champions. You rose to the occasion every time PRC had a need, to make sure we had what we needed to greet neighbors with compassion and hope.

The future is bright for PRC as we plan for expansion to meet the increased demand in Jobs, Literacy and Food Pantry programs with the dignity all our neighbors deserve. We look forward to growing our neighbor-to-neighbor mission, together with you.

In gratitude and service,

Jeni Fabian

COMMUNITY VOICES

I just wanted to make you aware that I found a new position as an associate account manager! I appreciate your help and consistent support during this time. Thank you for highlighting my skills and assets. At the time they were things that I struggled to see in myself. So thank you for the work you did for me and continue to do for others. – Job Coaching client

“We (my family and I) are enormously grateful to you, PRC. You were there to help us when we began our lives here in the US, and gave us a better quality of life. You clothed us and kept us warm in winter. You fed us and we stayed healthy and strong. You inspired us to see that there are good people in this world. A whole heartedly THANK YOU to you all.”

– PRC Food Pantry Client

“We are trying to give not only food, but food people want.” – Food Pantry employee

I enjoy being creative and sharing my creativity with others. Art is a form of communication. Thanks for letting me share! – Art Student

“I give monthly because I love the work PRC does for both emergency services (Food Pantry) and all of the support programs like Job Search. It’s easy and I don’t worry that I forget a month with auto-deductions!”

– Monthly PRC donor

“Love these classes, helpful, never had computer skills, worked retail most of my life and companies didn’t use computers back then for everything we used basic then” – Computer Training Client

PEOPLE’S RESOURCE CENTER: Impact Report

3,600 $

PRC families save annually on their groceries to pay other bills by visiting PRC twice per month.

53,493

Grocery carts of food distributed

771 neighbors attended Jobs Assistance workshops last year

1,960 neighbors use more than one PRC service

1,279

Students received new backpacks with supplies at our Back to School event

2,086

Children who enjoyed gifts through Share the Spirit

4 Million

516

Pounds of food distributed Over 1.6 million pounds of food rescued from local stores

9

Literacy students passed their U.S. Citizenship exam, opening up more doors of opportunity to reach their potential

968

Refurbished laptops and Chromebooks distributed to neighbors

Neighbors attended art classes with

2,200 engagements

1,348 times Social Services connected neighbors to local resources

10,688

High-quality items of clothing distributed

CLIENT FEEDBACK

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Care for Cars, a PRC program which further expands Social Services transportation assistance, provides car repairs for DuPage residents in the workforce. PRC partners with local auto shops to provide reduced repair charges for clients.

$than retail repairs. 45%

Social Services rolled out increased Language Access. Intake Volunteers hold pocket translation devices to assist clients with communication. In addition, PRC uses LARC (Language Access Resource Center) for interpreter and translation services.

The Adult Education and Employment (AEE) program provides holistic support to job seekers with enhanced computer access.

Computer Training introduced new mobile classrooms, which provide increased opportunities for digital learning in our community.

PRC increased our number of home deliveries to 455 neighbors monthly. Deliveries are made to individuals and apartments including senior apartment complexes for homebound clients or those without transportation options.

PRC offers multiple ways to access food.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Highlights

Clarendon Hills Lions

Wheaton Lions

Wheaton Warrenville School District 200

“Oh Baby, It’s Personal” Baby and Personal Items Drive

Hunger Drive

National Association of Letter Carriers

Stuff-A-Truck Food Drive

Westmont Park District

Food Drive

#StampOutHunger

Lodge #138 Masons

CELEBRATING COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS: Highlights

Cream of Wheaton Festival

DuPage Co. Veterans’ Resource Fair

Westmont’s Holly Days

Frosty and Friends Parade

State of the County

“Going Bananas at Banana Bonanza!”

Jewel/Osco and Del Monte paired up to break the Guinness World Record for Largest Fruit Display by presenting 77,000 pounds of bananas in the Jewel Westmont parking lot.

PRC received 4,000 pounds of bananas from this event and the fruit was made available at no charge to the community.

PRC PARTNER: Highlights

“ I am so thankful for this partnership. PRC has listened and met my needs as a program director and (our) students’ needs! Activities are creative and something they can do at home.” Kids Art Site Coordinator

New Social Services Partnership with America’s Best providing eye exams and eye glasses.

Partnered with Wheaton Library for 6th annual Jobs Fair which had over 100 attendees, with a few fair-goers even getting hired on the spot!

Partnered with College of DuPage for Art classes.

PRC joined in celebrating the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters community at their Celebration of Presence. They have been a part of Wheaton for 75 years!

Monthly Partnerships with DuPage County restaurants for Dine Away Hunger where 10% of proceeds are donated to PRC. A list of upcoming restaurant participants is available at peoplesrc.org/events.

EAT WELL. DO GOOD.

Jeni Fabian, Jeff Zidell, Linda Cheatham and Sister Pat Norton

PRC PARTNERS

Collaborating to make a difference

You can typically find mother-daughter duo Tracy and Ava in Westmont on Thursday evenings for food distribution. With a full-time job and school during the day, the pair were delighted to find an opportunity that allowed them to spend time together and give back.

“My favorite part is intake,” Ava shared. “It’s really nice to get to interact with some of the people you’re helping.”

They started volunteering at PRC through National Charity League’s Clarendon Hills-Hinsdale chapter. NCL is a multi-generational civic group that embraces philanthropy, leadership and culture. Last year 65 NCL members, including Ava and Tracy, volunteered more than 580 hours at PRC’s Westmont Food Pantry.

“You don’t realize how many people in your own community need these services. It’s nice to all be working toward the same goal, whether we’re filling a cart or packing a [produce] bag,” Tracy said.

“I thought this was a good way to spend time with Ava as well as teach her to give back.”

The next generation of philanthropic leaders. In 2019, PRC launched the Junior Board at Westmont High School to engage young people with philanthropy and provide leadership opportunities. Over the last two years, members have volunteered more than 1,000 hours with PRC. The PRC Jr. Board of Westmont High School was awarded West Suburban Philanthropic Network’s Young Philanthropists of the Year Award for 2022

PRC PARTNERS

Duly Health and Care’s Charitable Fund and PRC continue partnership into a new era

For over a decade, Duly Health and Care has partnered with People’s Resource Center to improve healthy food access through grants from its Charitable Fund, volunteerism and network-wide supply drives.

Duly has been one of PRC’s biggest partners. The Charitable Fund has supported PRC’s food access programs, expanded Food Rescue operations by sponsoring a new van, and helped PRC establish the Westmont facility. Their on-going food and supply drives have introduced DuPage residents and care teams to our work.

Duly Health and Care’s support has raised awareness of PRC’s work in the community and directly impacted our ability to get nutritious food to community members who need it.

Faith Partners in Action

PRC enjoys numerous relationships with congregations and faith communities. St. Daniel the Prophet in Wheaton has been a vital partner to the entire PRC community for years, providing many inspiring ways to support PRC programs.

They have organized drives for food, baby and personal care supplies, and the PRC Back to School and Share the Spirit programs. St. Daniel parishioner and St. Vincent DePaul Society team member, Cheryl Vescio says PRC allows St. Daniel to share a charitable path with its fellow parishioners who want to help and may not know how or where help is needed most.

“Because of PRC’s varied programs, it’s easy to find one that best fits how someone wants to make a contribution,” she said.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION: July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022

Revenue Expenses

Monetary Donation Sources

$18,922

Return (loss) ($517,906)

PRC has earned the highest possible 4 star rating from Charity Navigator for 14 consecutive years. Only 1% of charities rated have received this distinction, differentiating PRC from its peers, exemplifying the high standard of service at PRC, and indicating that PRC outperforms most other charities in America.

CONNECTING AND CELEBRATING WITH OUR VITAL VOLUNTEERS

1,830 Volunteers during FY21 & FY22

1,211 Volunteer applicants

54,936 hours volunteered

VOLUNTEER SURVEY RESULTS

97% of new volunteers feel welcome

96% would recommend volunteering at PRC to others

FINDING PURPOSE, MEANING AND COMMUNITY: A Volunteer’s Story

A lifelong learner and educator finds a home at PRC

Patricia found PRC when she retired 19 years ago. As a teacher, she hoped to do something that would allow her to continue to do what she loved. She said PRC gave her opportunities to teach in different capacities, especially for adults learning English. When tutoring shifted to Zoom, she knew she needed to learn how to use it.

When Anum A., PRC’s adult literacy manager, met Patricia for the first time, it was over Zoom. She admits she was shocked and impressed. “She was so tech savvy,” Anum said. “She was the one telling others that they were muted or their cameras were off. She just knew what to do.”

At the same time, Patricia saw the need for food pantry volunteers and jumped right in. “The food pantry allowed me to be around people,” she said.

According to Dom S., Wheaton food pantry assistant, Patricia’s presence is so uplifting, you can tell when she’s not there. “She always has a smile.”

When PRC resumed in-person tutoring, Patricia was one of 5 volunteers who made the transition. Now, she tutors 11 students one-on-one and in groups! She tutors a group on Saturday mornings at the Wheaton library and facilitates another group over Zoom. Patricia still shows up faithfully in Wheaton nearly every Friday to sort produce – most notably the strawberries.

As much as Patricia has given to PRC, she feels PRC has given a lot to her. “PRC saved my life,” she said. “It gave me a home.”

MOVING FORWARD: Building a Better Tomorrow

PRC plans for the future - a place for everyone.

After an in-depth study of needs and options, this summer PRC purchased the property at 207 S. Naperville Road in Wheaton. This property sits between two parcels already owned by PRC. This important step will allow PRC to plan and design a cohesive Wheaton Campus to better serve our neighbors and meet growing needs.

The campus will expand program space and increase available parking in the future. Detailed planning is underway!

This acquisition provides a great opportunity for an expanded Wheaton Campus to propel our neighbor-to-neighbor mission.

PRC now owns all of the above parcels on Naperville Road.

PEOPLE’S RESOURCE CENTER BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

Anjali Alva, Secretary

Jack Baldermann

Ophelia Barsketis

Ingrid Becton

Consuelo Cabral

John Dalby Jr.

Brent Loebig, Treasurer

Marsha McDermott

Erin Norton, Vice President

Sister Pat Norton OSF

Kathy O’Malley

James Orel

Leanne Sardiga

Lina Valdez

John Wallerius

Dr. Leatha Ware

Sue Winkler

Jeff Zidell, President

Jenifer Fabian, CEO