Nonprofit Agencies

NONPROFIT AGENCIES PROVIDE

LOCAL ESSENTIAL NEEDS

By Pat Szpekowski

There are more than 25 nonprofit chamber members serving Orland Park residents. Each impacts the community with meaningful knowledge, resources and compassionate care assisting in aging, mental health, food, safe havens, scholarships, outreach and prevention programs. They are led by dedicated staff members and volunteers who provide services for local children, teens, adults, seniors and families. These champions are able to do their work through the generosity of monetary donations. Among many others, The Bridge Teen Center, Crisis Center For South Suburbia, Orland Park Rotary Club, Pathlights (formerly Plows Council on Aging) and Together We Cope have left a strong footprint on the community. The Bridge Teen Center

thebridgeteencenter.org

The Bridge Teen Center provides free programs for students in 7th-12th grade during after-school and unsupervised hours, where they can develop mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually in a safe environment. Programs are targeted in five areas: everyday life, community connections, educational support, mind/body and expressive arts. Safety is a primary concern and The Bridge is managed by experienced professionals who are supported by well-trained and pre-screened adult volunteers. Relying entirely on the volunteer and financial support of the community, The Bridge has a thrift store and conducts fundraising events to fulfill its mission.

Crisis Center For South Suburbia

crisisctr.org

The Crisis Center has provided emergency shelter and other essential services for individuals and families victimized by domestic violence since its humble beginnings in 1978 and incorporation in 1979. It operates a 35-bed emergency shelter, which was built for victims in 1991, and has impacted the lives of more than 60,000 people. It continues to grow while offering free services including housing, counseling, advocacy, outreach, and prevention programs. Rotary Club of Orland Park

orland-park.clubexpress.com

Rotary International is the world’s first and largest service club organization with more than 1.2 million members worldwide in 35,000 clubs. The Rotary Club of Orland Park, one of 62 Rotary Clubs in local District 6450, was founded in 1972, approaching its 50th anniversary in 2022. Rotary Club members meet weekly and are local civic-minded professionals who volunteer their time, talents, and treasures. They help others locally by raising funds for scholarships and giving back to other needed projects; and globally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, promote peace and eradicate polio under the motto “Service Above Self”. Pathlights (formerly Plows Council on Aging)

pathlights.org

Pathlights has helped guide the path for adults 60 years of age and over, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers, families and friends, for more than 45 years. The agency provides resources, advocacy, programs and services empowering them to live with independence and dignity in the community. More than 16,000 people are helped on their path to healthy aging by Pathlights each year. Annual assistance statistics are staggering: 62,000 nutritious meals delivered; 27,000 intake and referral calls; and 2,000 caregiver support hours. Together We Cope

togetherwecope.org

Together We Cope, a prevention agency, provides resources to families in temporary crisis, enabling them to stay in their homes. Since 1982, it has helped bridge the gap for south suburban residents in 27 communities by supplying food, shelter, clothing and referrals empowering clients to return to self-sufficiency. It is driven by 200 volunteers, generous community donations of food, clothing and household goods and groceries purchased from the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Eighty-nine cents of every dollar given to Together We Cope is used to directly help local families and individuals.