Respond Now

Click on any picture to enlarge
Learn about Express Food Stamps available at Respond Now Click here Then click the box that says: "February-02-2010 Express Food Stamps" to see the clip from Chicago Tonight. We are in our 40th Year!

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                                                                          
   

Please sing on to a letter urging Senate Leadership to pass a robustly funded child nutrition bill before the end of the 111th Congress. It's important that children have access to food services throughout the entire year (school lunch, breakfast programs, summer feeding programs). This letter urges Congress to fund these programs at the appropriate level, so that children will be provided with good, nutritious meals. For many poor children, these meals may be the their only fully-balanced meals.

   Click this link to sign:     http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5118/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2968

   
Can you give 3 hours a week and volunteer Monday, Wednesday or Friday? We especially need help in the afternoons. Jobs include interviewing clients, general office work, filling food bags, organizing the pantry and clothing room and especially sharing smiles to lift the spirit of others. Help others and make friends. Volunteering is good for your mental health. In order to serve approximately 2700 clients a month we need lots of caring hearts. Please help us.   Call Anita Alvarado at 708-755-4357
        Click here to volunteer

In December 2009, Respond Now's Holiday (Christmas) store served 343 families with 1036 children for a total of 1379 people. Liz Wisnasky is our special Christmas angel. Click here to read her report and letter of thanks.

The Southtown Star had an article about the store.
Another Southtown Star Article

Respond Now Celebrated 40 Years
Serving the Chicago Southland
on October 10, 2009
Olympia Fields Country Club
Olympia Fields, IL

We begin our celebration by planting our garden.

COMMUNITY GARDEN
We planted our garden October 2, 2008
On October 2, 2008 we broke ground on a community garden located on city-owned land next door to our office on Emerald Avenue.  The only thing growing there was 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 helped plan the garden, assisted with material for the raised beds, and generally oversaw 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.
Click here to learn more about our garden and read the Chicago Tribune article!

Click here to see Our Privacy Policy

FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION PROGRAM

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

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

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

Hotlines

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