Did you know that one in six people within Cook County don't even know where their next meal will…read morecome from? Did you know that most of these people live in your own neighborhood, go to school with your kids, and pass by you on the street?
In 1981, a volunteer at Willow Creek Church (within affluent Barrington) heard that families within the church struggling to put food on their tables. He purchased groceries, put them in his trunk, and gave them away to those in need. People came together and formed the Food Pantry. A few years later, some mechanic friends had the idea to fix cars for single mothers -- for free -- and created C.A.R.S. These services, along with ESL services, legal consulting, and employment counseling became available for those in need within the Care Center (originally the Food Pantry). The Center has been in Hoffman Estates for the past few years with more than 2,000 volunteers. I have been serving for the past six months and am in awe of how much they help the community.
Today, on June 3, 2013, the new 60,000 square foot Care Center opened on Willow Creek's main campus in South Barrington. It is absolutely amazing. The center has several dedicated spaces surrounding its' gorgeous waiting area: a large, full-choice food pantry (families in need can come once a month to receive free groceries), a children's clothing store with sizes infant through 14/XL (families can come twice a year and it costs $5 per child), an eye & dental clinic ($20 per exam), a car repair shop, a large Kid's Zone child care center (to watch the kids while parents are using services in the building), classroom space, and a computer lab (to open in Fall of 2013).
The Care Center offers ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, as well as a GED course (high school equivalency) for Spanish speakers. Volunteers also mentor at-risk youth through partnerships with local schools. Also available are one-on-one consultations and workshops addressing topics such as job search, résumé writing, networking, and preparing for an interview. Job fairs with local employers are also held throughout the year. Legal services with a trusted attorney are here for anyone who needs advice and cannot afford a layer, as well as tax preparation services during tax season. The center even offers homeless individuals and families overnight shelter on Thursdays during colder months as part of PADS. For people with homes, volunteers can assist homeowners with minor repairs so home is a safe place to live.
Most services require eligibility screening. Families seeking care will need to bring photo ID and proof of current address (recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, medical card). Some services also require proof of income, proof of child ID, and other information. You can find this on the Care Center website, along with a full description of the services and workshops available.
Although this place is affiliated with a church, they do not push God on you. They built this to serve those in need within the community. That's it. Don't be wary of coming here if religion is not your thing!
If you're looking for a place to volunteer -- this is it!
If you're someone in need of these services -- come here!!
You'll be amazed.
(I actually wrote too much in this review and maxed out at 5000 characters, so I had to cut a lot of information out and just leave the basics! Crazy!)
