http://www.bridgecommunities.org/ They provide transitional housing for people in the process of…read morebecoming self-sufficient. One of the goals is to keep the children in their same school, because bouncing from place to place is detrimental to kids' academic progress. They are taking part in the Sleep Out for the Homeless this November. Great great GREAT people. Give them your time and $$ - it's worth it.

Bridge communities are the best at helping people change their lives. The organization was…read moreestablished to help those that are need of shelter; however they do so much more. Between the time you call to inquire about the program until the time you successfully graduate from the program you will feel the professionalism, compassion and love. If entered into the program they will partner you with people who will help you with your career, finances, budgeting, education, health and so much more. The amount of volunteers that go out of their way to help others in need are amazing! I highly recommend this program if you need help or want to volunteer and be part of an dynamic organization that is making a difference.

Oh...I dislike having to write this, but I have too. St.Vincent was the place I enjoyed going to…read morejust to escape the world and find some peace and quiet while I hunted and pecked to find deals...not for resale, but for myself. I am not slamming the top manager. He is only trying to make money for the program St. Vincent has to help people in need. As a past reselller, estate sale conductor, a once partner to an estate sale company, I can see things of value...not clothing, I can't stand that. But collectibles. I've noticed new patterns. 1. Prices are up to at least 1/2 the cost of an ebay asking price. 2. Broken collectibles still priced high as if undamaged. 3. Collectible pieces put behind the check out counter holding high prices. 4. A new sneaky practice I only saw at a Goodwill I was a manager at and discountinued, the practice of burying large items of collectible furniture, or marking it sold. To back up this claim, I have seen flippers (you get to recognize them after you see them a slew of times) ask for the manager...ugg...and he comes out and I hear, "Hey...what can you do on the price for this?" The worst piss me off time was when a man walked into the work area the public is not allowed to go in and he came out with the manager. He pointed to a folding MCM dining table, I knew what it was, and the possiblity of it's worth, and it was sold for 10 bucks. Yeah....a cherry/walnut folding dining table for 10 bucks. I've seen Heywood Wakefield dining sets behind chairs (we are talking now in the thousands). 1930s metal cabinets or display cases which bring in a pretty good 200-300 bucks return...sold for 15 dollars. That gets my goat more than anything. Goodwill stopped the practice of that. They do it for themselves now. The people who donate items out of generosity or need, may write things off their taxes. To me, this is against the policy of helping people in need. Yeah, people can say...if you want a deal get there before the flippers...I get it. Today was the 'straw that broke the camels back'. I was going to pick up my meds. I stopped at the store for snits and giggles. I saw two items...no price tag. The lady in front said she would get the manager. Now, she is new I think and have tried to talk with her before. Her attitude is worse than a person with hallotosis, and b.o. at the same time. Her attitude. She placed a price on them which if they were at regular price I would walk. But today was half off day. Score. Yes, I bought them. One for me and one for my daughter. Then I saw a wall coat rack bar. It was 6 feet long made of hard wood. Did i want to buy it for my wall and coats? NO. My bed broke last night and I had to repair the frame. So,I thought, hey, I could buy the rack and support the mission, and save money because I am a person in financial need. It was not priced. The lady who helped me the first time said, it was not marked I couldn't buy it. Then she called the 'manager' I was told it belonged to another piece of furniture. I said, no...it was a wall coat rack. She insisted it was part of another piece of furniture. I remained polite, and respectful. I pulled up a photo of a similar product to 'teach' someone it was not what they thought. It didn't matter. Now the story was, "it is not priced and had to go through the process." exact quote. I looked at her. "Really? You priced these two thing." She just reiterated her excuse. I had felt a feeling I hadn't before. On top of the sneakiness, high prices, and rudeness by this one person, I realized, I can't shop here anymore. I stopped looking for that cool handmade mug by an artesian from Europe. I stopped looking for the depression glass juicer. I stopped looking for Theodore Haviland China, Waterford Crystal, Limoges, Belleck..and more. This store has become a mutant offshoot of Goodwill and Salvation Army. Now, for clothing fine, and that is great for people who wear clothes. I do...lol...but for everything else...it just seems it is not about helping people anymore, but helping those who don't need it (flippers...hey if a person wants to flip, let them register and donate 25% of the profit to St. Vincent) and not helping those who do need help. Not everyone needs to walk in and fill out a form who is in need. Most of us, walk in and look for something to save a few or a bunch of bucks. Oh well...the last of thrift stores for escaping reality is over for me at St. Vincent, which a flipper may enjoy because I might pick up an American Brilliant Cut Glass with a first generation Copley marking which could bring in over $600! I know because I sold a second generation one ten years ago for $250. No more. And to top all this off, is hearing an employee talk about the flippers who come in. Okay fine. But don't rub our faces in it.

Easy drop off. Lots of help unloading. They will also pick up large items. Just prefer other…read moreoptions to Goodwill.

We love that WINGS supports women and children. So, when we have things to donate, this is usually…read moreour first choice. I don't think I've ever been in their retail store before, but have dropped off goods many times over the years. We're purging our house of 20 years of accumulated stuff. When you arrive, they have a door for dropping off donations. We've given them clothes, nick-nacks, paintings, glassware, and more. They take everything with a smile. We'll continue to drop off merchandise as we have it. And, perhaps next time we go I'll stop into their store. The reviews are certainly good.

WINGS Resale is my favorite donation center in the area. They take all types of donations from…read moreclothes, shoes, handbags, accessories, home decor, furniture, and more. It's easy to drop off donations at their back door which is separate from the store entrance. All items are organized, priced, and resold in the store. Walking around, resale items are very fairly priced and in good condition. Their profits from the store go toward supporting families fleeing domestic violence. What a great way to give back and help those in need! Donation Hours Daily: 10am - 5pm* Tip: They have locations in Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, and Niles. Pro Tip: Check out their daily discount specials before heading over to browse their great selections.

Awesome service pantry is very neat clean food is good. The food is up-to-date. Sometimes most of…read morethe time I recommend this place to you.

They are very friendly, kind, helpful, and quick! They make the food pantry experience a pleasant…read moreone!

They have a wide range of classes and activities here, which is nice. My major issue is with the…read morecleanliness and staff. Cleanliness: there are no locker rooms for the gymnasium. You're expected to wait with your little one out in the hall connected to the older part of the building. Of course, the rules are no shoes in the gym so parents are prepping kids in this hall nonstop between classes. However, for over a month, there has been a giant ant infestation. So kids are getting tons of ants all over themselves and their clothes. Staff: I've mentioned it several times and the first few were met with concern "we are working on it" and now it's "oh, yea. Ok". Actually, it's not ok. It's disgusting. And it's not fantastic to have a bunch of preschoolers with ants all over them. I've had a nice front desk employee or two, but for the most part, they aren't exactly brimming with happiness. Again, the amount of classes offered here is nice. But the facility is obviously old and I worry about overall sanitation.

LOVE LOVE the Elmhurst Pk District. My daughter is in their Lil'Butterflies program at the Wagner…read morecenter and asks about school every day! The staff is nice and so are the kids (reflection of parents) Next year were going to try preschool and coed gymnastics. I'm so excited!

I've been a volunteer and donor for years with Shelter, Inc. They are an amazing organization…read morehelping children and families every year. I've really enjoyed volunteering with them making an impact on the local community and helping children in need.

It's scary to review Shelter Inc. When you have to be nice to them in hopes they will do the right…read morething but after 4 months I'm realizing they are going to do whatever they want to do regardless of anything I say or do. Don't get involved with their Foster Care Program, they are destroying families and the kids are the ones that suffer the trauma and long term effects. They claim to keep families together, what a joke. Do some research, other people are saying the same things I'm saying.