New year marks 40 years of service for People's Resource Center

From food, clothing and rent assistance to computer training, tutoring and social services, struggling DuPage County residents can find all the help they need in one visit to the People's Resource Center.

Since 1975, the Wheaton-based organization has been "bringing neighbors together to respond to hunger and poverty in DuPage County," says Executive Director Kim Perez.

The ringing in of the new year will mark some special achievements for the center - a 40th anniversary, which will be celebrated at a gala on March 14 in Naperville, and the opening of a bigger center in Westmont.

"This is a major milestone for us, but it's also, most importantly, a marker of the ability to continue to meet the community needs," Perez said. "Those needs in those 40 years have significantly increased. The need in the county is not going to go away."

An estimated 32,000 individuals receive free help from the organization each year. Perez said about 54 percent are adults, 36 percent are children and 10 percent are seniors.

"More than half of our clients come from working households, yet they're living at or below poverty," Perez said.

Suburban poverty is a relatively new phenomenon that emerged in the past decade or so, Perez said. It is also estimated that during that time, the number of people living in poverty in DuPage County has doubled.

"The reality that presents to the community is one that maybe we're not quite accustomed to," she said. "We want people to understand that this is a community challenge, but a solution also lies within the community and making a difference is something that everyone can do."

Roughly 2,000 volunteers provide assistance to the organization annually, from sorting through items in the food pantry and clothing closet, where families can pick whatever items they need, to leading computer training and literacy classes for clients.

The Westmont location has gone from serving about 300 families a month when it opened in 2008 to more 1,000, resulting in the need for a bigger building, Perez said.

The future site, which is expected to open in the spring, will be at 104 E. Chestnut Ave. and have dedicated spaces for each service that is offered.

The organization is hoping to raise $2.75 million for the building purchase and renovations. For information on the project, visit peoplesrc.org/homeforgood.

More than 60 percent of the organization's financial support overall comes from individuals and families living in the community, Perez said.

"We have very, very little government funding and, as a result, we're able to be very responsive and proactive in the services that we deliver," she said.

To get involved or learn more, call (630) 384-1355 or visit peoplesrc.org.