Schaumburg Park District offers help to unemployed
The Schaumburg Park District is aiming to help its residents better deal with the stresses of sudden unemployment, as well as the related feelings of isolation.
The district's new Unemployment Support Package provides fitness and recreation options at little to no cost.
Included are passes for fitness centers, swimming pools and rounds of golf. The package is geared toward daytime fitness activities for adults, and is not for entire families. However, family scholarships are available through the park foundation's assistance program.
The support packages are available to Schaumburg Park District residents with valid ID and proof of job termination. Unemployment verification must be in the form of an unemployment check stub, unemployment debit card or "approval of benefits" letter from the Illinois Department of Employment.
Applications are accepted 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the Jerry Handlon Administration Building, 235 E. Beech Drive.
Each package is valid for only 30 days, but renewable with updated proof of unemployment.
Each package include four passes to Water Works; eight fitness center passes also valid for fitness or swimming at Schaumburg Tennis Plus; two buckets of range balls at the Schaumburg Golf Club driving range; two 18-hole rounds, including cart, after 3 p.m. on weekends for the discounted price of $22; and trail maps for Spring Valley Nature Center.
"This is really to give someone who is unemployed a place to work out and a constructive way to spend time," park district Executive Director Jean Schlinkmann said. "It was just something we felt we had to do for our loyal constituents."
Park district spokeswoman Pat Casler said four people have already applied.
"They all expressed their thanks that we're doing something like that," she said.
The park district also offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, including at Spring Valley Nature Center and the Volkening Heritage Farm, for people to connect with the community, make new friends, stay active and keep up their self-esteem, Schlinkmann said.
As the summer months approach, there also will be more free outdoor theater and music programs. For more information on these and other upcoming programs with no or minimal cost, visit parkfun.com.