PADS to HOPE making push for donations
Palatine-based Journeys from PADS to HOPE serves individuals and families in North and Northwest suburban Cook County who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Throughout March, several downtown Palatine Merchants have banded together for a Drive for HOPE to assist with the needs of the clients of Journeys.
“The economic downturn over the past few years has changed the face of homelessness,” said Sarah Martino, Journeys event coordinator. “We have seen a dramatic increase in service requests from families with children ranging in age from newborns to 17 years old.”
Martino said in addition to the ongoing need for nonperishable foods and personal hygiene items, there is currently an urgent need for new infant bouncy seats and new portable cribs. Baby wipes, diapers and children’s clothing are also in demand.
Ongoing needs are household cleaning supplies, condiment packets, new or like-new clothing, socks, scarves, aspirin and bikes.
One family is in need of a van or minivan in good condition.
During March, drop off donations at Foxglove Cottage, 19 N. Brockway; Cookie Cards, 10 N. Bothwell, Chandelier Boutique, 17 W. Wilson, Harrington Manor, 16 S. Bothwell or Arete Salon & Spa located at 9 North Bothwell.
Volunteers from Journeys will march in the St. Patrick’s Day parade at 11 a.m., and collect donations along the route. Additional information on the participating retailers can be found at www.downtownpalatine.org.
Journeys provides assistance through the collaborative effort of the HOPE Center clinical team and affiliated PADS emergency shelter sites. Focusing on intervention and prevention, the clinical staff at the HOPE Center provide mental health counseling, vocational rehabilitation and housing assistance.Journeys#146; new supportive housing program offers affordable temporary housing and consistent therapeutic support by the HOPE Center clinical team to help clients achieve independence. Journeys also administers 19 faith-based emergency shelter sites that provide a safe, warm place to sleep and hot meals. Journeys is headquartered at 1140 E. Northwest Hwy., Palatine; donations may be delivered at the rear entrance between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. Visit www.padstohope.org or call (847) 963-9163, ext. 16.