Muir School partners with Willow Creek Care Center to meet needs of students and families

From mentors and school supplies to snack packs for weekends and breaks, students and families in need at Muir School are benefiting in a variety of ways from the school's growing partnership with Willow Creek Care Center in South Barrington.

"It's phenomenal, the resources they have and are willing to share," Muir Principal Carolyn Allar said. "They understand there's a need, and they want to do anything they can to meet those needs. It's a passion of ours as a school team to see what we can do to meet students' social and emotional needs. It's when our students' needs are met that academics can take place."

A crucial aspect of the partnership is that Muir serves as a connector between its families and Willow Creek. Not only do Muir staff members work to raise awareness of the resources available for families through the Care Center - such as food, clothing, home repairs, and legal and financial services - they also help to arrange services for families who are unable to get to the Care Center.

"What's powerful about this partnership is we are able to bring this support to families, rather than them having to seek it out," Allar said. "We really wanted to take that obstacle out of the way. In a community, the school is a home base. They can get here, and they are comfortable here."

Muir staff knows the families and their needs and can advocate for needed supports. In addition, families who may not feel comfortable asking for assistance elsewhere have approached staff about receiving support, Allar added.

"We know their stories, and we are able to help them maintain their dignity while getting the help they need," Allar said.

If a family has a need that cannot be met directly through the Care Center, such as low-cost dental care, the Care Center tries to connect Muir with another resource for the family.

"It is such a pleasure to partner with Muir," said Nicole Burt, Director of Operations for the Care Center. "We're inspired by the commitment of the Muir faculty to their students and their families. Their work goes way beyond the classroom to provide care and support."

The partnership began with a focus on meeting the most pressing needs of Muir families. In the spring of 2016, Willow Creek volunteers delivered weekend food packs to Muir every other Friday to send home with students from financially struggling families. This year the food packs are being sent home once a month and prior to long holiday breaks, said special services teacher Lisa Garza, Muir's liaison for the partnership with Willow Creek.

Students from High School District 211's work program help assemble the packs, which also include notes about how to access the Care Center. Muir staff distributes the packs, often with help from Willow Creek volunteers.

This summer Muir and Willow Creek Care Center hosted a back-to-school fair at Willow Creek, with bus transportation from Muir, to help raise awareness of the resources available through the Care Center. All 200 Muir families who qualify for the free lunch program were invited to attend the event, which included dinner, haircuts, games and a variety of activities. Every student was provided with a backpack filled with supplies, and every family received a voucher to shop at the Care Center's clothing store.

This school year Willow Creek Care Center began sponsoring the Kids Hope mentors who visit Muir. The volunteer mentors visit Muir once a week during recess or lunch to talk, play games or read with their student. There are currently four mentors who visit with Muir students, and the hope is to increase to 10 for next year, Garza said.

"It's really just giving our students an opportunity for another positive relationship in their lives," she said. "All of our kids who have mentors really look forward to their visits."

In general, the Care Center is open to supporting Muir students and families in any way they can. For instance, when Allar and Garza mentioned earlier this year that the school was in need of games for students to play during indoor recess, the Care Center donated multiple games for every class.

"We are so very grateful for their partnership," Allar said. "We are just in the early stages now, and we are confident we will look at adding opportunities and broadening the reach."

School District 54 recognized Willow Creek Care Center as a Super Partner at the 2016 Partnership Breakfast in November for its support of Muir students and staff. In addition, as a thank-you for all of the support they are providing families, Muir is planning to have school staff volunteer at the Care Center on a regular basis. Garza currently volunteers in the center's Kid Zone, which provides free child care for families accessing services.

"The mission of the Care Center is to provide services to help meet immediate needs and offer long-term solutions for a more stable future," said Care Center Director Josie Guth. "We're committed to partnering with great organizations, such as Muir, to help support the needs of our community."