Palatine proclamation honors SALUTE, INC. for 20th anniversary
Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz recently recognized both SALUTE, INC. and FamilyForward for 20 years of serving the community. Both nonprofit organizations have close ties to the community and were honored accordingly with a proclamation from the village.
From its Palatine office, SALUTE has assisted more than 21,000 veterans and military personnel and provided more than $7 million in emergency financial assistance since 2003. These funds are in the form of short-term assistance and often cover rent or mortgage expenses, utility bills, car expenses, or groceries. The organization also partners with other veterans' programs and leading medical centers across the country to connect veterans with the physical rehabilitation and mental health services they seek.
"When dealing with the day to day needs of the veterans and their families it is easy to lose track of the years going by," said SALUTE, INC. Executive Director Mary Beth Beiersdorf. "Having Mayor Schwantz read this proclamation allowed us to step back and realize that our small team and grassroots efforts have been able to accomplish so much. Unfortunately, the need remains so we are using this recognition to fuel our efforts as we head into our 21st year."
FamilyForward serves low-income, working families in the Northwest suburbs, helping them achieve financial independence. In addition to rent assistance, the organization also provides mentoring and support services that empower families to develop good financial management and life skills.
SALUTE hosts fundraising events throughout the year, including an upcoming Veteran's Day event at the Wintrust's Grand Banking Hall in Chicago. Funds are also raised by SALUTE's Bank of America Chicago Marathon team, TEAM SALUTE, and through donations from individuals and families.
The presentation was attended by Beiersdorf, along with FamilyForward Program Manager Sarah Harte and FamilyForward Case Manager Pam Van De Walle. It provided a special memory as Schwantz recalled that the first proclamation he issued as mayor was for SALUTE in 2009.
To learn more about SALUTE, INC., visit www.saluteinc.org.
For more information about FamilyForward, visit www.family-forward.org.
SALUTE, INC. is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Palatine, Illinois that is dedicated to meeting the financial, physical, and emotional needs of injured military service members, veterans, and their families. Through a variety of fundraising efforts - including its group of charity runners, Team SALUTE - the organization provides service members and veterans with support for housing, utility bills, car expenses, groceries, and other short-term financial needs. In 2022, SALUTE, INC. was awarded the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, which is the highest level of transparency a nonprofit can receive from Candid, a company that rates how well nonprofits use their funds. They have also received a perfect 100% 4-Star rating by Charity Navigator.
FamilyForward strengthens low-income, working families in the northwest suburbs to move toward financial independence and stability through rent assistance, mentoring, and other support services. Through its two-year program and guidance from trained, volunteer mentors and staff-based case managers, FamilyForward empowers families to develop good financial management skills and develop other life skills for improving their employment, education, and personal well-being, to build strong and stable households. FamilyForward persists in helping its families adapt to the ongoing financial turbulence created by the lasting effects of the pandemic, surging inflation, and out-of-control costs of daily living. In doing so, FamilyForward works to transform lives, one family at a time.