Hoffman Estates to host open house for new Community Resource Center at police station Monday

The Hoffman Estates Police Department is hosting an open house Monday afternoon at its new Community Resource Center that will house social service programs and provide after-hours assistance.

The renovation of the center was funded by approximately $20,000 seized from criminal activity.

The event will run from noon to 6 p.m. at the police station at 411 W. Higgins Road in Hoffman Estates, and includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated space at 5:45 p.m.

Police Chief Kasia Cawley said the project was based on an idea from department Social Worker Nataly Correa and took about a year to implement. Once approved administratively, the village board then gave the renovation project a green light, she added.

No taxpayer dollars were spent on the center, Cawley emphasized.

While operating hours are scheduled, the space will be available to shift sergeants around the clock and provide such emergency resources as donated food packs and coats when other local sources of aid are closed for the night.

“One of the things that inspired this idea was the lack of resources after-hours,” Correa said. “I really think the need is everywhere. We’re just very excited to be able to offer this new service to our residents.”

The food packs are provided by the Schaumburg Township Food Pantry. Other agencies providing support include the Hoffman Estates Police Charitable Foundation and community partners such as local churches, the Hoffman Estates Park District and the Kenneth Young Center

“Often our social workers are dealing with crisis management,” Cawley said. “We felt there was a need to expand those services.”

The center will be staffed for walk-in services that include crisis management, mental health support and access to community resources from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays through Thursdays, with additional afternoon and evening hours from 3 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Service referrals will be available in English and Spanish

Other anticipated uses of the space include police-sponsored community events and meetings. Police beat meetings and teen empowerment groups to help build stronger relationships between the department and community are scheduled. The department is also working with local schools to provide at-risk students with mentorship, tutoring and life-skills support.