Park Ridge's The Harbour, a haven for teen girls, launches first capital campaign

For nearly 50 years The Harbour in Park Ridge has offered a safe haven for teenage girls from the North and Northwest suburbs who are at-risk of becoming homeless.

But the historic agency is in the process of transforming itself, opening its doors to a larger population and, consequently, needing a new facility. This fall, staff took their new vision to the public by launching their first capital campaign.

"We've been a mom and pop shop for so long," says Kris Salyards, executive director. "But now we're taking our mission to the community, of being at the forefront of teenage and women's issues."

Up until now, its mission was somewhat little known. Tucked away in a 100-year-old farmhouse in Des Plaines, the agency offered immediate shelter and supportive services for teenage girls.

As a licensed Department of Children and Family Services facility, it diverted girls from the juvenile justice or child welfare systems to a warm, supportive environment.

"We were a place for young girls who were locked out, thrown out or were runaways," Salyards says. "We were a safe place for kids."

It was a mission that served this population for decades, but as a shift in the national discussion about homeless youth changed, officials with The Harbour joined that conversation.

"We turned the shelter into a forward-facing facility," says Salyards, who took over as director after serving as programing manager for several years.

Its new philosophy included lowering the barrier for access, increasing the need for a new shelter facility itself. A new house would provide a stronger infrastructure, energy efficiency and offer separate wings for girls younger than 17 and those older than 18. The plan is to tear down the existing farmhouse and build a new structure at that location.

Consequently, this fall, The Harbour launched its first capital campaign, which they call "Project 2020: Opening Doors."

Salyards says the agency not only wants to demolish its current, rundown shelter, but it wants to change the way it does business.

"We want to move from a government service agency to creating a strong donor base that will lead to our long-term sustainability," Salyards says.

The agency's forward-facing philosophy has opened its doors to women older than 18 - they now serve young women ages 12-20 - and developed easier access to the shelter, which resulted in a dramatic increase in services.

The shelter offers not only a place to stay, with hot meals and clean clothes, but staff members triage the unique issues facing these young women, while working to find them long-term, stable housing.

Those that qualify can move into one of two transitional residences the agency owns, including one in Des Plaines and one in Schaumburg, where they continue to receive mentoring and counseling services while attending school.

Last year, the shelter - which has 10 beds and allows stays of up to three weeks - served 110 young women, which was an increase of 135% over the prior year. Since 2013, The Harbour has experienced a nearly 300% increase in admissions and days of care.

Increasingly, it is drawing a different population of women older than 18, including trafficking survivors and young women with babies.

"That's the number one client that want help," Salyards says of the young mothers. "Without help, they are left to couch surf with their babies or sleep in the car. We can help them locate housing, in-home support and early literacy programs."

This unique outreach to at-risk young women is drawing financial support of individual donors and corporate foundations, who have helped to boost the capital campaign.

At the agency's fundraiser in October, Harbour officials held their first paddle raise, giving supporters the ability to sponsor one night in the shelter or helping to keep girls off the street.

With that short description, they drew $10,000 in immediate financial support, Salyards says.

What's more, officials with Omron Foundation in Hoffman Estates made a lead gift of $250,000 to jump-start the campaign.

Nigel Blakeway, president of Omron Foundation Inc. and CEO of Omron Management Center of America, Inc., said The Harbour and its mission resonated with his employees, who care about people in need in the community and want to make a positive difference.

"We are proud to support The Harbour," Blakeway says, "as they create a safe environment for young women to grow and prosper and ultimately become contributors to society."

The Harbour offers various levels to support the campaign, including sponsoring an individual room in the new shelter. Officials hope to break ground in the spring.

For information on how to participate, visit https://theharbour.org/index.html. Interested supporters may also mail checks, payable to: The Harbour, Inc., 1440 Renaissance Drive, Suite 240, Park Ridge, IL 60068, ATTN: Kris Salyards.

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How you can help The Harbour

The Harbour has launched Project 2020: Opening Doors, a capital campaign to help it serve more teens and young women in need.

There are many ways donors and volunteers can help:

• Make a campaign commitment to Project 2020

• Make a one-time or monthly donation

• "Adopt a Night" with a $100 gift

• Purchase tickets to the Opening Doors Gala fundraiser in April 2020

• Host a drive for hygiene and toiletry items or purchase items from The Harbour's Amazon wishlist

• Volunteer: Year-round opportunities include event planning and support, youth programming, office assistance, building maintenance and cleanup, and more.

• Sign up to receive The Harbour Voice, the organization's newsletter.

Visit theharbour.org/get-involved, call (847) 297-8540 or email general@theharbour.org/.