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Crisis Center continues providing hope
Throughout the continual challenges posed by the pandemic our staff have never wavered in providing shelter and essential services for victims of domestic violence, and we have many successes to celebrate. Check out a few of these stories below, including how we helped two victims get on the path to independence from their abusers.
Grace moves to safety and begins working towards self-sufficiency

For victims of domestic violence like Grace, Transitional Housing provides a safe haven where they can focus on gaining independence from their abusers.

Grace called our hotline for help and courage. She needed to escape an abusive situation, and she found safety at our emergency shelter. In May, Crisis Center staff moved Grace from our shelter to her Transitional Housing apartment, which has provided her with much-needed stability.

Grace has been able to continue working at her job, and she has begun working with her case manager on budgeting skills so she has a clear savings plan to assist her in her goal of self-sufficiency.

"I am so grateful for this opportunity and appreciative of the services the Crisis Center is providing me," Grace said.
Rapid Re-housing finds a safe home for Angela

During the pandemic our Rapid Re-housing specialists have been busier than ever.

The goals of the Crisis Center’s Rapid Re-housing Program are to help people obtain housing quickly, increase self-sufficiency, and stay housed.

Since March, program staff have successfully moved seven clients into homes. One of them is Angela.

 When Angela came to the Crisis Center’s shelter to escape an abusive boyfriend, her goal was to find stable housing and be able to take care of herself and not depend on anyone. Through the Rapid Re-housing Program Angela received case management and housing services and was able to find an apartment of her own in May. 
Crisis Center Advocates continue partnering with courts and police to support victims

Throughout the pandemic our Court Advocates have continued to be present at the Circuit Court of Cook County Fifth and Sixth Municipal District Courthouses in Markham and Bridgeview. During March, April and May they assisted 115 domestic violence victims in obtaining Orders of Protection to keep them safe from their abusers and fielded hotline calls about Orders of Protection from victims of domestic violence throughout Cook County.

Our Advocates have also continued to partner with police through the Crisis Center’s Law Enforcement and Victim Outreach (LEAV) program to provide crucial resources and support to victims of domestic violence. Police departments have collaborated with the advocates so the Crisis Center can reach out to the victims. During March, April and May the advocates read 1,004 police reports and followed up with 857 victims to offer confidential assistance and information. 

“We are an essential service, and victims of domestic violence need these services. We have a wonderful group of employees who are dedicated to ensuring those services continue to be delivered,” said Barbara Gruca, Interim Director of Advocacy Services. 


We began returning clients to our shelter from local hotels in early June, with additional safety precautions in place to ensure their health and safety. With our clients back in shelter we are able to build deeper relationships with them and help them take steps toward achieving their goals. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call our 24-hour hotline at (708) 429-SAFE (7233).
Crisis Center mourns passing of longtime staff member
Our Crisis Center family experienced a very sad loss this month with the passing of longtime staff member Jennifer Graham.

Jennifer joined the Crisis Center staff in 1998. As our Hotline shift leader working the overnight hours, she helped countless victims of domestic violence find safety, hope and peace.

Jennifer, who left the world peacefully on June 18 at the age of 45, inspired everyone with her dedication, loyalty, compassion and willingness to help others. She will also be remembered for her love of family, friends, animals and children, and her passion for rescuing dogs.

Jennifer’s legacy will continue in the many lives she has impacted,
and she will be greatly missed. 
Customers, volunteers and donors return to Neat Repeats stores
In early June we were able to reopen both of our Neat Repeats resale shops. The net revenue generated from the stores covers 30% of our programs' operating expenses, and the stores also provide an opportunity for our clients to shop for clothes, household goods and other items for free. Our loyal customers, volunteers and donors were thrilled to return.

Shopping, donating or volunteering at Neat Repeats is a wonderful way to directly support victims of domestic violence. We invite you to join our volunteer team at Neat Repeats and share your time, talents and compassion. One 5-hour shift can make such an impact on so many. For more information or to volunteer, contact Deonne Mendyk at [email protected] or 331-431-9688.

"You are going above and beyond to help those most vulnerable in need. We appreciate all of the incredible work you are doing," a loyal Neat Repeats supporter commented on Facebook.
Neat Repeats Orland Park
9028 W. 159th St.
(708) 364-7605
Sunday - CLOSED
Monday - CLOSED
Tuesday - Thursday - 9-8
Friday - CLOSED
Saturday - 9-4

Donations accepted Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or as space permits
Neat Repeats Worth
6602 W. 111th St.
(708) 361-6860
Sunday - CLOSED
Monday - 9-4
Tuesday - Thursday - 9-8
Friday-Saturday - 9-4

Donations accepted Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or as space permits
Focus on Support
Spring Appeal most successful ever

We have relied heavily on our Emergency Services Program over the past few months to provide rental assistance, transportation, car repairs, prescriptions and more for our clients in crisis. We asked you to donate to our Spring Appeal to help us replenish this fund, and you came through!

Numerous gifts from more supporters than ever - including generous donations from Sam and Kari Aiello and the Dik Foundation - put us over our fundraising goal and ensured that we can continue to respond to our clients’ needs. Thank you to The Greer Foundation for matching donations and to all of you for making this our most successful Spring Appeal ever at a time when the Crisis Center and our clients need it most.
Corporate Champion Spotlight: CIBC Bank supports Crisis Center in obtaining PPP loan
 
The Crisis Center has faced unexpected costs in continuing to provide shelter and essential services to victims of domestic violence and their children during the pandemic. In addition, our two Neat Repeats resale stores -- the net revenues from which usually cover 30% of our programs' operating expenses -- lost more than $300,000 while they were closed from mid-March through early June. 

The Crisis Center was fortunate to receive a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act through CIBC Bank USA to help offset these losses, and we are grateful for the expertise and guidance throughout the application process of CIBC Managing Directors Mike Rittof and Kathleen Mahoney, who is also a member of the Crisis Center Board of Directors.  
 
"The influx of support from the PPP loan kept us afloat and stable. One of the keys to being a great organization is being a good steward of your resources, and the Crisis Center is definitely that," said Crisis Center Executive Director Pamela Kostecki. "We are so blessed by our partnership with CIBC. It is truly comforting to know that this Corporate Champion has our back in these unprecedented times." 
 
PPP is a business loan program established by the CARES Act to help small businesses, nonprofits and others continue paying their workers. The loan proceeds may be used to cover payroll costs, rent, mortgage interest and utilities. The loan may be partially or fully forgiven if employee counts and employee wages are kept stable. The program is implemented by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
 
"We recognize these are truly unprecedented times, and as a relationship-focused bank, we were able to help clients like the Crisis Center navigate through this program and secure important financing to support their mission," Mahoney said.
Moms Demand Action donate needed items for clients

The Crisis Center delivered cleaning supplies, toiletries and other needed items to our clients who stayed in hotels and who live in our Transitional Housing apartments. In mid-May the Crisis Center received a very generous donation of these and other items from a local chapter of Moms Demand Action. They ran a collection drive for us after calling to find out what we needed. Our community comes through for us in so many ways!

If you would like to organize a drive for items needed in our emergency shelter, contact Janice Barry at [email protected] or (708) 429-7255.
Supporters host community fundraisers

We are so grateful to our supporters who host community fundraisers for us. Recently Laura Marchese hosted a Pampered Chef event and donated her commission to us, and for a year Pat Markel invited participants in her free yoga class to donate to the Crisis Center at the end of each session. We are so grateful for their giving spirits!

There are so many ways individuals and businesses can raise funds for the Crisis Center. Have an idea? Want an idea? Contact Lisa Molloy at [email protected] or (708) 429-7255! 
Crisis Center supporters do kind things in honor of co-founder's birthday
Over the past few months the Crisis Center has been the fortunate recipient of incredible generosity and acts of kindness that help us better serve victims of domestic violence and their children, which is what Crisis Center co-founder Dianne Masters was all about.

Dianne was dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence with kindness, compassion and resources. Tragically, one of those victims was Dianne, who was murdered at the age of 35 in a plot devised by her husband. Her legacy lives on in the Crisis Center, which has served more than 60,000 people in the past 41 years.

Dianne would have turned 74 years old on June 26.

To pay forward the kindness received during these challenging times, the Crisis Center asked all of its supporters to do something kind for someone else in Dianne's memory the last weekend in June. Here are a few that were shared with us!

  • Cathy sent 30 K-cups of a nurse's favorite coffee to cheer her up and thank her for all the lives she saved.
  • Deborah has been helping out regularly at the Neat Repeats store in Worth, and the morning of Dianne's birthday she brought in a rose for each staff member and all the volunteers on the shift.  
Registration opens for Dianne Masters Cup Charity Golf Outing
Raffle, auction and Fund-a-Need open to all this year
The Crisis Center will host the 2020 Dianne Masters Charity Golf Outing on Tuesday, August 11 at Silver Lake Country Club! This major fundraiser is essential to help us continue to provide shelter and essential services free for victims of domestic violence and their children. 

This year’s outing will look a bit different, but we are incredibly excited to have a fun and successful event for all! 

Support us online
This year for the first time all Crisis Center supporters can buy tickets for our item raffle, bid on items in our silent auction and opt to Fund-a-Need. We need ALL of your support now more than ever so please join us and share the link with friends and family!

Register to golf
Illinois' latest guidelines for safe play include two-rider carts and a modified scramble format with staggered tee times. We are excited to announce that 18-hole golf registration is open to foursomes as of June 26. 9-hole foursome opportunities are also available. Register now to reserve your spot!

Sponsor our outing
You can also show your support for our outing as an event sponsor. Sponsorships are going fast, but we have many Hole Sponsorships still available. For just $250, sponsoring a hole is a wonderful way to show that your business supports the Crisis Center! Opportunities for a customized sponsorship are always available, as well. Call Lisa Molloy at (708) 429-7255 Ext. 126 or e-mail [email protected] .

Visit our event website to register to golf, learn more about sponsorship opportunities, make a donation, or sign up to participate in our silent auction, raffle or Fund-a-Need. Silent auction items will be posted soon!
Auxiliary to host virtual walk to raise funds for Crisis Center
The Crisis Center for South Suburbia Auxiliary has hosted a Walk Against Domestic Violence for many years, but this year due to the pandemic they are hosting a virtual event.

In lieu of registration, supporters can select a giving opportunity to show support for victims of domestic violence. All proceeds benefit the Crisis Center. The Auxiliary will be collecting funds throughout July and August.

Visit AuxWalk2020.givesmart.com to make a donation.
Shopping on Amazon.com? Start with Amazon Smile and choose the Crisis Center as a beneficiary and 0.5% of the profits will automatically be donated to the Crisis Center!