Following is a list of some social organizations serving residents of Park Ridge and Des Plaines.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
The Center of Concern: 1580 N. Northwest Highway, Suite 310, Park Ridge, IL 60068. 847-823-0453, fax: 847-824-8437. Web site: www.park-ridge.il.us/center/. Services include Alzheimer’s support group; employment program; financial counseling; grief and loss support group; intergenerational programs; legal counseling; home sharing; home care referral; homeless transitional program; long-term counseling.
Salvation Army Corps and Community Center, 1852 S. Elmhurst Rd., Mt. Prospect, IL 60056. 847-981-9111, fax: 847-981-9110. Web site: www.salvos.com/DesPlainesIl/default.htm. Short- and long-term comprehensive counseling; homemaker service; client advocacy and coordination of services; limited financial assistance; community information and referral; employee assistance program; food pantry.
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Avenues to Independence: 777 Busse Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068. 847-318-0870, fax: 847-318-0873. Web site: www.avenuestoindependence.org/index.html. Group home residential services to those with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities.
HAVE Dreams (Helping Autistic Voices Emerge): 930 Busse Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068. 847-384-0250, fax: 847-384-1242. Web site: www.havedreams.org/. Supports and assists children ages 2-14 who have an autistic spectrum disorder and their families. Programs include socialization classes; independent living skills; music therapy.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Life Span: P.O. Box 445, Des Plaines, IL 60016. 847-824-0382, fax: 847-824-5311. Web site: www.life-span.org/. Comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence and their children. Services include individual and group counseling for teens, women and their children; legal representation in English, Polish and Spanish; criminal court advocacy in English, Polish and Spanish; public education; institutional training; public policy reform; 24-hour crisis line: 847-824-4454.
HOSPICE SERVICES
Rainbow Hospice: 444 N. Northwest Highway, Suite 145, Park Ridge, IL 60068. 847-685-9900, fax: 847-685-6390. Web site: www.rainbowhospice.org/. Serves people who are terminally ill and families who are bereaved. Services include visits by registered nurses; home health aides; social work services; chaplain services; medical equipment and supplies; medications; individual and family counseling; support groups; loss-related publications; memorial services.
SENIOR SERVICES
The Des Plaines Senior Center: 515 Thacker St., Des Plaines, IL 60016. 847-391-5717, fax:847-391-5735.Website:www.desplaines. org/Services/HumanResources/SeniorEmploymentServices.htm. The agency acts as a referral service matching employers with prospective employees. Both parties are required to fill out brief forms, which are reviewed by an employment counselor. There are no service fees. Additional services include information and referral; daily meal provision at Andy’s Restaurant, 1515 Oakton St.; transportation.
TOWNSHIP SERVICES
Elk Grove Township: 2400 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005. 847-437-0300, fax: 847-437-0434. Web site: www.elkgrovetownship.com/. Passport applications; voter registration; notary public; hunting and fishing licenses; township maps; handicapped parking applications; temporary handicapped parking placards; Cook County vehicle stickers; senior citizen Dial-a-Bus; emergency assistance; food pantry; access to care intake; information and referral.
Leyden Township: 2501 N. Mannheim Rd., Franklin Park, IL 60131. 847-455-8616, fax: 847-455-8632. Web site: www.leydentownship.com. Senior services include 55/Alive program; telephone reassurance; handyman program; Dial-a-Ride; RTA reduced cards; senior subsidized cab program; senior day trips. Activities are offered for senior citizens and youths at the Leyden Township Community Center, 2620 N. Mannheim Rd. The township also operates the Senior Center, 2601 N. Mannheim Rd. Additional services include a peer jury for teens.
Maine Township: 1700 Ballard Rd., Park Ridge, IL 60068. 847-297-2510, fax: 847-297-1335. Web site: www.mainetownship.com/index.html. Sliding-scale fee counseling; Drop-In Teen Center; restitution program for first-time offenders (ages 12-17); parenting talks; job match-up program for youths and residents; vehicle stickers; temporary handicapped parking placards; hunting and fishing licenses; notary public; medic alert ID bracelets; township maps; transportation discounts to senior citizens.
Norwood Park Township: 7833 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge, IL 60706. 708-453-0861, fax: 708-453-9582. Senior citizen assistance; tax information; lunch program; taxi program; book exchange; two senior clubs; RTA passes; help with circuit breaker forms; state IDs.
Wheeling Township: 1616 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. 847-259-7730, fax: 847-259-1570. Web site: www.wheelingtownship.com/. Circuit breaker homeowner exemption forms; property tax bill information; individual assessment and map information; voter registration; election and legislative information. Services for the disabled include Meals-on-Wheels; advocacy; visually impaired support group. Services for senior citizens include driver’s refresher classes; health monitoring; flu shots; hearing and vision screenings; home visits; cholesterol and TB tests for residents; income tax assistance; educational forums; friendly visitor program; handyman service directory; lifeline kits; RTA reduced fare cards; bus service.
YOUTH SERVICES
Park Ridge Youth Campus: 733 N. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068. 847-823-5161, fax:847-823-9291, Web site: www.theyouthcampus.org/index.html. Adolescent residential treatment; foster care and adoption; kid power program; community based programs.
The Harbour Inc.: 1480 Renaissance Drive, Park Ridge, IL 60068. 847-297-8540, fax: 847-297-8562. Emergency shelter care for girls ages 12-28; transitional living services in a supervised setting for girls ages 16-20; independent living for homeless youths, male and female, ages 17-21.
