Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in building healthy communities, providing critical services, and are the voice of those they serve. A panel of experts in Kane County will talk about the needs within the community, the services they provide, and how they are utilizing a collaborative approach with community elected officials and agencies to increase positive change for all from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 at Pottawatomie Community Center 8 North Avenue, St. Charles.
Speakers will include: Michelle Meyer, executive director Mutual Ground and Breaking Free; Joseph McMahon, Kane County State’s attorney; Lauren Jernigan, division director of development Hesed House; Neil McMenamin, MSW associate director – division director of programs Hesed House; Ed Hunter, regional mission services office at Amita Mercy Medical Center; Dawn McQuillan, Lazarus House outreach manager; and Tasha Curry, Lazarus House volunteer coordinator.
Director Myers will give details of the role Mutual Ground (MG) plays in providing emergency support, legal advocacy, shelter and ongoing services to survivors of sexual and domestic abuse. She will speak to MG’s recent merger with Breaking Free, a mission to rebuild those impacted by substance use and other life challenges. She will explain the sources of funding, and the impact of the state budget crises had on MG’s ability to carry out its mission.
McMahon will explain the role that Mutual Ground plays within the Kane County Court system. He will speak to the role Hesed House and Lazarus House play in our community supporting those in need and their vital role in our criminal justice system. These nonprofits are not additional support for those in need. They are the essential support.
Jernigan, director of development at Hesed House, will discuss the collaborative approach of not only providing emergency food and shelter, but offering a full medical clinic, legal department, job training/placement and counseling center. She will discuss FUSE initiative, a collaboration and partnership between the City of Aurora, Aurora Fire and Police, and local medical providers to target the needs of those who are the highest percent of users in the Aurora area.
Lazarus House, another nonprofit that provides safe shelter, food and a range of support services for men, woman and children in need will present on how the services provided are essential for the well-being of residents in our county. McQuillan, Lazarus House outreach manager, will discuss the important partnership of State and Federal agencies in providing grants to help individuals regain or remain in housing and the critical role the officials in St. Charles have in assisting those in need.
When those in our community are in urgent need, they rely on nonprofits to provide vital support. These organizations are supported largely by private donations, but community, State, and federal funding are critical to keep the doors open. Allocation of funding is always tight. Many of us have representation privilege, the ability to give voice to our concerns to those who represent us to secure necessary funding.
Learn more about how you give can give to those in need through the work of these nonprofits with your time, talent, treasures, and your vote and your voice.
We Can Lead Change (WCLC) – Fox Valley is an unfunded, bi-partisan grassroots organization run by committed, passionate volunteers. It was formed by a group of concerned women and men in response to an action item (“Form a local huddle.”) voiced at the Women’s March in January 2017. WCLC successfully has campaigned and led rallies that have far exceeded expectations and continue to influence the local Kane County and national political climate. Information is available at www.wecanleadchange.com or contact wecanleadchange@gmail.com.
—We Can Lead Change – Fox Valley