In April 1996, a group of women who had moved to the Chicago area in the 1990s found that they had something in common. They all had belonged to various chapters of a national group that provides community-based philanthropic programs. So they decided to incorporate the Assistance League of Chicagoland West in Hinsdale.
Thirty years later, the group continues to focus its efforts on community-based philanthropy, providing family support where needed along with school clothing and books.
The Assistance League of Chicagoland Wests serves DuPage County and certain western Cook County communities that are close to Hinsdale, such as Hodgkins, La Grange, Western Springs and Countryside.
Once they got started, the founding women tried to attract others who were “interested in developing hands-on programs to address unmet needs in our local communities,” said Meg Cooper, the group’s vice president of donor development.
She said Assistance League chapters receive guidance from the national organization for establishing administrative and financial practices, but each chapter designs and executes its own philanthropic programs to address needs in their respective area.
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The local chapter now has 108 members, including three of its founders: Jan McGivern, Marilyn Krafthefer and Helene Paris.
Cooper said the longevity and success of the group is directly related to its mission.
“We have developed philanthropic programs that provide meaningful support for students and families in our community,” Cooper said, “That message of hands-on local support resonates with many individuals, businesses, and organizations.
“We are proud of the long-term support we have received from many of our members and donors, and we work each year to attract new supporters who value that mission.”
The group’s primary fundraiser, Books & Brunch, provides a significant portion of its yearly revenue, she said.
The next Books & Brunch is scheduled for Nov. 10. Tickets are available at e.givesmart.com/events/OP0/.
“Beyond monetary donations, we partner with individuals, businesses, foundations, and other community organizations to develop volunteering and giving opportunities,” Cooper said. “We work with businesses to establish discounted purchasing arrangements and in-kind donations.”
She said the group is always looking for new business partners, donors, and members to “help it help others.”
“Sponsorships and donations, whether corporate or private, big or small, allow us to continue our work serving those struggling around us,” Cooper said. “All funds raised remain local.”
While the communities it serves often are known as affluent, there is a definite need for assistance.
Cooper said the group’s research indicated in DuPage County 33% of students are eligible for free lunch, 11,273 families have incomes below the poverty line, 28% of renting households are rent-burdened (spending more than 30% of monthly income on rent) and 28% of households have incomes of less than $50,000, with the poverty line for a family of four being $32,150.
The Assistance League of Chicagoland West operates an Operation School Bell Program that provides winter coats, shopping days and emergency necessities to school children who are on free or reduced lunch or are homeless.
The organization partners with 16 school districts and three agencies for Operation School Bell , said Erin James, the group’s president-elect.
“Those children then receive brand new winter coats, hats and gloves, or are invited to participate in shopping days to purchase appropriate school clothing,” she said.
James said the Early Reading program provides gifts of books for pre-school and early elementary students who do not have books at home, along with the opportunity to interact in small groups with adult readers.
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“For our high school program, school social workers identify students experiencing homelessness, who are then invited to shop for clothing, accessories, household items and holiday gifts,” she said.
Additional aid is given to some students attending College of DuPage, including recent scholarships of $2,500 each to five students, Scholarship Committee member Tara DeGeer said.
Assistance League of Chicagoland West also has a New Start program that provides everything needed to get a kitchen up and running to those who are newly housed following homelessness.
“And we work with every agency in DuPage County, and many in Western Cook County, that serve the homeless,” DeGeer said.
She said the group has monthly chapter meetings, and sends out weekly emails that allow volunteers to sign up for committee meetings and volunteering opportunities.
DeGeer is also a school coordinator for the Operation School Bell Winter Coats program.
“We have had long-term relationships with many of the schools and agencies we currently work with,” she said. “As our resources have grown, we have sought to expand our reach.
“When we feel we are in a position to expand our school programs, we use the Illinois Report Card to find districts in our area with significant low-income populations that are in our geographic boundaries. We are also approached by school districts that learn about our programs from their peers.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.