What is Together We Cope’s mission?

•  Our mission is to bridge the gap for Southland residents in temporary crisis by providing food, shelter, clothing and referrals, empowering them to return to self-sufficiency.   

Who does Together We Cope help?

•  Under-employed workers – minimum-wage or reduced-hours workers unable to feed their family

•  Victims of disaster – those displaced by fire or similar disasters requiring immediate assistance

•  Single parents – workers maintaining jobs and raising children alone

•  Grandparents – unexpectedly raising small children again

•  Victims of sudden or catastrophic illness – disabled or injured bread-winners facing unexpected loss of income

•  Elderly and disabled persons – those unable to afford both food and medication on their fixed income

•  Recently unemployed workers – job-seekers unemployed due to economic conditions, downsizing, outsourcing, and layoffs

How does Together We Cope help?

•  With dignity and respect, Together We Cope provides food, clothing and financial assistance for rent, mortgage and utilities. Each day, more than 55 families pick up food from the food pantry. The number of families seeking assistance continues to grow each year.

•  TWC’s Adopt-a-Child program provides our client’s children with Christmas presents and clothing. Some of these children would not have anything under their Christmas tree if not for this program. More than 1,200 children received gifts for Christmas in 2010.

•  TWC’s Back to School Program provides children with necessary school supplies and backpacks. This program helps raise self-esteem and provides an opportunity for the children to make the most of their education.

What can you do to help?

•  Most needed is food to accommodate the large number of people using the food pantry. Food certificates and money are always useful and greatly appreciated.

•  During the holidays, turkeys and hams are needed to provide holiday dinners.

•  Adopt children at Christmas and provide children’s gifts to a family needing help.

•  Donate school supplies to further a child’s education. Supplies are collected throughout the year.

•  Volunteer at TWC or the Nu2u Resale Shop. Four hours a week can make a difference.

•  Supporting TWC’s fundraisers is another way to contribute. Enjoy yourself at our annual Dinner Dance and Silent Auction at the Odyssey Country Club on February 24, 2012. Our next golf outing fundraiser will be on Wednesday, June 6, 2012. All of these events provide necessary funds to continue TWC’s programs.

How did Together We Cope help in 2010/2011?

•  TWC provided emergency assistance, special programs, on-going supportive services and case management to 8,793 individuals.

•  Rent, mortgage and utility assistance – emergency payments to prevent homelessness valued at $185,000

•  Food assistance – 55 families per day, on average, received a week’s groceries, valued for the year at $1,041,000

•  Clothing – Clients shopped in the TWC resale shop, Nu2u, with credit vouchers valued at $142,000

•  Back-to-School program – provided clients with necessary school supplies and backpacks for more than 1,100 children

•  Adopt-a-Child holiday program – provided clients with Christmas presents and clothing for more than 1,200 children

•  Families First programs – TWC provided transitional to permanent supportive housing for homeless families with children and permanent supportive housing for homeless families with children where at least one adult has a disability

•  Volunteer Hours – TWC volunteers donated 31,392 hours of their time to help Together We Cope fulfill its mission.

2011/2012 Events

•  Back to School – collection of school supplies throughout the year

•  Pasta Extravaganza and mock horse races – September 14, 2011 at Orland Chateau

•  Thanksgiving food collection – month of November

•  A Red Carpet Event annual dinner dance – February 24, 2012 at Odyssey Country Club

•  Together We Cope golf outing – Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at Odyssey Country Club

Our Service Area

We serve the townships of Bremen, Orland, Palos, and Worth, including the communities of Alsip, Blue Island,* Bridgeview,* Chicago Ridge, Country Club Hills,* Crestwood, Evergreen Park, Harvey,* Hazel Crest,* Hickory Hills, Hometown, Homewood,* Markham,* Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Posen, Robbins, Tinley Park,* and Worth. (* asterisk indicates we serve only a part of this community)