Programs of Together We Cope


Financial Assistance

Limited funds are available to qualified families facing a crisis. Funds assist with rent/mortgage payments, past-due utility bills, emergency motel rooms for shelter, medications, transportation and a food voucher program.

Clothing Program

Free clothing, furniture, household and personal care items are given to qualified, registered clients. Clients needing larger items such as furniture that is unavailable in the shop are listed in our "needs Book" and matched with donors as desired items become available. This program can stretch a family budget immensely.

Food Pantry and Food Voucher Program

Food items are available to families in need from Bremen, Worth, Palos and Orland Township that do not have pantry services available.

Back to School Supplies

We offer donated school supplies and backpacks to families with school age children on an "as needed/as available" basis. Gift certificates for new shoes and vouchers for clothing for children and teens are also given. Together We Cope believes that education and a stable home environment are the keys to breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

Resale Shoppe

Clothing, accessories, household items, furniture and crafts are offered at no cost to registered clients of Together We Cope and for sale to the public in the Sensible Resale Shoppe operated by TWC. All proceeds benefit the TWC clients and programs. Excess donations are given to a variety of charities such as churches, non-profit organizations, and shelters.

Volunteer Program

Our volunteer Board of Directors work side by sid with community members interested in volunteering to help others. Teen volunteers and community service workers are encouraged to be part of all programs. Training is provided for a variety of duties. All that is needed is a willingness to work to help others. Jobs available include office, clerical, donation sorters, fundraising and newsletter publishing to name a few. Last year volunteers gave over 15,000 hours of their time to alleviate the struggle of the working poor, needy and disadvantaged in our communities.

Community Information and Referral

Recognizing that callers and clients are often unaware of available resources, TWC works to connect callers to appropriate counseling, social service agencies, and other available services. When necessary, TWC advocates on behalf of clients.

Job Connection/Educational Referral

TWC refers clients to the appropriate education or job training resources as needed. Clients are supplied with the latest leads on openings for employment, individualized help is available for interview techniques, appropriate clothing for interviews and a variety of job related needs.

Networking

TWC is a member of various coalitions, councils and groups advocating and working to help the homeless and people in need. In-kind goods and services are shared with other social service agencies, residential centers and homeless programs to improve the quality of life for our neighbors in need.

Service Area

All or parts of four surrounding townships are served (Bremen, Orland, Palos and Worth). TWC works to connect the callers to the nearest source for help. TWC does not deny service to anyone in need who does not have services available within their community.

Special Holiday Projects:

Thanksgiving turkeys and boxes of food are distributed for families to enjoy a holiday dinner.

Adopt a Family program: At Christmas, TWC offers an adopt a family program where the communities, churches and businesses adopt families to provide gifts of toys and pajamas. TWC provides the children with new hats, gloves, socks and underwear.

Easter Basket program: Easter baskets are handed out to children along with preparations for Easter Dinner.


Together We Cope works on an agency-to agency level, sharing services and in-kind goods. Each year any excess holiday goods are distributed to other charitable organizations and shelters.