ORGANIZATION HIGHLIGHT // Family Focus + The Giving Storeroom

This quarter (March-June), we will be highlighting Family Focus Evanston + The Giving Storeroom

A Chicago-based social service nonprofit organization, who's mission is: to promote the well-being of children from birth by supporting and strengthening families in and with their communities. — They help parents gain confidence and competence as the primary caregivers and educators of their children. They also provide parents and their children with critical resources and learning opportunities to encourage healthy development in their communities.

They operate programs in community centers located across the Chicagoland region, including the north, west, south and southwest suburbs.

Aurora
DuPage
Englewood
Evanston
Highland Park/Highwood (formerly Family Network)
Hyde Park
Lawndale
Nuestra Familia (Chicago’s Northwest side/Cicero)
South Holland
South Shore

Their centers are located in communities where residents confront many risk factors, including domestic and public violence, poverty, single parent households, higher rates of teen pregnancy, poor school performance, and more. They customize programming based on the needs of each community to meet their unique needs based on demographics, services already offered, and available resources.

SERVICES:

Early Childhood Development
Youth Development
Family Support Services
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group
Foster Street Urban Agriculture Program (with The Evanston Food Exchange)
The Giving Storeroom (Food Pantry + Valarie D. Summers Clothing Closet)

THE GIVING STOREROOM:

FOOD PANTRY // A community resource where Evanston residents may “shop” (free of charge) for non-perishable food items including canned staples (corn, beans, chili, vegetables, etc.), cereal, rice, and pasta. All of the items are provided by community donations.
CLOTHING CLOSET // A community resource where Evanston residents may “shop” (free of charge) for items such as gently-used, seasonal clothing for men, women, and children, toys, strollers, and various other family items. All of the items are provided through community donations. We do our best to offer high-quality items throughout the year.