Illinois Times invited area non-profit organizations to share their
special needs this holiday season. This feature concludes with this edition.
Other organizations requesting assistance include Care Center of Springfield,
Central Illinois Foodbank, The Committee for Children, Episcopal Food Pantry,
Fifth Street Renaissance, First Presbyterian Food Pantry, Helping Hands of Springfield,
Homeownership Coalition for People with Disabilities, M.E.R.C.Y. Communities,
Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery, Music in Communities and Education, Phoenix Center,
Rutledge Youth Foundation, and Senior Services of Central Illinois. Their information
is included in prior “Lend a hand” columns available at www.illinoistimes.com
American Red Cross, Illinois Capital Area Chapter
1025 S. Sixth St., P.O. Box 1058, Springfield, IL 62705
217-522-3357, www.il-redcross.org
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to life’s emergencies. We are able to meet this mission through our disaster relief efforts, community preparedness education, Meals on Wheels, and Time to Care Respite services. Every three days there is a disaster in our community, leaving families without homes, clothing, or food. Every day there is a senior in our community who is without a hot, nutritious meal. Every day in our community there are caregivers who haven’t had the opportunity to take a break from their day-in and day-out care for their loved ones. Every day in our community there are individuals who get injured or need CPR.
The Red Cross wish list includes: volunteers to assist in disaster relief, helping us provide the immediate emergency needs to families who have just been affected by a disaster; volunteers to assist in training individuals in CPR and First Aid; volunteers to help deliver our Meals on Wheels routes; volunteers to provide a break for the many caregivers in our community through our Respite program; nurse volunteers for our many First Aid Stations; one-time use laundry detergent packs (sealed); donations to help support all of our services. To volunteer or make a donation, call 522-3357.
Lawrence Education Center
101 East Laurel St., Springfield, IL 62704
217-525-3233
Lawrence Education Center, which opened in 1977, offers these services to the Springfield community: basic literacy education for adults, an opportunity to complete a secondary education with a high school diploma, preparation for the GED exam, short-term job training, and continuing education programs. In addition, Lawrence offers tutoring support, transportation, access to the Lawrence Memorial Library and library privileges, and job placement services. Lawrence enrolled over 1,300 students during the 2002-2003 school year who enrolled in adult education classes to obtain GED and high school diplomas, as well as short-term training to increase their employment skills.
Lawrence is collecting classroom supplies (paper, pens, and pencils), hats and gloves for teens or adults, and books for the Lawrence Memorial Library. Donations can be dropped off at Lawrence, 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. (Mon.-Thu.) and 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (Fri.).
Positive Options, Referrals and Alternatives
930 S. Eleventh St., Springfield IL 62703
217-522-3922
P.O.R.A. is a not-for-profit six-bed residential facility founded in 1993 for women who were prostitutes and have chosen to change their lifestyle. All services are free. The women progress through the program from the restricted probation period to employment, transitional housing, and independent living. A graduation ceremony is held for women completing the program by fulfilling all the requirements, which includes opening a savings account. Three women graduated in 2003. P.O.R.A. is completely funded by grants and donations.
P.O.R.A.’s needs are always financial, but also include: paper goods, cleaning
supplies and office supplies. In addition this year our women have requested
personal intimate items. A gift certificate to Penny’s would fulfill this wish.
Donors can contact Lucy at P.O.R.A. at 522-3922, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.).
This article appears in Dec 18-24, 2003.
