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Emergency Needs

The work itself is meaningful and fun

By Theresa Daniel I’ve been volunteering with the Howard and Evanston Community Center food pantry since April. It’s been an incredible experience. I'm enjoying it so much that I'm disappointed when it’s a holiday and I get the day off.     Volunteering here is special. This is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the country.  The food pantry serves long-time Rogers Park residents and recent immigrants from around the globe. The volunteers and staff, like the clients, come from diverse backgrounds as well.  Every day I'm there, I learn something new and interesting. It could be something fascinating

2018-11-13T15:32:57-06:00August 10th, 2018|Adults & Families, Emergency Needs|
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HECC helps domestic violence survivors navigate the cruelty of the courts

This is Erika Castillo Smith. She is a former Domestic Violence Legal Advocate at Howard and Evanston Community Center who represented over 100 people struggling with domestic violence. About half of her clients were immigrant women, some of whom are dealing with possible deportation. The majority are low-income. “This program is very important because the system is hard to navigate. We know the people and the court the system. We know how the departments work,” Erika said. Erika’s turf was the court at 555 West Harrison Street in Chicago. She served as HACC’s staunch advocate for survivors navigating the tangled

2022-01-18T13:12:35-06:00May 2nd, 2018|Adults & Families, Emergency Needs|
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Hunger aid is under attack!

In Rogers Park 20.1% - 35% of community members are food insecure, according to a 2016 Greater Chicago Food Depository statistic. And since 1967, Howard and Evanston Community Center has been devoted to alleviating hunger. DONATE HERE! But recent proposals to cut and alter services provided by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for low-income people will make survival even harder for women, children, immigrants, and unemployed adults and students in Rogers Park. In an uncertain political climate for social services, Howard and Evanston Community Center’s free hunger assistance and nutrition programs are more crucial than ever. HECC supporters have

2018-05-01T14:40:11-05:00April 11th, 2018|Emergency Needs, Health|
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Register today! New food pantry volunteer orientation on April 17th or 19th

REGISTER TODAY! Sign up on the Facebook event or email Maxine Bailey at volunteers@howardarea.org to attend by April 12th! HECC relies on over 700 volunteers every year to help Rogers Park children and families receive life-saving services. One way that you can join our incredible volunteer crew is by coming to the Food Pantry Volunteer Orientation! *Check out the incredible impact of HECC volunteers in this article about an adult education tutor!

2018-04-02T14:10:19-05:00April 2nd, 2018|Emergency Needs|
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Women’s group donates purses stocked with survival goods for DV survivors

When domestic violence survivors came to Howard and Evanston Community Center’s evening counseling group in Rogers Park last week, they were met with a joyful surprise– 80 colorful purses waiting for a home on their shoulder. One participant in the program, who is remaining anonymous due to safety concerns, said “It makes me feel happy that someone I don’t even know took the time to do this and has such a kind heart to give to me something that I can use everyday that I couldn’t afford on my own.” The donors are the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore, a

2018-04-06T13:30:32-05:00February 28th, 2018|Emergency Needs|
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Tammie found a home for her children & work after her addiction

In her youth, Tammie, 41, was abused by family members and boyfriends. Tammie looked to using drugs as an escape, but became addicted. It temporarily numbed her interpersonal pain, but left pain in its wake. “It was very hard to be anything- a friend, a daughter. I could only talk about my addiction. It was terrible,” Tammie said. The guilt was enormous, she said, especially because she has three children. When she went to stay with her daughter last year, she was served an ultimatum. “If you don’t get sober, I will never speak to you again,” her daughter said.

2018-04-06T13:33:25-05:00February 6th, 2018|Adults & Families, Emergency Needs|
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