Causes: Counseling, Crime & Law, Domestic Violence, Family Violence Shelters, Homeless & Housing, Mental Health, Protection Against Abuse

Mission: The Crisis Center for South Suburbia is a non-profit community organization that provides emergency shelter and other essential services for individuals and families victimized by domestic violence and addresses the societal issues that contribute to domestic violence. Neat Repeats Resale stores, located in Worth and Orland Park, Illinois, and now online provide one quarter of the organization’s operating revenue, allowing the Crisis Center to provide programs and services for victims of domestic violence free of charge.

Results: The Crisis Center for South Suburbia has been providing hope and services to victims of domestic violence for 40 years through housing, counseling, advocacy, outreach and prevention programs. While the Crisis Center for South Suburbia was officially incorporated in 1979, the work of the organization actually began in 1976 when a group of dedicated members of the Committee on Women of the Palos Branch of the American Association University Women began to study the issue of domestic violence in the south suburbs. Today, the Crisis Center for South Suburbia operates a 35-bed emergency shelter and has impacted the lives of more than 60,000 people. With a staff of more than 50 employees and a budget of over four million dollars, the Crisis Center continues to grow while offering free services to Chicago’s south suburban communities.

Target demographics: Victims of domestic violence in the greater Chicago southland

Direct beneficiaries per year: 2500

Geographic areas served: Chicago Southland

Programs:
The Crisis Center for South Suburbia offers individualized services for victims of domestic violence. Using an inter-disciplinary approach, educators, advocates, case managers, and clinical counselors work together to provide comprehensive resources and effective solutions for victims and the community.

The Emergency Residential Shelter Program provides a safe haven for women and children who are fleeing domestic violence. Through counseling, advocacy, life-skills and job-skills training, each client focuses on regaining self confidence and independence. Mothers learn to understand the effects that domestic abuse has on children and learn tools to improve the mother-child relationship. Children receive age- appropriate counseling and therapies during their stay.

Counseling Services offer individual, group, and family counseling to individuals affected by domestic violence. Clients receive support to heal from abuse and explore options for safety and independence.

The Court Advocacy Services work with victims of domestic violence in the Circuit Court of Cook County Fifth and Sixth Municipal Districts, providing education on the Illinois Domestic Violence Act; information on legal options; equiping victims with a safety plan; advocating on their behalf with the legal system. This program provides individual court advocacy for victims, as well as institutional advocacy and professional training.

Hospital Advocacy services work with victims at Advocate Christ Medical Center to provide safety and referrals, and educates medical professionals on screening for DV.

Community Education provides domestic violence education to the general public to increase awareness of the issues surrounding DV, offering increased understanding and appropriate response to victims, enhanced safety for victims, awareness of resources for victims, and a decrease of domestic violence incidents.