The Center of Concern respond to the needs of older adults and the disadvantaged in the community by providing services to help them maintain their independence with dignity, alleviate isolation, and promote physical and emotional well-being. The agency’s mission is to “provide housing solutions, support services, and counseling for older adults, the disabled, and others in need, enabling them to live with dignity and independence.” Both Des Plaines and Niles have been the primary service area for the Center of Concern for many decades, with significant contacts, supports, and long term-programs in place. These programs include recent outreach for rental, mortgage, and utility assistance to those affected by COVID-19.
With this funding opportunity, the Center of Concern will participate in the Regional Learning and Action Networks as a resource to effectively disseminate timely and accurate COVID-19 information and provide education and outreach, expand existing programs and services. They will increase their positive impact by expanding grocery delivery, friendly visit and wellness check-in phone calls, weekday lunches, homelessness prevention, and housing counseling, and will also be able to initiate a new free COVID-19 care packages and information distribution program, as well as distributing pantry boxes stocked with shelf-stable food items. This will allow the Center of Concern to effectively address the increased risk of illness, isolation, anxiety, depression, and food and housing insecurity which vulnerable community members are facing.