Contact Information

Food Drives

Together We Cope’s food pantry is well stocked during the holidays, when many people are moved to help their fellow man. This allows us, in turn, to help many south suburban families who are struggling to make ends meet in hard times.

Unfortunately, after the holidays our pantry often is nearly bare. We appreciate the thoughtfulness of those who run food drives to benefit us at other times of the year. Organizing a food drive takes some planning. We can help you get your food drive plan together, and give you a list of the most-needed items at any time of the year.

Contact us at (708) 633-5040 and ask for the food pantry to get further information. Volunteers are always welcome to work a few hours a week in our food pantry and learn more about our operation.

During the average six-month transition period, each participant will receive intensive case management services, employment and income counseling, life skills training and housing counseling services.  Case managers will help each family identify, assess, address and resolve each of the issues, which may be an obstacle to success.  The case managers will also motivate the family members, encouraging them as they grapple with their personal/family issues.

Families First participants will also be eligible to receive food, clothing, furniture and personal care items. Through project partners, participants will also be eligible to receive health services, educational opportunities and behavioral and mental health services.

After a successful first phase, clients will have eased into paying 100% of their rent and financial obligations. However, they are still given an opportunity to participate in the life skills classes and attend any outings or get-togethers sponsored by the program. Their case manager will continue to be available to them should they need anything.

We feel it is a privilege to assist them and are proud of their efforts.

According to one of our recent graduates: “Becoming homeless is not only about not having a place to sleep; it is also about feeling guilty for letting your children down.  It is about going into survival mode and losing the respect of your family, friends and even yourself.  It causes the parent-child relationship to break down and families can become disconnected.  A program like Families First addresses not only the problem of not having a place to sleep, but also helps parents and their children reconnect.  It restores respect and trust within the family unit.”

This year the needs are greater with over 1,200 children already identified with needs and more are added everyday.

This year warm sleepwear is the focus of the TWC Adopt-a-Child Program.

Together We Cope is gearing up for its annual Christmas Adopt-a-Child campaign and the call has gone out for new children’s sleepwear in all sizes.

in 2008, the program served a record number of children in need totaling 1,036 children receiving gifts for the holiday.  In this program, businesses, organizations, families or individuals “adopt” a family of children and provide gifts on the little ones’ wish lists.

In the past, TWC also has provided each child with pajamas or a sweatshirt. Unfortunately, corporate funding for this part of the program is no longer available and TWC this year is relying on its friends to fill the gap.

Suellen Wolk, community relations coordinator, explained the need for warm sleepwear.  “Some of our clients can’t afford to heat their homes adequately, and others who are unemployed don’t have the resources to buy warm winter necessities,” she said.

Wolk said warm sleepwear, surprisingly, shows up on many Christmas wish lists of children who are the beneficiaries of TWC’s Adopt-a-Child program. Further information on the program is available from Wolk at (708) 633-5040 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .