Frequently Asked Questions

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How long have you served the community?

Helping Hand Center has been a leader in serving persons with disabilities since 1955.

What is the mission of your organization?

Our mission is to assist persons with disabilities to achieve their highest level of independence through quality programs and services.

How many clients do you serve?

We provide "Service for Life" to over 500 children and adults, from infants to seniors.

Which communities do you serve?

Our clients span over 70 surrounding communities, including Berwyn, Brookfield, Burr Ridge, Cicero, Countryside, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, LaGrange, Lyons, Riverside, Summit, Westmont, Western Springs, Willowbrook, and numerous others.

Where is your organization located?

For directions to any of our locations, please call us at (708) 352-3580.

Main Location

9649 West 55th Street

Countryside, Illinois   60525

Our main site is our largest dacility and is where most of our programs and services are offered. At this location, you will find our Children's Services, most of our Adult Services, some of our High School Transition Services, and our administrative offices.

Evans Center

16248 Parker Road

Homer Glen, Illinois   60491

At this site, we offer a developmental training program for clients that have more specialized physical needs.

Subcon Packing & Assembly

10 North Beach Avenue

LaGrange, Illinois   60525

Our faciliy subcontracts with local business and employs people from our community, including clients from our Adult Services and High School Transition programs.

Helping Hand Thrift Shop

3726 Grand Boulevard

Brookfield, Illinois   60513

We operate a community-based thrift shop with proceeds to benefit Helping Hand Center.

In addition, we have 11 residential homes in the community.

What programs and services do you provide?

Our clients enjoy our vast resources to empower their lives, including our:

School for Children with Autism

Pediatric Outpatient Clinic

Early Intervention Screenings

Parent Support

High School Transition Programs

Employment Services

Developmental Training for Adults

Housing Opportunities

Special Recreation

Do you provide housing opportunities for people with disabilities?

Helping Hand Center's residential services began in 1979 and today, close to 80 clients live in our eleven residential homes with supportive living arrangements. All of our homes are located in the west suburban area.

Do you assist people with disabilities find employment?

Yes, our committed staff provides job skill assessments, application and interview training, assistance with finding available positions, and post-hire job coaching.

What services does your School for Children with Autism provide?

Our full-day, year-round program is designed specifically for children on the Autism spectrum. We offer a very small staff-to-student ratio, small class sizes, and highly-skilled staff members. Each of our four classrooms provides a Learning Behavioral Specialist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Speech and Language Therapist. Additionally, our support staff includes an Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist.

Can I schedule a visit?

To schedule a guided tour of our program and service areas for yourself or your organization, please contact us at (708) 352-3580 ext. 221.

What makes Helping Hand Center stand apart?

Helping Hand Center ensures exceptional standards of care through our high client-to-staff ratios, individualized training programs, 24-hour residential supervision, full transportation services, award-winning school, and fully-accredited programs. Our agency is a valuable resource for our clients, their families, and our community.

How are you funded?

Clients recieve funding through a variety of sources, including state funding, private pay, Lyons Township Mental Health Commission, Riverside Township Mental Health Commission, corporate and private foundations, and generous individuals.

Which areas will my donations support?

As a nonprofit organization, we make every effort to ensure efficiency with all of our resources and truly accomplish the greatest amount with each generous donation. You may designate your donation to aparticular program, or for general use. We will honor your wishes and appreciate your generosity in support of our agency and all of our programs.

How can I help?

We have several ways in which you can contribute:

Donate

Make a donation of real estate or other assets to the agency.

Consider including Helping Hand Center as a part of your estate planning.

Donate to and shop at our Helping Hand Thrift Shop in Brookfield.

Donate your vehicle through our "Donate Your Car" program.

Donate new and gently-used items for our residential homes and programs.

Volunteer

At our Helping Hand Thrift Shop in Brookfield

At our annual fundraising events

For our programs and services

For our Special Olympics teams

For our Board of Directors