The Face of

2017

WCCCCAnnual Report

The mission of Will County Center for Community

Concerns is to assist and enable low and moderate

income individuals to obtain the opportunities needed to

prepare themselves for self-sufficiency.

Will County Center for Community Concerns is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization as

determined by the IRS. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

2455 Glenwood Avenue • Joliet, Illinois 60435 • 815-722-0722 • www.wcccc.net

Office Hours:Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm • Wednesday: 8:00am – 7:30pm

Providing Hope through Self-Sufficiency

Providing Hope through Self-Sufficiency

From the

Executive DirectorFrom the

Executive DirectorDear Friends,

he Will County Center for Community Concerns (WCCCC) has been providing hope to low-and moderate-income members of our community through the services we have

provided for the past 31 years.

When people come to WCCCC, they are struggling and often without much hope that their situation will improve. WCCCC helps thousands of the most needy and vulnerable people in our community – single mothers who cannot afford their utility bills in the winter, low-income families struggling to ensure that their children do not become homeless, veterans who cannot afford to have their home fixed, seniors who cannot afford their prescriptions, homeless individuals who don’t know where their next meal will come from or where they will spend the next night, and more. Our services bring hope to even desperate situations and help people in need overcome the challenges they face, stabilize their lives, and look forward to a brighter future.

I want to thank our donors, our elected officials, our Board of Directors and staff, our volunteers, and all of our community partners for their support. The time, resources, and expertise that they provide to WCCCC are invaluable and help our agency make a true difference in Will County. Thanks to everyone that helps us make Will County a better place to live.

KrisKris White

Providing Hope through Self-Sufficiency

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31 YEARSOF PROVIDINGSERVICE AND HOPE

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From the

Board ChairFrom the

Board Chair

he Will County Center for Community Concerns (WCCCC) provides tangible benefits to thousands of Will County residents in need each year. We can easily count the

number of homes repaired or weatherized, utility bills paid and shut offs avoided, homes saved from foreclosure, food baskets provided, and more. However, the intangible benefits that WCCCC provides may be just as important.

When clients come to WCCCC, they often feel lost and hopeless. At WCCCC, clients not only receive the tangible help they need to improve their situation, they also receive kindness, understanding, and respect. This creates hope – hope that provides them the will to keep persevering in the face of difficulties, hope that provides them with the energy to pursue their goals, hope that ensures that they do not give up. Hope lets us look beyond what is to what could be. Hope provides a foundation upon which to build and strive for a better life, and WCCCC helps to ensure that those in need in our community never completely lose hope.

As Board Chair, I would like to express my appreciation to all those who have helped WCCCC provide hope to those in need and to improve our community. Thank you.

Linda Pote, Board Chair

Linda Pote, ChairFrank Fleischer, Vice ChairMichele Batara, SecretaryFrank Costa, TreasurerRon AlbericoMichelle AllenKevin CronkGlenn Ginder

Cornell LurryMissy MartinMary Ann MurphySandi PerzeeRay SolimanShawn WalshSheldon Watts

Board of Directors

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Adler RoofingAidan's CreationsAlliant Credit Union FoundationAl's Steak House & BanquetsAMC New Lenox 14 TheatresArcos EnvironmentalArne & Jeanie YoungAssociated Orthodontists, LtdBarb SmithBecki HackettBerlinsky Scrap CorpBetty CapistaBMO HarrisBrad & Michelle AllenBronkberry FarmsCatherine YanikowskiCatholic CharitiesCenter for Disability ServicesChannahon TownshipChicago Bears Football ClubChicken N SpiceCitgoCity of Crest HillCornell LurryCracker Barrel Old County StoreDan StevensonDave CannDavid Anthony SalonDebra MossDenis SpurlockDiamand Family RestaurantDiane SewingDonna DettbarnDuPage TownshipEd & Sheryl JaquaysElizabeth DunnFabio & Nancy Franchi

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Faodail DesignsFilotto Construction IncFirst Community BankFirst Midwest BankFrank & Kathie CostaFrank & Laurie FleischerFriaco's Mexican Restaurant & CantinaFull Circle FoundationGeorge Eisenberg Foundation for CharitiesGlenn & Bonnie GinderGrant StaffGreen Garden Country ClubHarrah's CasinoHarry McSteenHenry WinklerHeroes WestHolly BarnundHollywood BoulevardHomewood Disposal ServiceJack PiccioloJackie BarnsJackson TownshipJames & Mary MaragosJames & Rita ZelkoJames HoganJane KierneyJayne PressonJeff & Michele BataraJoan EslingerJoliet Jewish WelfareJoliet Junior Womans ClubJoliet Kiwanis ClubJoliet Public LibraryJoliet SlammersJudy WootenJulie CarcoKaren Sobero

Karen's Pet GroomingKenneth & Mary Ann MurphyKevin & Katie CronkKinzler JanitorialKlem's Pizza & GrillKnights of ColumbusKRM Tax & AccountingKSKJ LifeLarry & Irene WalshLaw Office of Donald GouldLes & Kris WhiteLinda ParkerLockport TownshipM&M BankMark & Anita SchneidwindMartin WhalenMaureen PoolMayor Tim BaldermannMeijer SupermarketMenardsMichael HennessyMichael's PizzaMidland States BankMike & Missy MartinMilano BakeryMonee TownshipMorning Star MissionsMr. Benny's Steak & Lobster HouseMr. SubmarineNetwork for GoodNicor GasOAKK ConstructionOld Fashioned Pancake HouseOld Plank Tail Community BankOld Second BankOzinga FoundationParliament BuildersPatti ReitsmaPaul BoettoPeotone TownshipPete Ragusa

PetSmartPizza for UPresence HealthPriority StaffingPublic Landing RestaurantRathburn, Cservenyak & Kozol LLCReich, Jumbeck & StoleRichard & Patricia WillisRobert & Judy OgallaRobin Kelly for CongressRon & Laurie AlbericoRonald & Darcie GabriskoRonald PullmanSafari LandSchilling LumberScott & Kimberly LibarsherScott HeddingShari BuisShawn & Amy WalshSheldon & Cherron WattsShred XSky Zone Trampoline ParkState Farm InsuranceStrand AssociatesSweet Swirls BakeryTastefully SimpleTerry MorrisThree Rivers Association of RealtorsTin RoofTrinity FoundationVicki BaileyVictor FrattiVillage of BolingbrookVillage of RockdaleWalmartWalter & Linda PoteWendy PerrymanWermer, Rogers, Doran & RuzonWest Suburban Honda of JolietZanies Comedy Club

2017 Donors2017 Donors

Adler RoofingAidan's CreationsAlliant Credit Union FoundationAl's Steak House & BanquetsAMC New Lenox 14 TheatresArcos EnvironmentalArne & Jeanie YoungAssociated Orthodontists, LtdBarb SmithBecki HackettBerlinsky Scrap CorpBetty CapistaBMO HarrisBrad & Michelle AllenBronkberry FarmsCatherine YanikowskiCatholic CharitiesCenter for Disability ServicesChannahon TownshipChicago Bears Football ClubChicken N SpiceCitgoCity of Crest HillCornell LurryCracker Barrel Old County StoreDan StevensonDave CannDavid Anthony SalonDebra MossDenis SpurlockDiamand Family RestaurantDiane SewingDonna DettbarnDuPage TownshipEd & Sheryl JaquaysElizabeth DunnFabio & Nancy Franchi

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Faodail DesignsFilotto Construction IncFirst Community BankFirst Midwest BankFrank & Kathie CostaFrank & Laurie FleischerFriaco's Mexican Restaurant & CantinaFull Circle FoundationGeorge Eisenberg Foundation for CharitiesGlenn & Bonnie GinderGrant StaffGreen Garden Country ClubHarrah's CasinoHarry McSteenHenry WinklerHeroes WestHolly BarnundHollywood BoulevardHomewood Disposal ServiceJack PiccioloJackie BarnsJackson TownshipJames & Mary MaragosJames & Rita ZelkoJames HoganJane KierneyJayne PressonJeff & Michele BataraJoan EslingerJoliet Jewish WelfareJoliet Junior Womans ClubJoliet Kiwanis ClubJoliet Public LibraryJoliet SlammersJudy WootenJulie CarcoKaren Sobero

Karen's Pet GroomingKenneth & Mary Ann MurphyKevin & Katie CronkKinzler JanitorialKlem's Pizza & GrillKnights of ColumbusKRM Tax & AccountingKSKJ LifeLarry & Irene WalshLaw Office of Donald GouldLes & Kris WhiteLinda ParkerLockport TownshipM&M BankMark & Anita SchneidwindMartin WhalenMaureen PoolMayor Tim BaldermannMeijer SupermarketMenardsMichael HennessyMichael's PizzaMidland States BankMike & Missy MartinMilano BakeryMonee TownshipMorning Star MissionsMr. Benny's Steak & Lobster HouseMr. SubmarineNetwork for GoodNicor GasOAKK ConstructionOld Fashioned Pancake HouseOld Plank Tail Community BankOld Second BankOzinga FoundationParliament BuildersPatti ReitsmaPaul BoettoPeotone TownshipPete Ragusa

PetSmartPizza for UPresence HealthPriority StaffingPublic Landing RestaurantRathburn, Cservenyak & Kozol LLCReich, Jumbeck & StoleRichard & Patricia WillisRobert & Judy OgallaRobin Kelly for CongressRon & Laurie AlbericoRonald & Darcie GabriskoRonald PullmanSafari LandSchilling LumberScott & Kimberly LibarsherScott HeddingShari BuisShawn & Amy WalshSheldon & Cherron WattsShred XSky Zone Trampoline ParkState Farm InsuranceStrand AssociatesSweet Swirls BakeryTastefully SimpleTerry MorrisThree Rivers Association of RealtorsTin RoofTrinity FoundationVicki BaileyVictor FrattiVillage of BolingbrookVillage of RockdaleWalmartWalter & Linda PoteWendy PerrymanWermer, Rogers, Doran & RuzonWest Suburban Honda of JolietZanies Comedy Club

WCCCC Programs and Services

WCCCC Programs and Services

Community Services Block Grant Programs

he Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) provides core funding to local agencies such as WCCCC to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and to

empower low-income families to become self-sufficient. WCCCC’s CSBG funding provides programs and services designed specifically to meet the needs of the Will County community. Certified Family and Community Development Specialists provide intensive case management to promote self-sufficiency in the family through planning and SMART goal setting.

The following CSBG programs are available to WCCCC customers:

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Back to School: Provides school supplies for children in need. In 2017, WCCCC partnered with MorningStar Mission’s “Jump on the Bus Program.” WCCCC contributed $9,000 to help 60 children have the supplies they needed to increase their success in school.

Certified Renters/Fair Housing: Provides education to low-income renters on fair housing rights, budgeting, money management, tenant responsibilities, etc. In 2017, WCCCC helped 34 individuals learn their rights and responsibilities as tenants and learn to budget properly for their rent.

Dental Assistance for Veterans: Veterans may receive assistance up to $500 for dental care that will help prevent future health issues. In 2017, WCCCC helped 3 veterans improve their dental health.

Economic Development/Work Readiness: WCCCC staff work with customers to recruit and enroll them into work-readiness programs, employment counseling and career coaching, and permanent employment placement. Throughout 2017, WCCCC helped 27 individuals become ready to work in an effort to help them become more self-sufficient.

Employment Support: Assistance obtaining or maintaining employment by helping with childcare costs, transportation expenses, and work supplies. During the year, WCCCC helped 6 individuals keep their job by helping with childcare costs and/or transportation expenses.

Financial Literacy: Customers may participate in an educational program to improve their knowledge about budgeting, money management, insurance needs, identity theft, credit repair, etc. In 2017, 37 individuals participated in this program.

Homeless Services and Homeless Prevention: If an individual or family is on the streets or residing in an emergency shelter, transitional housing program, permanent supportive housing program, or rapid rehousing program, they may be eligible for assistance. The goal of WCCCC’s program is to fill the “gaps” to help individuals and families overcome barriers to exiting homelessness. In 2017, WCCCC helped 510 individuals and their families who were experiencing homelessness.

Homeless Case Management: Services may include assistance with identification, employment, education, health, and other related expenses for which resources are otherwise unavailable in the community.

Mortgage Assistance: Customers with mortgage delinquencies can be assisted with mortgage payments, mortgage modifications, and/or property taxes. In 2017, WCCCC helped 3 individuals/families pay their mortgage or property tax to ensure they would not lose their homes.

Nutrition Programs: Funds are available for meals for seniors, holiday food boxes for families with children, and food boxes for other income-eligible customers. In 2017, WCCCC provided food for 317 individuals in need.

Prescription Drug Assistance: Customers may be eligible to receive vouchers for prescription medications. In 2017, WCCCC helped 2 people get their necessary medications.

Case Management and Rent Assistance: Provided strength-based case management to individuals and families in need. In 2017, WCCCC helped 56 individuals and families.

Scholarship Program: WCCCC is able to offer scholarships up to $1,000 toward tuition, books, and supplies. WCCCC helped 7 people further their education in 2017.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): WCCCC has specially trained staff in order to offer free tax preparation and e-file services for households with income of less than $54,000 per year. For the 2017 tax season, WCCCC helped 238 individuals/families prepare and submit their taxes accurately and on time.

Water Assistance: Assistance with overdue water bills. In 2017, WCCCC helped 34 individuals pay their water bill.

Information & Referral: WCCCC offers information and referrals for customers to other agencies and services within our community. Throughout 2017, WCCCC provided information and referrals for assistance to over 3,240 Will County residents.

“We must open the doors of opportunity. But we must also equip our people to walk through those doors.”

– President Lyndon B. Johnson

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Back to School: Provides school supplies for children in need. In 2017, WCCCC partnered with MorningStar Mission’s “Jump on the Bus Program.” WCCCC contributed $9,000 to help 60 children have the supplies they needed to increase their success in school.

Certified Renters/Fair Housing: Provides education to low-income renters on fair housing rights, budgeting, money management, tenant responsibilities, etc. In 2017, WCCCC helped 34 individuals learn their rights and responsibilities as tenants and learn to budget properly for their rent.

Dental Assistance for Veterans: Veterans may receive assistance up to $500 for dental care that will help prevent future health issues. In 2017, WCCCC helped 3 veterans improve their dental health.

Economic Development/Work Readiness: WCCCC staff work with customers to recruit and enroll them into work-readiness programs, employment counseling and career coaching, and permanent employment placement. Throughout 2017, WCCCC helped 27 individuals become ready to work in an effort to help them become more self-sufficient.

Employment Support: Assistance obtaining or maintaining employment by helping with childcare costs, transportation expenses, and work supplies. During the year, WCCCC helped 6 individuals keep their job by helping with childcare costs and/or transportation expenses.

Financial Literacy: Customers may participate in an educational program to improve their knowledge about budgeting, money management, insurance needs, identity theft, credit repair, etc. In 2017, 37 individuals participated in this program.

Homeless Services and Homeless Prevention: If an individual or family is on the streets or residing in an emergency shelter, transitional housing program, permanent supportive housing program, or rapid rehousing program, they may be eligible for assistance. The goal of WCCCC’s program is to fill the “gaps” to help individuals and families overcome barriers to exiting homelessness. In 2017, WCCCC helped 510 individuals and their families who were experiencing homelessness.

Homeless Case Management: Services may include assistance with identification, employment, education, health, and other related expenses for which resources are otherwise unavailable in the community.

Mortgage Assistance: Customers with mortgage delinquencies can be assisted with mortgage payments, mortgage modifications, and/or property taxes. In 2017, WCCCC helped 3 individuals/families pay their mortgage or property tax to ensure they would not lose their homes.

Nutrition Programs: Funds are available for meals for seniors, holiday food boxes for families with children, and food boxes for other income-eligible customers. In 2017, WCCCC provided food for 317 individuals in need.

Prescription Drug Assistance: Customers may be eligible to receive vouchers for prescription medications. In 2017, WCCCC helped 2 people get their necessary medications.

Case Management and Rent Assistance: Provided strength-based case management to individuals and families in need. In 2017, WCCCC helped 56 individuals and families.

Scholarship Program: WCCCC is able to offer scholarships up to $1,000 toward tuition, books, and supplies. WCCCC helped 7 people further their education in 2017.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): WCCCC has specially trained staff in order to offer free tax preparation and e-file services for households with income of less than $54,000 per year. For the 2017 tax season, WCCCC helped 238 individuals/families prepare and submit their taxes accurately and on time.

Water Assistance: Assistance with overdue water bills. In 2017, WCCCC helped 34 individuals pay their water bill.

Information & Referral: WCCCC offers information and referrals for customers to other agencies and services within our community. Throughout 2017, WCCCC provided information and referrals for assistance to over 3,240 Will County residents.

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nergy costs can greatly stress the household budget and force families to decide between what bills to pay and what to do without. The Low-Income Housing Energy

Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to help low-income households pay their energy bills. Assistance is provided as a one-time direct payment to the utility provider. Reconnection assistance and furnace replacement is also available to households in need.

In 2017, 5,071 households received utility assistance through the LIHEAP and PIPP programs totaling $2,543,604.11.

WCCCC also replaced the furnaces for 20 low-income households and the boiler for one low-income household, ensuring these families had heat in the winter while lowering their utility bills and eliminating fire and carbon monoxide hazards. WCCCC also cleaned and tuned 3 furnace units which improved the operation and efficiency of these units.

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“The pessimists and the skeptics say ‘it can't be done.’ You can't win the war against poverty. But we can do it today because we have the wealth to do it. We have the knowledge of economics; we have the fiscal and monetary tools and techniques to do it. We have the means of communication, and the mobility of population to do it. And finally—for the first time in our history—we have the will to do it.”

– Sergeant Robert S. Shriver, Jr.

LIHEAP and UtilityAssistance ProgramsLIHEAP and Utility

Assistance Programs

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ComEd Special Hardship Programhe ComEd Special Hardship Program helps income eligible families with certain special hardships. Special hardships include medical bills, military service, disability, senior

hardships, family crisis, property damage, loss of employment or income, or being the victim of a crime.

In 2017, 617 households were assisted through this program. A total of $380,999.73 in financial assistance was provided.

Emergency Food and Shelter Programhe Emergency Food and Shelter Program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and distributed through local United Way offices. The

program assists with feeding, sheltering, and providing critical resources to qualified households.

In 2017, assistance totaling $30,026.81 was provided to 291 households.

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he Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) is designed to help income-eligible Will County residents increase the energy efficiency of their homes,

reducing their heating and cooling bills and increasing the comfort of their homes.

Through IHWAP, participants receive heating system inspections (including repair or replacement of the furnace, if necessary), caulking, insulation of exterior walls and attic areas, weather stripping, and other energy conservation measures, such as replacement of old refrigerators with new energy efficient models. The Weatherization program is available to both homeowners and renters.

As much as half of the energy used in a home goes to heating and cooling. Air leakage transfers heat into and out of a home and is one of the greatest causes of energy waste in a home, accounting for an estimated 25% to 40% of the energy used for heating and cooling in a typical house. Improving the energy efficiency of a residence can reduce the energy demand and may drastically decrease utility bills.

In 2017, WCCCC assisted 75 households through this program at a total cost of $770,192.49. It helped income-eligible households keep their homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer and reduced their utility bills by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes.

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WeatherizationWeatherization

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CCCC’s Home Repair Program provides necessary home repairs at no cost to income-eligible homeowners. An estimated 95% of low-income homeowners are

unable to adequately repair and maintain their homes.

Simple home repairs are unaffordable, yet repairs left undone can lead to unsafe living environments, code violations, and evictions. WCCCC’s Home Repair Program addresses this need and helps residents turn around their substandard housing conditions, comply with building codes, and remain in their homes, thus avoiding homelessness.

This program is entirely funded through generous donations provided by grant funds, foundations, businesses, civic groups, and individuals.

Typical repairs include window replacements, furnace or water heater repairs or replacements, roof repair, gutter repair, replacement of gas shut off valves and gas pipes, and more.

In 2017, 19 homes were repaired at a total cost of $287,460.69, and over 150 homes have been repaired since the program was created in 2002, ensuring low-income homeowners and their families are able to remain in their homes, avoid homelessness, and live in a home that is safe and functional.

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Home RepairHome Repair

Holiday Food Basketsach December, WCCCC’s Holiday Food Basket Program assists low-income families in Will County with children under the age of 17.

WCCCC hosts participating families for an evening of holiday celebration where staff and volunteers greet guests, offer refreshments provided by local businesses, and provide each family with a generously filled food box that includes a frozen turkey, pantry staples, and all the fixings for a holiday meal. Each child also receives a visit with Santa Claus and an age-appropriate toy, a new winter coat, and hats and gloves.

In 2017, this program provided a holiday meal to 125 families as well as toys and winter attire for over 300 children.

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Holiday Food BasketsHoliday Food Baskets

Homeless Services

Holiday Food BasketsCCCC’s Homeless Services Program is designed to fill gaps in services for Will County’s homeless population. Our program offers case management, bus passes,

clothing, prescription assistance, gas cards, food vouchers, employment training, and assistance with fees related to education, obtaining birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and ID cards. Last year, WCCCC served 698 individuals at a total cost of $31,245 through this program.

WCCCC also assists households at imminent risk of becoming homeless by providing rental assistance, security deposits, and relocation/stabilization services for attaining permanent housing through our Emergency Solutions Grant Program.

In 2017, WCCCC provided 1,853 services to individuals and their families to avoid homelessness by providing $272.441.00 in assistance.

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CCCC administers the ongoing operation of the Will County Continuum of Care, a network of non-profit agencies, homeless service providers, community

representatives, businesses, and elected officials collectively responsible for prioritizing, providing, and preventing gaps in the gamut of services needed to help the area’s homeless.

The Continuum of Care is concerned with the broad issues surrounding homelessness in Will County, including education/support services, grants/funding, housing/plan to end homelessness, etc.

The Continuum’s vision is to create a seamless, comprehensive system of services that prevents homelessness, supports the emergency and ongoing needs of the homeless, provides the tools necessary to sustain independent living, and leads to permanent self-sufficiency.

WCCCC also administers the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database. The HMIS database allows participating agencies to track the services provided to homeless individuals and families to ensure that they are accessing services as appropriate.

WCCCC, as the administering agency for the Continuum, is responsible for the HUD-mandated annual Point In Time count. On a select date, data on sheltered and unsheltered individuals and households is collected and submitted to HUD. Data is collected from shelters, police departments, municipalities, and social service agencies. In 2017, the Will County Continuum of Care identified a total of 282 persons (251 sheltered/31 unsheltered) within Will County who were homeless on January 25, 2017.

WCCCC, on behalf of Continuum member agencies, submits applications to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for funding to provide housing and services to our homeless population in Will County.

Last year the Will County Continuum of Care received $3.8 million in funding from HUD to provide emergency shelter, permanent housing, and other services to this population.

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"You must do the thing you think you cannot do."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

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Will County Continuum of Care

Will County Continuum of Care

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CCCC has been a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency since 1993. WCCCC’s housing counselors meet with individuals and families to determine the

best course of action and means of assistance for their circumstances. Households who are considering the purchase of a home have the option of participating in a class offered in a group setting.

The Housing Counseling Program provides counseling and education to homeowners and prospective homeowners on topics such as budgeting, property maintenance, insurance, landlord/tenant relations, mortgage default and delinquency, and other family and life skills.

In 2017, a total of 165 households received the following no-cost services:

Loss Mitigation CounselingPre-Purchase CounselingHome Equity Conversion Mortgage (Reverse Mortgage) CounselingHomebuyers Education ClassFair Housing WorkshopHardest Hit Fund

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n 2014, WCCCC was awarded a $3 million grant through the National Foreclosure Settlement Award to mitigate the effects that the foreclosure crisis has had on Will County.

Through this program, WCCCC (the team lead in a partnership with Will County and the City of Joliet) acquires and demolishes or rehabilitates and resells foreclosed and vacant housing units in targeted areas of Will County. In addition to rehabbing and reselling homes, funds are used to identify and demolish blighted residential properties within the Joliet city limits.

In order to be eligible, potential buyers of properties through this program must be at or below 80% of the area median income as defined by HUD. To date, 29 homes have been purchased, rehabbed, and resold through this grant, including fourteen homes in 2017.

WCCCC staff assesses each property prior to its rehabilitation and completes a final inspection of the work before turning the home over to its new owner. This grant also allows WCCCC to provide pre-purchase counseling to the new homeowners, as well as foreclosure prevention counseling and education.

The grant also has provisions for non-homebuyer activities such as emergency housing assistance, including first and last month’s rent, security deposits, and utility assistance. The Foreclosure Settlement Program helps stabilize housing and has a positive impact on many households within our community.

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Illinois Attorney General’sForeclosure Settlement Program

Housing CounselingHousing Counseling

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he “Healthy Homes/Healthy Families Expo” was held in May of 2017 with many families attending the event. This annual event, held at the Will County Center for

Community Concerns, provides Will County households with information on services and products that will help keep their families and homes safe and healthy.

WCCCC’s Housing Counselors were on hand at the event to answer general questions relating to housing or evictions, and Homeless Services staff offered information on affordable housing options and homeless prevention programs.

General information on each of the programs and services offered by WCCCC was also available to all in attendance. In addition, representatives of BMO Harris Bank, First Midwest Bank, and Joliet Bank and Trust were available to speak to homeowners about foreclosure prevention strategies, the foreclosure mediation process, and answer other questions from current or potential homeowners.

Furthermore, the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Mobile Food Pantry was on site to help augment the food budget of families who qualified for assistance.

he Families In Transition event was sponsored by both WCCCC and the Will County Regional Office of Education in both April and August. This event benefits families

with school-aged children who are at risk of homelessness or at risk of losing stable housing. Services provided by local organizations at this event include health screenings, vision screenings, dental cleanings, and haircuts. Local social service agencies are invited to attend and help families find the help they need to stabilize their households. Families also have the opportunity to shop for gently used books and clothing and are provided with hygiene kits full of personal care items.

WCCCC sponsors the attendance of the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Mobile Food Pantry at this event so that families can receive fresh meats and vegetables, staples, and fresh baked goods.

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Healthy Homes, Healthy Families

Families in Transition

2017 Outreach andExpo Events

2017 Outreach andExpo Events

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2017 Outreach/Expo Events2017 Outreach/Expo Events

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The Promise of Community Action: Community Action changes people’s lives,

embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live.

We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people

help themselves and each other.

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Let the Numbers Tell the StoryLet the Numbers Tell the Story

Servicesprovided2017 Program Cost

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2017 Financial Summary2017 Financial Summary

Unrestricted Revenues

Expenses

Federal Grant Revenue

State Grant Revenue

Other Grant Revenue

Interest and Dividend Income

Donations

NFS Program Income

Other Income

Total Unrestricted Revenues

$ 5,432,077

$ 1,222,944

$ 706,704

$ 856

$ 141,753

$ 216,349

$ 26,642

$ 7,747,325

Program Services

Management and General

Total Expenses

Increase in Unrestricted Net Assets

Net Assets: Beginning of Year

Net Assets: End of Year

$ 6,927,276

$ 534,947

$ 7,462,223

$ 266,359

$ 996,758

$ 1,263,117

"I believe that if you show people the problems and

you show them the solutions, they will be

moved to act."

— Bill Gates

The Face of

2017

WCCCCAnnual Report

The mission of Will County Center for Community

Concerns is to assist and enable low and moderate

income individuals to obtain the opportunities needed to

prepare themselves for self-sufficiency.

Will County Center for Community Concerns is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization as

determined by the IRS. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

2455 Glenwood Avenue • Joliet, Illinois 60435 • 815-722-0722 • www.wcccc.net

Office Hours:Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm • Wednesday: 8:00am – 7:30pm

Providing Hope through Self-Sufficiency

Providing Hope through Self-Sufficiency