5 minute read
A HELPING HAND
Chamber and nonprofits partner together to increase community awareness
By Kelley White | Photos provided by Fox Valley Hands of Hope, TriCity Family Services and Valley Industrial Association
Nonprofits are among the most dedicated advocates for the community. Working in tandem with St. Charles Area
Chamber of Commerce — which more than 30 nonprofits do — helps bolster local community outreach and productivity toward their missions.
Partnering with the Chamber has helped spotlight the amazing work of the Valley Industrial Association, TriCity Family Services and Fox Valley Hands of Hope. These three serve the community with compassion and a level of tenacity that makes the difference.
“Our mission is to really help our companies with their challenges,” says Kathy Gilmore, president of Valley Industrial Association. “Workforce-related challenges are really No. 1 right now, so anytime we can work together to help our companies solve those problems, we go for it, and the St. Charles Area Chamber has been a really great advocate in that space.” Aside from providing a common ground between industrial manufacturers and their supporting businesses in order to create ease of connectivity and communication, Valley Industrial Association has also recently developed Greater Chicago Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, or GCAMP. “Our new Workforce Development arm, GCAMP, is a nonprofit public charity that is now part of VIA and is the group that will spearhead the collaborations with our chamber partners.” At Fox Valley Hands of Hope, Jonathan Shively leads an organization providing free services for those experiencing death and loss in the community. “We do this through our direct services with individual
See the annual “Giving Back” publication at www.stcareachamber.com/ community/non-profit-organizations!
Interested in joining the Chamber’s NEW nonprofit committee? Email info@ stcareachamber.com!
clients and families,” says the executive director. “We also have a pretty major program through the schools, so we’re reaching out to the various school districts in the area to make them aware of our services and to get our groups going into our schools. We also do presentations about grief and loss.” The Chamber is an effective catalyst for positive exposure. “The chambers are networking places for us where we can meet others and share about our mission,” Shively says. “With them, we also have an opportunity to discover and initiate partnerships in the community, so whether that’s with other nonprofits or other types of businesses, it’s just a great place for us to meet and communicate.”
Laura Poss, executive director of TriCity Family Services, leads an organization that’s passionate about advocacy. “We’re a community mental health agency so we do need to get the word out about our services all across the Tri-City area,” says Poss. “We have nine townships we serve, so as far as outreach, we like to make sure we are very active in the community with various community partners.
Haven Interiors Studio
Fox Valleys source for quality home furnishings and design service.
Contact Haven Interiors Studio to Schedule your Interior Design Consultation. 630-402-0444 | info@haveninteriorsltd.com www.haveninteriorsltd.com | Historic Geneva, IL
We collaborate with the Chamber’s other nonprofit organizations. We are always in the community and going to community network meetings and always making sure people know about TriCity because we serve a lot of people in the community that don’t always have insurance or are a part of very lowincome families.”
St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce helps organizations like TriCity Family Services increase community understanding about their accessible care and facilities.
“Going to the events that the chamber sponsors is a really good way for us to get the word out about what we do, and it also allows us to network and find out about what other organizations are doing so we can exchange information,” Poss says. “The Chamber will put our flyers out for us when we have a special event, or when we want to promote things. … That connection with other chamber members really helps us with community involvement.” The importance of supporting local nonprofits is often understated. In reality, it’s about investing in the health of your home and the good of your neighbors. St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce will continue to collaborate with area nonprofit organizations while encouraging community outreach.
St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce hosts regular events for its nonprofit community. Stay up-to-date at www.stcharleschamber.com.
WORKING TOGETHER FOR YOU
At Collaborative Counseling and Psychiatry, we work with you to develop a holistic treatment plan addressing your mental health needs and supporting your personal treatment goals. Our staff works together as a cohesive team to provide you with the best possible care every step of the way. We offer therapy and medication management services through in-person and Telehealth appointments in each of our two convenient locations.
