Press Release

Published December 29, 2011 on TribLocal Park Ridge

As many Chicago-area families gather to spend the holidays together, homeless youth face a particularly difficult time with seemingly little to celebrate. The Harbour, a local organization providing shelter and essential services to homeless youth in the north and northwest suburbs, is working to change that with a little help from the A.M. Kiwanis Club of Park Ridge.

The group recently held its annual holiday party for youth in The Harbour’s programs, complete with a decorated tree, gifts, pizza and pop. At twenty girls, this year was record-breaking in terms of participation.

The unlikly relationship between the two organizations spans nearly thirty years and offers an aspect lacking in many girls' lives – the presence of a positive male role model. The majority of youth come to The Harbour as a result of severe family dysfunction, and a disproportionately large percentage have either witnessed or experienced domestic violence. With Kiwanis members attending the party and interacting with the girls, the celebration helps build trust and foster enduring bonds.

Ted Sigg, Charter President of the A.M. Kiwanis Club and member of The Harbour Board of Directors, says that his involvement with The Harbour has offered a heartening view on the human spirit.

This year, he discovered $200 worth of gift cards in his mailbox from an anonymous benefactor before the holiday party.

Another year, Sigg recalls noticing a snow-covered bike parked outside of the Shelter as he arrived for the party, and the moment he realized a young girl had ridden in blizzard-like conditions to be there.

“I was surprised to see that when given the choice, most girls would pick the wrapped gift over a gift card at the holiday party…maybe it’s the individual aspect of a wrapped gift, and I also think it comes with the excitement of opportunity that a lot of us take for granted”, Sigg says.

Through Sigg’s work with The Harbour, area residents are offered a way to ease clutter while benefitting youth through a tax-deductible donation. The Harbour is in need of “hard” furniture items such as dressers, chests, desks, tables and chairs, as well as bicycles, and pickup service is available within a reasonable distance.

In addition, all new monetary donations will be matched through a recent challenge grant. For more information, please visit www.theharbour.org, or call (847) 297-8540