Kan-Win's mission is to help women and families achieve freedom from violence. This organization has five goals: to provide direct services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, to inform and empower women to end violence, to educate the community to prevent violence, to advocate on behalf of minorities and ethnic communities for violence protection, and to facilitate leadership in Korean women to end domestic violence. Through a 24-hour hotline, job placement service, and children's support group, this organization is working hands-on to improve the lives of families affected by domestic violence.
The Orland Township Youth and Family Services department provides counseling and programs that focus on healthy living and alternate behaviors. Staffed by a combination of licensed counselors, and students in the final phase of their certification process, the department is composed of three key sections:
- Clinical
- Community outreach
- Youth commission
People at least 18 years old can contact the department if interested in the services, and parents can call for minors below that age. An array of activities are offered through community outreach and the youth commission, including cosmic bowl, ski trips, sports clinics and various fundraisers.
The youth commission meets on the second Wednesday of the month at the Orland Township Activity Center from 7 pm - 8 pm.
The Village of Niles operates Niles Family Services to provide mental health counseling and therapy to residents. Fees are determined on a sliding scale. No Niles resident is denied services because of an inability to pay.
Many of the clients are children or families referred by local school districts or the police department. Seth Knobel, the director, says the police department credits Niles Family Services with helping a number of families resolve problems and staving off potential trouble, whether that be domestic disputes, young people acting out or other unhealthy behaviors.
Niles Family Services shares the same building as the Niles Fitness Center in Civic Center Plaza, on the southeast corner of Waukegan Road and Oakton Street. To find the entrance to Niles Family Services (as well as the Niles Senior Center), drive around the back of the building. There is a driveway with a gate, and the gate lifts automatically when its sensor detects a vehicle.
Niles Family Services also provides an emergency food pantry.
Residents come here to work out marital issues, parenting issues, family disputes, job loss, aging issues, bereavement and more.
Thanks to the efforts of more than 150 volunteers and donations, the Gorton Community Center of Lake Forest remains an important gathering place in the community. Located in the former Edward F. Gorton School building and originally built in 1901, the Gorton Center was completely renovated in 2000 thanks to a grassroots effort in the community. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Originally named Central School, the building was renamed in 1912 for Lake Forest mayor Edward F. Gorton. In 1971, School District 67 closed the Gorton School, and a year later the community center opened.
Gorton offers an array of programs fo children, teens and adults, and holds special events in its performing arts center. The children's drop-in center is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2010, and operates Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm.