Obstacles Delay Reopening Of Tinley Park's Together We Cope After Fire

TINLEY PARK, IL — The reopening of a critical social services agency's facility in Tinley Park after a fire caused extensive damage in November has been delayed, with a new target date set for April. The agency has been dealt $100,000 in losses not covered by insurance, a representative said.

Together We Cope's main building at 17010 So. Oak Park Avenue in Tinley Park remains closed while repairs continue after the fire shut down its client services office, food pantry and Nu2u resale shop.

"Nevertheless, we have been able to continue assisting families in need in a variety of ways because of the generosity of our donors," wrote Marge Seltzner, director of communications for the agency, in an update.

The delays are related to problems workers have encountered, most likely due to the building's age.

"It's an old building, so it's not surprising to find things that need to be fixed, some of which won't be covered by insurance," Seltzner told Patch.

The nonprofit is working from its administration building temporarily, to meet the needs of clients beyond food and clothing issues. With over 200 volunteers, community donations of food, clothing and household goods, and groceries purchased from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the agency typically serves more than 1,500 families each month. Their services reach 27 communities, including Alsip, Blue Island, Bridgeview, Chicago Ridge, Country Club Hills, Crestwood, Evergreen Park, Garden Homes, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Hickory Hills, Hometown, Homewood, Markham, Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Posen, Robbins, Tinley Park and Worth.

"Our greatest need at this point is money,” said Executive Director Kathryn Straniero. “Our friends and neighbors have been amazingly generous to us during this time with large and small monetary donations, as well as grocery store gift cards for our clients. They also provided toys and pajamas to hundreds of area children in our annual Santa’s Workshop Christmas program.”

Without their main space, the agency is unable to accept most of what its usual items: no food, clothing, or furniture donations can be accepted at the main building while repairs are being made. The agency can accept personal care items for families in need. Donations of diiapers and baby food, specifically, are welcome. Donors can call 708-633-5040 to arrange for delivery of such items to their administration building.

The setbacks are frustrating for the agency, but they continue to work to provide whatever support they can for families and individuals in need.

"However, funding continues to be a problem for the agency as we move forward," Seltzner wrote in an update. "We have at least $100,000 in losses not covered by insurance, such as older office furnishings and some older office equipment. Additionally, we’ve lost the daily income from our resale shop, money that is vital to our client programs. Insurance coverage for that loss is limited."

Anyone needing food assistance while Together We Cope's food pantry is unavailable can go to the Greater Chicago Food Depository website www.chicagosfoodbank.org and click on the “Find Food” button to find a food pantry near them.

"We also ask our donors to keep their like-new or gently-used clothing and housewares for an eventual resale shop opening,” Straniero said, “because that will be a big boost to us when it’s time to open our shop again.”

Together We Cope is accepting monetary donations via its website.