This place rocks! If you have a child between the ages of 12-17, he or she might be eligible to…read morejoin this very special organization. It's a safe place where teens can study, learn new skills, or just hang with friends. They offer classes in topics such as cooking, sewing, archery, billiards, self-esteem, mechanics, technology just to name a few. They have a sound room connected to a stage where they can play live or work the sound room. Community service hours can be earned through Project Serve or Project Give (e.g.,working the thrift store, helping veterans, making dog beds). There are pool tables, ping pong, old school & newer video games, air hockey, and a study area. Additionally, certain Friday nights they have karaoke nights or DJing. The Bridge offers so much, you will need to visit their website to get a gist of their programs. In regards to safety, it's a little like Fort Knox which I love. Not just any adult can walk in, and you need to make an appointment to do a tour of the place not during the hours that the kids are present. This place is special and my son and his friends love it here.

0/10 - Bingo is rigged…read more We played probably over five rounds of bingo and I didn't win once Would not recommend bingo it's very hard

It was ny first time volunteering at this charity. They were very welcoming and explained their…read moremission and how they help other charitable organizations. The work was helping organize pots in the warehouse and it felt rewarding to contribute. I would definitely do it again

I just placed my first small order at GiveNKind for holiday cards to send to Board members of our…read morenon-profit organization, and I am happy with my order. I received 80 cards for $10 and cannot wait to write on them. Each card is packed in its own plastic sleeve and some are really cute and festive pop-up cards. They are really good quality paper too. I did have to pull several cards that seemed odd or inappropriate but otherwise it was a great deal. It's a little far from my service area to drive to their site in Buffalo Grove, but I look forward to more orders in the future. Note that they only ship on orders of $300 and up. It is not a place for personal use but if you work for or own a 501(c) 3 organization, check this place out for sure. The application process was easy. The staff is also super friendly, helpful and customer service focused. They are helping many non-profits, keeping volunteers active, and keeping items out of our landfills too.

It's time for a recent review for Covenant Home of Chicago. Here goes:…read more When my father decided it was time to sell his apartment building and move to a supportive living situation, Covenant Home came to the fore, as it is part of Chicago Methodist Senior Services. And as Steve Z. commented, searching for an assisted living facility is indeed an education in itself and totally new territory for me. The staff at Covenant helped us navigate the ins and outs of the application process, which as you can imagine, complicated. Financial records, doctors' assessments, TB test, all in the mix. To the building: It was built in 1997, so is relatively new, well-maintained, with a caring (yes, I said that, though I realize that is often just a buzzword in reviews of these types of enterprises.) staff. The meals are tasty and well-balanced. Residents sit 4 to a table with fresh flowers, nice silverware, and always water (so no dehydration, per the reviewer from 5 years ago). (They also have a water cooler w/lemons in the foyer). On Sundays they put white linen tableclothes on the dining tables, which, together with the flowers, makes for a very nice setting. In all, there are about 54 residents, with either studio apartments or 1 bedroom. The floors are all wood and nicely maintained, fresh paint upon move-in, the better to navigate with walkers, etc. The building has Comcast cable available. Residences are equipped with small refrigerator/freezer, a microwave, sink in a little "kitchen" area. Two closets, and ample cabinets in the bathroom. The five floors are built in a square around an atrium, which gives the place a nice airy feeling. All the rooms' windows are outward facing. The bathroom has a level floored shower for safety and there are pull chains all over the place for residents to pull if in distress. There are daily activities for residents, trips to Jewel and Walgreens if you are not mobile enough to go on your own. Filling the day: Evening movies, afternoon coffee in a very cute cafe, balance class, art class, current events, Bible study, word games, bingo, ballroom dancing, tai chi, Sunday worship (Methodist), a Tuesday Mass, manicures, watercolors, culture chats (not sure what that is). An RN is on site most of the time and he or she keeps good track of dispensing medications for all residents. And, if there is a health crisis, Swedish Covenant Hospital is right across the street! This is not a memory care type of place. For that, they have Wesley Place, further east on Foster. Residents have varying ranges of mobility. My father goes to his own medical appointments (right at the corner), takes taxis or walks to close by destinations such as Lincoln Square and the Tre Kroner Restaurant. So, all in all, he was fortunate to secure a studio here. And since I live in Oakland, CA, it's important to feel that he is safe and in good hands. Covenant Home provides that security and care.

My search for an assisted living facility was an education in itself- long story short I decided on…read morethe Covenant Home based on it being close to my own home, and on my gut feeling about the people I spoke with, the director and the assistant director of the facility. It's been a year and four months, and I am happy to say the result has been better than I expected. My mom moved into the Covenant Home in September of 2012. She was 90 at that time, and had been living at the North Shore Retirement Hotel in Evanston. During her 6 years at the North Shore she progressed from being fairly self-sufficient to needing help with some of her daily care, and she had more and more difficulty dealing with things in general, as her memory was getting worse. During her last year at North Shore she was hospitalized twice, she had poor appetite, was losing weight and she was depressed. She also had a couple physical conditions that required some daily attention. We had hired a helper for her and also contracted with the on site home nursing company at the North Shore, but their services were not enough. After she moved into the Covenant Home her appetite began to improve, and it's no longer an issue at all. The chronic problems she was having previously are under control, she is consistently in good spirits, and she has made friends there. Although she was not happy to make this move, she is now quite happy there, and says so. This is a much better outcome than I anticipated and I believe it is due the competency of the staff, the fact the quality of her care is consistent, and an intangible aspect: that the culture there is one of attentive kindness. The care she gets at the Covenant Home is a mix of residential and medical- they take care of making sure she gets her meds, cleaning of her studio apartment, dressing, dining, getting ready for bed, all that. Additionally, they they keep up with any ongoing medical care she needs, they make doctor appointments, and if necessary provide transportation. The are proactive in her care in terms of the medical, hygienic and social aspects. If you feel like hearing more about this I would be happy to correspond. You can send a private message to me through the Yelp system.

A place where they find people furniture when they need it most. In 2025 they had their first bed…read morerace and they created beds on wheels and encourage people in the community to dress them up and it was a lot of fun to see the races with people dressed up. What a nice way to raise money and get donations for a great cause. We came to donate and get the cute TS for $25 each and they had a raffle. They pick up unwanted furniture and donate to those who need it.

**Horrible Virtual Appointment Experience with Chicago Furniture Bank**…read more I had a virtual appointment today with Chicago Furniture Bank to select furniture. My agency paid $450 for the service. Although I appreciate any help being offered to families in need, my experience today was very disappointing. After the appointment, I told them to cancel the delivery. Now I feel really bad that my agency may still have to pay a $100 cancellation fee. In my opinion, that feels very unfair. I was told I was approved for a furniture package, meaning a living room set, dining room set, beds, dressers, rugs, lamps, and household items. But what I saw during the virtual appointment and what I was actually allowed to choose from did not feel like a real furniture package at all. The lady doing the virtual appointment came late, was going extremely fast, and had a very nasty attitude. I felt rushed the entire time. There were a few items I saw that I wanted to ask about, but I was afraid to ask because of her attitude. Even my social worker looked highly disappointed, although she did not say anything. Most of what I saw on the video was the worker's feet, the floor, and her walking fast through the building. She was moving so quickly that it was hard to really see the furniture or ask questions. The way she acted during the appointment was horrible, especially knowing agencies are also present during these virtual and in-person appointments with their clients. Why would workers behave that way in front of the very agencies who are paying you to help their clients? That makes no sense and is just plain unprofessional. Most of the furniture had stains, scratches, and looked worn out. The furniture I saw was mismatched, scratched, worn out, and some items looked very beat up. I understand the furniture and merchandise are donated, but people who need help should still be treated with respect. Just because the items are donated does not mean families should be treated rudely, rushed through the process, or given items that are too damaged to use comfortably. It also did not make sense to me that there were things I could see during the virtual appointment, but I was not allowed to choose them simply because I was doing the appointment virtually. I was told during the virtual appointment that I could only get household items if I came in person. I saw pots, pans, and other household products, but she walked right past them on the video. If families are doing virtual appointments, they should still be allowed to choose basic household items, especially when they have a large household. I have a large household with mostly teenagers who are taller and bigger than me, but I was only allowed to choose one full-size or queen-size bed. I was told I could only get one queen or full-size mattress and box spring, and the rest had to be twin beds. That does not make sense for older teenagers because kids nowadays are often taller and weigh more than their parents. Families should be allowed to explain what size beds they actually need. I also saw nice chairs and just a few better-looking items, but I was not allowed to choose the nicer ones. Some of the merchandise looked so damaged and worn that I turned some items down. Since I turned some items down, I feel I should have been allowed to choose something else to replace them. Instead, I ended up picking old dressers, a scratched table, no TV stand, and not the right mattress. Honestly, my agency paid $450 for this, and I feel like I could have done better on my own by searching Craigslist, OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, and local freebie groups. I have actually found like-new and even new living room sets, bedroom sets, and mattresses from sites like that before. A person could rent a truck for under $100 and pick up free furniture that is in way better condition. A lot of times, you can get new or like-new furniture for free or very cheap. The only problem is needing someone to pick it up and help move it. I would tell people to think carefully before using this service, especially if they are doing a virtual appointment. Compare your options first. There are free items online that may be in much better condition, and you may have more control over what you choose. The YouTube videos are misleading compared to what I experienced. Now I see why DCFS never wanted to refer me and my family here. They would rather pay thousands of dollars getting families new items than send them to a place where people are rushed, disrespected, and offered furniture that looks this worn out. All I can say is, if Chicago Furniture Bank does not change how they treat people and improve what they offer during virtual appointments, anyone who receives products from them may be very disappointed. I would discourage any agency from paying these high fees for their clients to receive terrible-looking furniture while being disrespected, mistreated, and rushed during a video appointment.

Top knotch, excellent rescue. Sarah Cole is a cat rescue veteran, smart as a whip, and knows every…read moresingle cat in her rescue like the back of her hand and their needs. I can't rave more about what a professional Sarah is. As a bonus, people can text Sarah anything and she responds within minutes. She is one of the most professional people I've ever dealt with. She literally works 24/7, non-stop, with this rescue and it's her passion for saving cats lives and finding them homes that drives her, not money. All 4 the Love of Cats is a first-rate model rescue in that you are going through an actual process to ascertain that the cat(s) is a right fit to become your forever family member. You will be given lots of questions because they want to guarantee you're going to be the right fit for the cat so the cat doesn't end up getting returned as unfortunately, this is an issue that all rescues are dealing with. I'm so proud to support a local rescue like All 4 the Love of Cats where they have high standards, are always on call, and have built years worth of great relationships with veterinarians in the community. Help Cats & Come Play with Them! Want to play with cats, volunteer to help socialize and clean them, or are thinking about adoption? Come visit All 4 the Love of Cats in one of their 4 locations! It is like a Cat Disney World. All 4 the Love of Cats is a non-profit, no-kill 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization rescue which relies on tax-deductible donations and places stray and abandoned cats and kittens and are rescued from animal control. Operated from 4 locations: The Niles Petsmart, Skokie Petco, Palatine Petco, and Arlington Heights Petco which grants them space for the cats. Volunteer? Volunteers are needed to help clean cages while socializing with the cats. Also, fosters are needed & essential to the functioning of a no-kill rescue. It is a wonderful, fun way to come and visit all of the cats and play with them! Call or text for an appointment to interact with the cats at 847-302-6410. http://www.all4theloveofcats.com/

I'm trying to get in the process of adopting a sweet female cat at my local PetSmart in order for…read moreher to be a companion for my other baby Dolores. I understand the process of finding the perfect home is crucial for adoption but what's not right is how "SARAH" went about it while contacting me via text message. She clearly has no people skills and was very passive aggressive with me. I do not like how it was handled. I'd really appreciate it if you guys could have a word with her regarding speaking to applicants. I've posted the screenshots so further prove my point. This is unacceptable I should not be talked down on like this. I've been a cat owner since I was 15. I'm 28 now. Why am I being talked to like I own a rabid cat? A4LC you guys really need to train your volunteers to be a little more considerate when speaking to the public.

Nice selection of China, crystal and glassware (many complete sets at very reasonable prices)…read more The clothing is a step up from most thrift shops. Well curated store.

I'm so glad I found this place. It's a gem of a thrift store. The prices are a bit higher but the…read moreclothes are of higher quality. I bought a coat heavy fall for $25 and it is slightly old fashioned but beautiful. I have gotten three compliments about it from strangers. I also got a very pretty sweater there. Great service, too.

I've been a volunteer and donor for years with Shelter, Inc. They are an amazing organization…read morehelping children and families every year. I've really enjoyed volunteering with them making an impact on the local community and helping children in need.

It's scary to review Shelter Inc. When you have to be nice to them in hopes they will do the right…read morething but after 4 months I'm realizing they are going to do whatever they want to do regardless of anything I say or do. Don't get involved with their Foster Care Program, they are destroying families and the kids are the ones that suffer the trauma and long term effects. They claim to keep families together, what a joke. Do some research, other people are saying the same things I'm saying.

The community is so lucky to have an organization that provides supports for kids, adults and…read morefamilies with ASD. I am a social worker and have been referring clients for over 10 years! The staff are well trained, caring and enthusiastic for growth in each student! Highly recommend

My son's school referred my son to"Have Dreams" for evaluation to determine his eligibility for…read morespecial education services. It was done by Dr. Jeff Salt, and the experience was awful and disturbing. The place itself is decrepit, and somewhat creepy, with lots of long and dark halls. There is nobody to welcome you or assist you when you get there. Dr. Salt's office is messy and not child friendly. Dr. Salt's report was loaded with misstatements, fabrications, omissions, and negative exaggerations. He openly admitted that in his practice he had worked with hundreds of children and none have lost their diagnosis - even though the research data indicates that as many as 10 to 20 percent of children with ASD lose their diagnosis. Dr. Salt does not believe that is possible. He made me very uncomfortable, and he made my son cry during the evaluation. It was pretty clear to me why he, with his negative disposition, is not able to help children in his practice. It also speaks badly of the TEACCH method that Have Dreams employs. Also, Dr. Salt asked me and my husband to fill out a form asking for personal and sensitive information about ourselves (about medications we take, past miscarriages, divorces, degrees, etc.), which was not part of our son's evaluation. But he did not offer or ask us to sign any statement of privacy or confidentiality; instead, he laughed at us when we asked him for one, saying the information was just for his own use. As parents, we will recommend anyone thinking about going to Have Dreams or working with Dr. Salt to stay far away, and consider alternatives with better results than zero (or worse). Please, PLEASE, stay away.