The Neighborhood Bridge -
Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors
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Catholic Community of Oak Park Social Ministry Center on the Saint Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Campus
The Neighborhood Bridge is a social ministry outreach to residents across Austin Boulevard in Oak Park, IL, focusing initially on St. Catherine-St. Lucy School Families. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization registered as a not-for-profit in the state of Illinois with a Board of Directors. After a heartening year-end fundraising effort in 2023, the real work of The Neighborhood Bridge to fulfill the Archdiocesan Renew My Church initiative, “to use the St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy campus as a base for powerful ministry outreach to our neighbors on the West Side,” has started in 2024.
The Neighborhood Bridge serves individuals and families in our communities by connecting them to high-quality human services to help them thrive.
As Cardinal Blase Cupich called it, the Neighborhood Bridge is an example of one of the main tenets of Renew My Church – living our faith by helping those in need.
> The Neighborhood Bridge Website
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Help us Build a Bridge to Support the Austin Community - Summer 2025
Pantry Volunteers Needed!
The Neighborhood Bridge is launching a volunteer-staffed Essentials Pantry in the former rectory at St. Catherine-St. Lucy in mid-August.
Families from our 5 partner schools in Austin will be able to receive household necessities, such as cleaning supplies, toiletries, and baby products. Volunteers are needed to receive, stock, and deliver items to the schools.
We need volunteers to receive and stock ordered goods, to fulfill orders, and to deliver completed orders to the drop-off point at the partner schools. The workload will never be more than four hours per week. And all partner schools are located within a 2-mile radius of our offices on the campus of Saint Catherine of Siena-Saint Lucy (the corner of Washington and Austin Boulevards).
The commitment is fewer than 4 hours per week. To volunteer, contact Pantry Coordinator, Christine Wedekind, at [email protected].Become an Advocate!
We are also recruiting volunteers to serve as Advocates - Trained companions who walk alongside families as they navigate services and pursue their goals. This unique role provides meaningful one-on-one support and connection.
To learn more, we invite you to attend our Bridge Breakfast on September 6 or contact Jeanne Gallo at [email protected].You’re Invited: Bridge Breakfast on September 6
Join us at our next Bridge Breakfast on Saturday, September 6 at 8:30 AM in the Tutoring Center at Maguire Hall. There you’ll learn more about our programs and how you can get involved. Sign up by using the link below!
The Neighborhood Bridge, born out of the Renew My Church initiative, is dedicated to connecting Austin families with the services they need to thrive.
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Community of Volunteers Who Are Changing Lives
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The Neighborhood Bridge (TNB) has a variety of ways you can use your time and talent to help connect families on the West Side to high-quality human services in our community.
ADVOCATE – Advocates help a participant in our program break down the barriers to services to obtain the help the Participant needs and wants.
First-time Advocates:- Are asked to commit to spending 5-7 hours a month working with a Participant and to an initial 10-month term.
- Participate in a three-session training program and are equipped with the resources they need to support their Participant.
- Are supported by an Advocate Mentor in every meeting with the Participant.
- Receive support and professional development at quarterly community-building workshops.
WORKER BEE – Help with painting and light remodeling of the lower level of the former Saint Catherine – Saint Lucy rectory.
ESSENTIALS PANTRY VOLUNTEER – Help stock and fulfill orders from families.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERT – Help in areas such as marketing communications, fundraising, grant writing, financial management, and human resources management.
You can learn more about volunteer opportunities at TNB, including becoming an Advocate, by attending one of our Bridge Breakfasts, held the first Saturday of each month. Click below to register for a Bridge Breakfast.
For more information, contact Jeanne Gallo,TNB’s Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected].
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