|
Departments > Community Services
In 2008 the Village of Oak Lawn reorganized the Family Service Agency and the Senior Center into a new department: The Community Service Department. This new department will have as its mission to enrich the lives of Oak Lawn residents of all ages from young children to senior citizens by providing the highest quality of programs and services.
Keeping involved with the community is an important aspect of this department. We provide other village departments with professional consultation in the areas of stress, human behavior, and alcohol or substance abuse. We are part of the Village's Emergency Management Team that deals with emergency conditions due to natural or man-made disasters. Our role is to provide for such human needs as shelter, and to act as liaison with other offices on a local, state and national level that provide human relief. We also provide community outreach services to families that might be identified by the police or fire department as needing help during a temporary crisis. Our department maintains an up to date list of local social service resources. We strive to provide the most accurate information to connect residents with the appropriate community resources and services.
The Family Service Agency was established in 1966 to serve individuals, couples, and families who are experiencing personal problems. Those problems may include parent-child relations, marital conflict, illness, matters pertaining to divorce, grieving after a loss and depression. The Village established this department to furnish professional human services on a timely basis that is affordable to all residents. Therapists who hold Masters Degrees in such professions as Psychiatric Nursing, Clinical Social Work, and Counseling provide direct face-to-face counseling. We have an Employee Assistance Program that offers assessment, referral and crisis intervention to Village employees. The members of the Human Services Health Board have provided a liaison to the Oak Lawn community for over forty years. Residents may make appointments Monday through Saturday during the daytime and weekday evenings.
The Senior Citizen’s Commission began in 1977. It promotes the general welfare of the “adult-over-fifty” population of Oak Lawn through programs and services. The Senior Center provides a safe, fun, educational and healthful environment with activities where all members are welcome and treated with dignity and respect. We also serve as a resource for older adults seeking information about aging and related services. We offer a variety of services: Low Impact Aerobics & Exercises, Blood Pressure Screenings, Emergency Medical I.D. bracelet, Assistance with the Senior Tax Free, Circuit breaker and Prescription Drug Program, Deferral of Real Estate Taxes, Income Tax Counseling, Oak Lawn Senior Bus and RTA bus passes. We believe that involved, productive seniors live longer, happier lives which allow them to continue to function as vital members of the community. The center is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 A.M. until 5:00 P. M.
|
|
|
|