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LA GRANGE PARK – Michelle Rafacz doesn't know where she and her 7-year-old daughter would be if it weren't for Pillars. The organization helped the Downers Grove resident grieve the death of her husband, and Pillars' children's bereavement group "Buddy's Place" helped her daughter realize she wasn't the only child who had lost a parent.
Rafacz plans to give Pillars a shout-out on her Facebook page on June 8, which is the day the organization is virtually celebrating its 10th anniversary of the merger that created what is now Pillars.
Clients, former clients or anyone in the community who has been affected by Pillars and its services are invited to use the hashtag “ShoutOut” and tag Pillars on their Facebook, Twitter or other social media pages and post how Pillars has made an impact on their lives. Pillars also will release videos and messages from its staff on its social media sites throughout the day.
Pillars, which serves about 12,000 people a year, is the largest nonprofit provider of mental health and social services to the western and southwestern suburbs of Chicago. Ann Schreiner, president and CEO of Pillars, said this is a way to demonstrate the positive effect Pillars has on the community, as well as bring awareness to people who might not know about the organization.
“It’s a great idea to showcase our impact as people are connecting through their social networks about why Pillars matters. We’re thanking them for their support,” she said.
Jackie Gibson, director of marketing and communications at Pillars, came up with the idea after seeing an initiative undertaken by several universities, in which alumni are asked to wear a university shirt on a certain day or change their profile picture to the university logo. She thought social media would be a good way to spread awareness about Pillars.
“We’re asking people to do something quick and easy, and if they support Pillars and the work we do, just give us a shout-out,” she said. “Our goal is to make people aware that help is available.”
Rafacz’s husband, Keith, died after a battle with cancer in 2012 when their daughter was 3 years old. Rafacz said they began attending Buddy’s Place when Addy began kindergarten almost two years ago. The group offers eight-week sessions that help children grieve the loss of a close family member. In addition to that program, the group holds monthly meetings that Rafacz and her daughter still attend.
“She thought we weren’t a real family because it’s just the two of us. She’s the only one in our area who’s lost a parent,” Rafacz said. “But just knowing kids who’ve gone through what she’s gone through makes all the difference. It’s her place. She now has friends who have families like hers.”
Schreiner explained that Pillars provides important services to people at a time when they need it the most. She thinks it’s important that people have a local place they can turn to for help.
“When mental illness or addictions are left untreated, it leads to all kinds of challenges – on the job, in school and in personal relationships,” she said. “People can end up in unnecessary psychiatric hospitalizations or in jail due to behavior related to addiction or mental illness. Early intervention and prevention are the best ways to help folks return to engaged and productive lives.”
Rafacz said she’d recommend Pillars and Buddy’s Place to anyone who’s in a similar situation and believes it is “critical” for grieving families to use their services.
“It’s opened up her world,” Rafacz said of her daughter. “Parents don’t always know the right things to say or do because they’re also grieving. But without Buddy’s Place, Addy would be struggling more. They’ve been so amazing and so good to us.”
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Know more
For information about Pillars, visit pillarscommunity.org. On June 8, use #ShoutOut on social media and tag Pillars with your story or message about how Pillars has made a difference in your life or a loved one’s life.
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Communities served
Pillars serves a variety of communities in the Chicago area, including Berwyn, Broadview, Brookfield, Burr Ridge, Cicero, Clarendon Hills, Countryside, Darien, Hinsdale, Hodgkins, Indian Head Park, La Grange, La Grange Park, Lyons, McCook, North Riverside, Oak Brook, Riverside, Stickney, Westchester, Western Springs, Westmont, Willow Springs and Willowbrook. Some programs do not have geographic restrictions.