The Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce kicked off the holiday season on Dec. 6 with the amazing Celebrate the Season event in downtown Genoa. It was great to see so many smiling faces brave the cold to come out to enjoy this free community event!
There’s nothing like hometown traditions like the Jingle Bell Parade, welcoming Santa to town and lighting our community tree to usher in holiday spirit and bring a sense of togetherness to the Genoa-Kingston community.
While the holidays bring about lots of exciting events, celebrations, shopping, and hustle and bustle, we know this season can also bring an undue amount of stress – whether mental, emotional or financial.
Our community is here for more than just the celebrations though. There are a vast number of groups and organizations that offer assistance in the holiday season and beyond. No matter your need, there is help available!
Kishwaukee United Way
Kishwaukee United Way and the 211 program can help put you in touch with the proper services, no matter what your need. Just dial 211 or text 898-211 and they will direct you to assistance for a wide variety of needs, including shelter, food pantries, health resources, employment, domestic abuse, elder care and transportation. 211 is available 24/7 and is strictly confidential.
Northwestern Medicine
Northwestern Medicine offers services in a variety of areas, including therapy, youth counseling, group and couples counseling, addiction treatment and support for substance abuse prevention. You can find information at www.nm.org. If you are in distress and need immediate assistance, the NM Behavioral Health hotline is available 24/7 at 866-242-0111.
Churches or faith-based groups
There are also many churches right here in the Genoa-Kingston area: CrossWind Community Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, Gospel Life Bible Church, The King’s Mansion Church and Genoa Faith United Methodist Church. For information or contacts visit www.genoaareachamber.com/list.
Family Service Agency
Family Services Agency is a great local entity, and serves as an “umbrella agency” of five distinct community programs: Children’s Advocacy Center, School-Based & Youth Programming, Center for Counseling, Senior Services and the Community Action Program. They organize the efforts of many local agencies to provide the best care possible to our community. For information, visit https://fsadekalbcounty.org/.
Voluntary Action Center
Voluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois is another resource that’s committed to providing high-quality services that address the basic transportation and nutrition needs of its community. Their programs include Meals on Wheels, Senior Lunch Program, Community Daycare and TransVAC. Visit www.vacdk.org for programs and contact information.
Safe Passage
Safe Passage is DeKalb County’s only domestic violence and sexual assault crisis center. They provide a wide range of services to survivors and their loved ones including shelter, counseling, advocacy and more. All survivor services are completely free, confidential and available to all, no matter your age, gender or when the abuse occurred. The Safe Passage 24-hour crisis line is available by telephone at 815-756-5228. Those in need also can text 815-393-1995 or visit www.safepassagedv.org for more information.
WOW! for widows, widowers
WOW! is an independent social activity and interaction group of senior widows and/or widowers. Their mission is to address the concerns and questions of widows and widowers. Members are understanding and empathetic, while offering friendship as well as a variety of group activities. WOW! meets regularly on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. For more information you may email wow@reagan.com or call Jim at 815-693-0674 or Flo at 815-751-7532.
Rooted for Good food pantry
Rooted for Good, formerly DeKalb County Community Gardens, is committed to ending hunger, empowering individuals and growing community. At Rooted for Good’s Genoa food pantry location neighbors can order groceries in advance and pick them up at the hub. Those in need also can stop by to shop the grocery-style food pantry in person. Hours are 9 to 11 a.m. the first and third Mondays; and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.
Rooted for Good’s Mobile Food Pantry is a refrigerated truck that brings free groceries to our neighbors throughout DeKalb County. There are no requirements to get food from the Mobile Food Pantry. You don’t need to provide any documents or proof of need. To get text alerts when the Mobile Food Pantry will be in your community, text FreeGroceries to 844-727-2012.
We are fortunate to live in a community with so many amazing resources and so much support. If you are in need of assistance this holiday season please do not hesitate to reach out and ask for help! The Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce would like to wish everyone in our community a happy, healthy holiday season and we look forward to all the exciting things 2025 holds!
- Emily Martinez is the marketing director for the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce.