Fact: One in 10 kids will suffer some form of mental illness before the age of 18.
The most severe cases in northern Illinois, including those abandoned by their families to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), often end up atAllendale Association in Lake Villa.
Allendale isn’t very well known, primarily because our culture still isn’t comfortable with public discussions about our most troubled youth. But we should all celebrate the important work it does: giving a safe home, hope, specialized education and a stable future to more than 1,200 kids in mental crisis and their families each year.
Allendale is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to excellence and innovation in the care, education, treatment and advocacy of troubled children, youth and their families. Founded in 1897 by Edward “Cap” Bradley, a young Princeton graduate interested in the plight of urban youth and the poor conditions under which they lived, Allendale serves children and adolescents with moderate to profound emotional and behavioral disabilities. Living up to its motto, “Never give up on a child,” Allendale has steadily grown under dedicated leadership committed to helping the area’s youth.
Where do Allendale’s clients come from?
Nearly half of all Allendale inhabitants are referred by Illinois DCFS, and about 40 percent are from Public School Districts and the Illinois State Board of Education (for children with emotional or behavioral issues beyond the public school system’s capability). These children, often victims of abuse, neglect or severe mental illness, come to Allendale with the devastating experiences of failure in the classroom, misunderstanding in the home and isolation in the community.
Allendale Association President Mary Shabazian explains, “Our work results in relationships repaired, in hope restored and in a new vision for a better life plan.” Highly-sophisticated residential, clinical, educational, vocational and recreational programs are provided within safe, aesthetically designed facilities.
Campus buildings include a beautiful chapel, a wood-paneled library, modern classrooms and spaces to learn life skills like gardening, machinery, pottery, sewing and embroidery. Nestled between a lake and woods, the campus itself serves as a visionary sanctuary to traumatized youth.
Be Inspired
Celebrities visit and find their time is meaningfully spent. In 2012, Chicago Bears Chairman George McCaskey brought used Bears equipment and participated in a cardboard boat race, while large corporations like Hewitt and Medline visit the Lake Villa campus for company-wide service days.
Allendale also accepts individual volunteers as part of its robust mentorship program, Big Pal; adults can offer their time in a specific area of interest as a tutor or mentor. Other service opportunities include being an education surrogate and working in the Allendale thrift store.
Donations from bar and bat mitzvahs and scout troops supplement the private donations upon which the association thrives.
More Help Needed
Caught between a growing demand for its services and shrinking state budget dollars, Allendale needs more private funding support. The association is committed to reaching its goal, to grow private donations from its current $724,000 to $1 million, by hosting special events throughout the year.
Allendale Association by the Numbers
- 1,260 children, youth and families helped annually
- 90+ kids in foster, transitional and independent living programs
- 185+ day-school students (specialized school and counseling services)
- 290+ in residence (specialized school and counseling services)
- 675+ through mentoring & outpatient services
For volunteer inquiries (21 and older), email Volunteer@Allendale4kids.org.
