OMNI and its team of 30 full-time counselors work with children and families year-round to make therapy accessible, meeting clients where they are at, from as young as 5 years old through adulthood.
But on Tuesday, staff members, clients and supporters had fun. They filled Hey Nonny in downtown Arlington Heights with more than 100 people for the organization’s second annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Bingo.
“Have fun, listen to music and most of all support OMNI,” said Doryce McCarthy, president of OMNI. “Every dollar raised helps kids and teenagers with mental health issues. It’s needed now more than ever as our kids are struggling with issues such as anxiety and depression. You’re helping them see hope.”
OMNI has been serving Northwest suburban Cook and southern Lake County for 52 years, but its team members say they have seen the need for counseling grow by as much as 30 to 40% over the last few years.
In order to meet the growing need, OMNI staffs counselors in 21 schools — including all Northwest Suburban High School District 214 schools — offering on-site mental health and substance abuse counseling.
That’s how one mother at the event found counseling for her son, at his school in Buffalo Grove. She shared her story of moving to the area after a difficult family situation and that her two children were struggling, she said.
“When I found out my son could get help right at school, and get it for free, I was overwhelmed,” this mother said. “The change in him as been incredible. He’s a straight A student, with amazing friends and most of all, he has his humor back.”
She described how her son still sees his counselor, two years later, and has formed a tight relationship with her. In thanking OMNI, she said: “You not only gave him mental and emotional support, you gave my son his future back.”
OMNI also provides services for adults at its offices in Buffalo Grove, Wheeling and Libertyville, including its free SMART Recovery program at its offices in Buffalo Grove. The program includes a support group while offering practical tools and real-life strategies to reduce or eliminate harmful behaviors.
At the fundraiser, guests learned about OMNI’s holiday gift drive. The organization partners with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to provide gifts for children dealing with issues such as child abuse, domestic violence, depression and poverty. Through the generosity of its supporters, OMNI expects to provide gifts to 850 children this year.
“By being here tonight, you are helping kids and families in our communities of Cook and Lake counties, find hope and healing to change their lives,” said Sandra Howell, board president. “The impact of OMNI’s work is real — and personal.”
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