Home

Welcome to the Palatine Opportunity Center

Cinco de Mayo 2013 - A Great Time Was Had By All!

Since 1999, the Palatine Opportunity Center (POC) welcomes and introduces families and individuals in need to the Palatine community. The POC connects people with local resources and provides a pathway for their integration and success. We are dedicated to helping people help themselves through a variety of programs and services. From at-risk youth programs to Zumba classes, the POC continues to empower ALL people.

At our main center, located at 1585 North Rand Road in Palatine, clients are offered a variety of services including:

basic health care via a Cook County medical clinic
library services by a branch of the Palatine Public Library
counseling and support services for families and individuals via a variety of agencies
Palatine Park District programs for physical improvement or for recreation
classes in English, citizenship, computer technology and other workplace skills via Harper Community College
tutoring services for adults in Harper classes
early childhood learning through EDEC and FIND PI programs
immigration paperwork assistance through HIAS Chicago
Health and Wellness referral resources through Northwest Community Hospital
mentoring programs for at risk teenagers and the services of social workers from the Palatine Police Department
social work services for seniors via Palatine Township Senior Services

At our satellite center, Edgebrook Center, volunteers and staff offer after school tutoring and summer programs for low income area children.

Programs also vary with the seasons and grant funding, giving clients a plethora of services and programs to chose from throughout the year. Click on the links to your left to find out more about specific services or stay informed by reading our newsletter. You can read our newsletter, POC News, here or ask to be added to our email list by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can download a printable copy of our pamphlet here.

Up to Date With POC

March 2013

Spring is in the air!

Despite old winter wanting to linger around, spring is just around the corner. And, this means the start of the gardening season at Roots Community Garden. Last year was our pilot year for this program and it was a huge success. Roots Community Garden is a collaborative community program of the Palatine Opportunity Center and works with the POC in fulfilling its goal of "empowering All people". It is run through a volunteer network of families receiving services at the POC. Its goal is to provide underserved families in our community with fresh healthy produce while creating a connected community and providing for health, wellness and educational opportunities. Due to the great work of our volunteers and grant writers, Roots has already received two grants to help with the garden costs: 1) Cook Fresh Grant through the County Farm Bureau and 2) Sow it Forward through the Kitchen Gardeners Program. In addition, Herman's Seeds has donated much needed seeds and a seed starter date is near by. To find out more about Roots Community Garden visit their blog or find them on their facebook page here. (photo courtesy of J. Lanier Photography).

January 3rd, 2012

Happy New Year! Here is a wonderful note from our Director, Kathy Millin:

Was it

…..the smile on the face of a child receiving toys for Christmas?

….the tears of joy on the cheeks of an overwhelmed mother ?

…..the relief in the eyes of a proud father now able to share holiday magic with his family?

Every year the spirit of Christmas will take away our breath and make us want to sing with joy. We can’t predict when this will happen, and it certainly can’t be forced. Something will touch us and we will experience the goodness of humanity and the love in the hearts of people.

The Palatine Opportunity Center staff , board, and social service agencies were able to share the joy and spirit of the holidays from December 1^st to December 24th with over 485 people this year due to the generosity and efforts of the following angels in our community:

Deer Grove Covenant Church-snow pants for all ages

Palatine Garden Club-coloring books and beanie babies for preschool children

Kushner Family from Palatine McDonalds-hats, scarves, mitten for all ages for Giving Tree

Palatine Whole Foods-special lotions, socks, and treats for all ages

Sue Gould and Starck, Realtors-toys

The Cornerstone Breakfast Club-toys

The Cornerstone Breakfast Group-toys

The Cornerstone Surge Group-toys

Prince of Peace Church-homemade mittens for Giving Tree

The Kiewert Family-socks for Giving Tree

Fremd Student Council-toys

Thrive Vineyard Church-gifts for families

Salt Creek Park District –hats, scarves, mittens for Giving Tree

Immanuel Lutheran School-gifts for families

Palatine Bank and Trust-coats for children

Thank you for sharing your joy and love in 2012. I was able to witness this power of your caring and it provided healing for the suffering, warmth for the cold, and light for the hopeless. Bless you all and may 2013 be a prosperous and healthy year!

Kathy Millin

November 21, 2012

Our Fall Artisan's Market and First Bake Sale were a huge success.

Customers enjoyed hot apple cider, coffee and wonderful array of sweets baked by the Women of ROLE, while they shopped for quality handmade goods. Our bake sale was a such a success that customers have requested another one! Proceeds from this year's market and bake sale benefit ROLE. Find out more about ROLE programs here.

November 4, 2012

A BIG thank you to our board members, donors, volunteers and guests at our Second Annual Fall Football Fundraiser. While the Chicago Bears won big, raffle ticket holders and silent auctioneers won big prizes as well. Proceeds from this years event benefit ICOMPETE and POC programs. Thank you to everyone involved!

October 24, 2012

The Palatine Opportunity Center was nominated among 27 agencies and companies for Reflejos Bilingual Journal Reflecting Excellence Awards this week. The Center was honored for its excellence service and community activism in the Palatine area. Read more at Reflejos Online.

October 10, 2012

New Spanish Women's Support Group to start on October 16th at POC.

In partnership with WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger), the Palatine Opportunity Center will be offering a support group for Spanish speaking women in our community. The group is aimed at educating, outreach and support for women. Discussions will include parenting issues, healthy eating, community resources and more. The group will take place on Thursdays from 1 to 2 pm. Childcare is available and no registration is needed. For more information contact the POC at 847-776-9500 x 0.

September 22, 2012

The Palatine Opportunity Center had the privilege of a visit from Senator Dick Durbin.

Senator Durbin read to pre-school children, chatted with GED students and sat down to discuss community issues with community members and ROLE members as well.

September 13, 2012

Join in the fun this weekend, September 14 to the 16 for the Rotary Club of Palatine, Octoberfest 1012. Proceeds from Octoberfest go to support valuable programs and agencies in the Palatine area, including the Palatine Opportunity Center. For more information, visit the Rotary Club of Palatine here.

Up to Date at POC

November 2011

Thank you to United Way for supporting our Learning Lab and childcare services with two new kid friendly computers. Click here to find out more about the Learning Lab.