About POC

Partners for Our Communities (POC) empowers underserved people to develop self-sufficiency and become leaders in their communities. We build partnerships with other community organizations, connect families with local resources, and remove barriers to access. POC is proud to provide a skilled, culturally sensitive staff that is bilingual and bicultural.

Because we are all stronger together.

Our Mission & Vision

Partner for Our Communities mission is to empower individuals and families and change lives by:

Providing survival skills needed to navigate in a changing and complex world
Removing barriers and linking individuals and families to community resources and services
Bringing personal awareness of one’s potential while honoring one’s heritage
Serving as a site for continuing education, life skills training, and vocational advancement

Partners for Our Communities vision is for a community of active citizens, healthy families, and vibrant neighborhoods.

Our History

2022

POC Takes Over Clothing Closet

2020

POC Expands to Hanover Park & Township

POC expands services to Hanover Park and Hanover Township.

2016

Higgins Education Center Advisory Committee Formed

POC partners with High School Township School District 211 to offer services at the Higgins Education Center in Hoffman Estates and establishes the HEC Advisory Committee with 20+ partnering agencies.

2014

Palatine Opportunity Center Becomes Partners for Our Communities

The Palatine Opportunity Center changes its name to Partners for Our Communities using the same acronym POC to increase service area and address the growing needs of our surrounding communities.

2008

Partnership Formed to Start ICompete Youth Program

POC, Palatine Park District, CCSD15, and Palatine High School partner to provide the ICompete youth program.

1998

Northwest Community Hospital Purchases CRC & Health Clinic Opens

Northwest Community Hospital (NCH) with an anonymous donor purchase the building at 1585 N. Rand Road and convert the space into a resource center. POC manages the daily operations.

This building is referred to as the Community Resource Center (CRC).

Northwest Community Hospital (NCH) partners with the Cook County Health Department to open a health clinic at the Rand Road site.

1994

Palatine Opportunity Center (POC) Established

Vision in Progress establishes the Palatine Opportunity Center (POC).

1992

Vision in Progress Founded & Edgebrook Community Center Opens

Palatine leaders create the group called Vision in Progress to assess community needs in response to the increase of immigrant and low-income families entering Northeast Palatine.

A central location opens to provide access to community resources at the Baldwin Green Apartments at 1926 North Green Lane, Palatine called the Edgebrook Community Center.