Giving young women a shot at the happy future they deserve 1

A shot at a happier future

543 Votes
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Thanks to E.J. Coyne & Company reaching their goal of 500 votes + shares, The Harbour received a $10,000 donation from Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance to provide essential services and hope to young women in northern Illinois. Congrats to the team and thank you for supporting them!

Cook County, Illinois has the second highest population density of any U.S. county. The systemic issues that impact such an enormous metro area are bound to have a ripple effect on the surrounding region. Suburban Cook County, just outside of Chicago, is no exception, as it grapples with how to provide young people experiencing homelessness with the resources they need.

In Cook County, The Harbour has spent the past 50 years providing a safety net for young women facing homelessness. In moments of crisis The Harbour provides emergency housing and services, as well as support for long-term employment. Nearby insurance agency, E.J. Coyne & Company, joined the cause 15 years ago and hasn’t looked back.

Finding a home in the cause

In 2006, E.J. Coyne & Company began providing insurance for The Harbour, but quickly saw a deeper role for themselves in the important work the organization was doing. Occasional monetary donations evolved into long term volunteering, and now the agency provides year-round staple events for The Harbour’s clients, as well as fundraising support. Four agency employees are regular volunteers, and agency leadership has even taken up Board-level responsibilities for the nonprofit.

Giving young women a shot at the happy future they deserve 3
Ed, Matt and Karen Coyne along with associates Chris Duerwachter and Rotary representative Steve Huntz at the 2019 barbecue. The agency holds this event every summer, inviting up to 30 clients and staff from The Harbour.

Fostering more than a sense of home – a sense of family

E.J. Coyne & Company has stayed involved with The Harbour in very intentional ways. The agency’s efforts all drive toward a common purpose of creating community and helping build the futures of the organization’s youth. From annual barbecues and “Top Chef” style cooking events to holiday gift-giving and mentorship opportunities, the agency builds community and helps break the cycle of homelessness.

The Harbour’s annual gala most directly showcases the enormous impact this work has.

“At the event we hear from the young women who have been able to rise above their challenges,” said Leah Greenblum, Director of Development at The Harbour. “Many have completed their education, secured employment, and are thriving, living independent lives. While they may have experienced abandonment in the past, they’ve learned that there are adults in their lives that care about them.”

“Many of our youth have completed their education, secured employment and are thriving, living independent lives.”

-Leah Greenblum, Director of Development at The Harbour

Giving young women a shot at the happy future they deserve 1
Ed and Matt Coyne presenting a check for the Harbour House fund. This will be used to provide computer workstations in a new long-term housing building for the clients’ educational needs.

A flourishing future starts with big changes now

The Harbour continues to ramp up their focus on long-term solutions, providing resources to help the youth they serve with education and employment. Often, successful futures are made possible with even basic access to reliable technology. The nonprofit hopes to outfit that with desktop computers and laptops youth can check out in the new “Harbour House.” This new facility will replace the 90-year-old building they currently use and will house 10 young women, offering a safe, friendly location where they can restart their lives.

E.J. Coyne & Company’s most recent efforts have focused on fundraising to help complete this project. “With the increase in teen homelessness, it’s rewarding to know that we can help even a few of these young women move onto productive and happy lives,” said Ed Coyne, President of E.J. Coyne & Company.

“It’s rewarding to know that we can help even a few of these young women move onto productive and happy lives.”

-Ed Coyne, President, E.J. Coyne & Company

Giving young women a shot at the happy future they deserve 2
Ed and Matt Coyne in a Partnership Board meeting, discussing fundraising efforts to complete the Harbour House.

$10,000 would enable The Harbour to make the computer lab a reality in the new Harbour House. Your share or comment on this story would directly contribute to E.J. Coyne & Company’s efforts!

543 Votes
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Jackie Butzen
2 years ago

I realize this is late. I still want to contribute to the Coyne’s effort to make a difference. I am proud to call them friends. Thank you for all your kindness.

Debi Green
3 years ago

Thank you for your support of the homeless!

Tracy
3 years ago

Thanks for supporting this great cause!

Sophia
3 years ago

Excellent organization — thank you

Lisa Anne
3 years ago

You absolutely have my vote!!! Love everyone who is within this company- especially Jessica Wright☺️

Michael Joseph
3 years ago

Jessica does great work!! She helped Soo many people and does it with an open heart just looking out for the youth. The world is a better place because of this organization!!

Lisa Anne
3 years ago

Such wonderful people! They have always done their job with amazing integrity, honesty, and compassion. Jessica is absolutely wonderful and I know she will help me with everything I need. I love this company!

Michael Joseph Zimmer
3 years ago

Thank you for supporting the community!!

Alison
3 years ago

Thank you for helping the community like this!

Lisa Slavo
3 years ago

What an amazing organization!! They do such inspiring work and love supporting their community. Who could ask for more?❤️

Janet D.
3 years ago

🙂 Inspiring – great bunch of folks. Good luck!

Shan
3 years ago

The Harbour deserves this for all the hard work and dedication they put into helping these young ladies and securing them a bright future.

Nora Gash
3 years ago

This is fantastic! Such a great organization doing wonderful things!!

Jennifer Wright
3 years ago

Thank you for supporting our community

Tiffany Wright
3 years ago

Thanks to the Harbour for all your amazing work for homeless youth!

Shay
3 years ago

After a very difficult 2020, this makes me so happy, to help others in need. This is a fantastic program! Thank you to everyone involved!

Michael Ryan
3 years ago

Great work Ed, Matt and crew! You’re making a difference!

Valorie Wright
3 years ago

Happy to be apart of the Harbour’s mission and efforts to transform and enhance the quality of lives for girls…..

Renate Reichs
3 years ago

Thanks for the work you do!

Mary Burke-Peterson
3 years ago

It is a very good morning!

Terri Szewczyk
3 years ago

Thank you for your continued partnership, E.J. Coyne & Company!

Kris Salyards
3 years ago

Thousands of youth have been through our doors. This house means hope and promise for a better future.

Noah scott
3 years ago

Great work!!!! Keep it up

Kate Kerin
3 years ago

Thanks for all you are doing to support the youth in our community. The Harbour is a wonderful organization that provides critical services to homeless youth.

Amanda McNamara
3 years ago

Thank you EJ Coyne & Company for the support you provide to such an inspiring organization!

Jessica
3 years ago

Keep the comments coming! We’re almost there!

Elouise Spencer
3 years ago

Thanks fir supporting the Harbour. I’ve worked here for 20 plus years. Great place to work and provide needed service to youth.

Bridget Wright
3 years ago

Great organization for the community!

Cindy P
3 years ago

Everyone goes through hard times in life but not everyone has the support they need to get through it, the harbour gives hope, guidance and structure which leads to a second chance.

Susan Rossate
3 years ago

Wonderful organization to support

Jack Rossate
3 years ago

It’s nice to support this work!

Margie Stephens
3 years ago

Wonderful Partnership! Thank you for the work you’re doing to support our homeless youth!

Marc Dykton
3 years ago

Thank you for all the hard work! Great staff and a great cause!

Cari Seymour
3 years ago

Such an amazing organization and all of the people involved are wonderful and helpful!!!! Very lucky to have in the community!!!!

Michael Joseph Zimmer
3 years ago

Great company doing great things for the community!

Angie Wu
3 years ago

Wow, what an amazing organization! Keep up the great work.

Cara
3 years ago

Amazing organization!!! Incredibly important programming

Liz Werner
3 years ago

Thank you! Great work!

Mal Wallers
3 years ago

Such a great organization, love the support from the community.

Jeff Zimmer
3 years ago

Great cause! Vote!

Julia
3 years ago

Thank you for providing the youth in need with supportive resources!

Sharon W
3 years ago

you the best Harbour!!! Keep up the good work!!!

Gina
3 years ago

Such a great cause, could use the extra donation!

Matt
3 years ago

The Harbour is a great organization that does amazing things!

Jessica
3 years ago

Wooohooo! Let’s go Harbour Supporters!

Kori Larson
3 years ago

Thank-you for providing services to homeless women.

Mary Burke-Peterson
3 years ago

We are getting so close! Please keep the momentum going!

Linda McDougall
3 years ago

This is an awesome organization that helps the homeless youth

Melissa Pelto
3 years ago

What an inspiring mission!

Satnam
3 years ago

Thank you for the amazing work you are doing for these young women!

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