The Village will mark the five-year anniversary of Elk Grove Village Cares, an opioid and addiction treatment initiative that has helped scores of residents, with a “Celebration of Community” early this summer.
Village officials said they are planning a celebratory event in June to recognize how community members have come together to support the goals of Elk Grove Village Cares and the individuals and families that have sought treatment through the program.
Elk Grove Village Cares provides more “points of entry” for people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction and helps them access the resources they need to begin the very difficult process of recovery. The initiative, which just recently received $500,000 in federal funding to offset the costs of treatment, also establishes and strengthens community-based resources for those in recovery and their family members, and educates residents about the disease of addiction.
Under the initiative, anyone seeking treatment for their opioid addiction can seek it through the Elk Grove Village Police Department. Those seeking help will not face arrest. Rather, police officers and counselors will connect individuals to nearby treatment programs.
Since the Village launched Elk Grove Village Cares in June 2018, 146 contacts have been made to connect individuals in need to partnering treatment programs. Last year, 46 people were connected to treatment and so far this year, ten people have contacted the program for assistance.
The celebratory event, scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 4 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., will include a car show, food trucks, and musical entertainment. The celebration, located in the areas surrounding the Village Green, will kick off with an auto show from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in a special partnership with Those Guys Car Club. Local artist and entertainer Tony Ocean will be providing entertainment from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for participants and spectators of the auto show. A variety of food trucks serving both sweet and savory treats will be available from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for guests to enjoy during a special concert performance by The Grass Roots at 6:00 p.m.
In addition, special guest Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi will present a check for $500,000 in recognition of federal funding he helped secure to offset treatment costs in support of the Village’s Elk Grove Cares program.
Village officials said they also plan to have informational resources on hand at the event for those seeking more information about how to encourage loved ones to seek treatment and to combat addiction.
And finally, Village officials anticipate announcing details about an important expansion of the Elk Grove Village Cares program.
“When we announced this initiative five years ago, the community welcomed it with open arms,” said Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson. “Since then, we have worked very hard to break down the barriers that stand between people needing help and people actually getting that help. Our celebration of community will signify our ongoing commitment to continuing to treat the opioid crisis with compassion, partnership and creativity.”
