Our mission

The caring people of Elmhurst unite to provide compassionate assistance to people in need in our community.

A sign that says providing vital assistance to neighbors in need

Our story

Since 1997, the Elmhurst Walk-in Assistance Network has provided compassionate assistance to individuals and families in the Elmhurst community going through a difficult time. Sometimes families or individuals experience a job loss, a cutback in hours, divorce, disability, or other sudden, unforeseen circumstance that leave them unable to pay a bill. EWAN is a place they can come to for help while they get back on their feet. We serve Elmhurst residents, families with children in Elmhurst schools, or registered members of partnering Elmhurst churches.
 
We provide assistance with rent, utilities, car repair, prescriptions and gas. We coordinate access to local food pantries and clothes closets, and fund essential dental care through our partner dentists. 
 
EWAN also supports students in Elmhurst schools through the school snack program and the SWAN (Students with Activity Needs) fund, ensuring kids can participate in school programs. 
 
Finally, our EWAN Hope Fund assists families and individuals in particularly dire and unexpected circumstances.


Elmhurst Walk-in Assistance Network is a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 31-1650035)


Questions? Contact our Executive Director

Elmhurst Walk-in Assistance Network, Inc.
125 W Church St

Elmhurst, IL 60126



Whether it's due to job loss, illness, divorce, or death in the family, EWAN serves individuals and families in times of crisis.

Over 20,000 client visits.

25,100 services.

$2 million in assistance.

EWAN is here to provide a bridge to better times.

Our partners

The Elmhurst Assistance Network is available to any member of the Elmhurst community. Likewise, it depends on the support of many businesses, service organizations, and organizations within the community. The following all contribute in a special way.

  • Partnering Businesses & Organizations

    Thank you to these local businesses and organizations that work with us to provide services for our clients:


    • Bentley's Pet Stuff
    • Cityview Community Church Clothes Closet
    • DuPage Animal Hospital
    • Elmhurst Clothing Center at First United Methodist Church
    • Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry
    • Goodwill Industries 
    • Goodwill Workforce
    • Hope’s Front Door of Downers Grove 
    • Immaculate Conception Food Pantry
    • Lombard Pharmacy 
    • Mehta Motors 
    • Shoe Carnival 
    • Team Spirit Shell Gas, York and 3rd

  • Covenant churches

    EWAN got its start as an initiative by the churches, and it continues to rely on their active participation. Covenant churches have an agreement with EWAN to refer people seeking help to us. They also assist by providing volunteers, advertising events and offering financial support. 


    Covenant churches include:

    • Bethel United Church of Christ
    • Cityview Community Church
    • Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church
    • Elmhurst Presbyterian Church
    • Epiphany Evangelical Lutheran Church
    • Episcopal Church of Our Savior
    • Faith Christian Reformed Church
    • Faith Church of Elmhurst - GMC
    • First Church of Christ, Scientist
    • First Congregational United Church of Christ
    • First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst
    • Grace Bible Church
    • Immaculate Conception Church
    • Immanuel Lutheran Church
    • Mary Queen of Heaven
    • Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church
    • St. Peter’s United Church of Christ
    • Visitation Catholic Church
    • Yorkfield Presbyterian Church

  • Participating Dentists

    The following dentists participate in our dental program by donating time and/or services to our clients:

    •     Dr. Daniel DeSalvo
    •     Dr. Gene Leonord
    •     Dr. Thomas McKenna
    •     Dr. Thomas Newman, Jr.
    •     Dr. Stavroula Spyropoulos
    •     Dr. Brian Reardon
    •     Dr. Kevin Kopp
    •     Dr. Douglas Kay
    •     Cottage Hill Dental Care

Staff & Board of Directors

Executive Director (ex officio)

Jackie Crnkovich

Associate Executive Director (ex officio)

Kim Anciulis (Director of Marketing, Branding & PR)


Executive Committee

  • President: Erin Radcliff
  • Vice President: Susan Wilson
  • Secretary: Mike Hauert
  • Treasurer: Dawn Muckian
  • Director of Finance and Development: John Czyzycki
  • Director of Church Relations: Jerry Ostermann
  • Director of Client Programs & Benefits: Jennifer Morrissey (past president)


Directors at Large

  • Ken Bartels
  • Vicki Julian (Special Populations Outreach)
  • Suji LaBine (Site Management)
  • Jennifer Morrissey (Site Volunteer Coordination & Training) (past president)
  • Gio Roldan
  • Nat Rosasco
  • Jackie Salek
  • Rev. Matt Parker Wrzeszcz
  • Sgt. Guy Schweik (ex officio)