$20,000 donation bolsters outreach to 4,500 Illinois Valley families and children

December 14, 2021 – Ottawa, Ill. – Illinois Railway, LLC (IR), an OmniTRAX affiliate, has selected Youth Service Bureau Illinois Valley (YSB) as a 2021 Good Neighbor Program recipient. The $10,000 Good Neighbor Program contribution will be matched by a $10,000 donation by OmniTRAX’s parent company, The Broe Group, to enable expanded YSB outreach to 4,500 children and families throughout 20 North Central Illinois counties.

“The communities we serve are the foundation of our railroad and our Good Neighbor Program provides support to local organizations that make these communities stronger,” said Illinois Railway General Manager Joseph Allen Thompson. “We appreciate the assistance of Mayor Ausseum’s office to help identify worthy organizations that serve the Illinois Valley and are honored to contribute to a such a meaningful local nonprofit.”

The independent community-based child welfare agency has been serving the Illinois Valley for five decades, including the Ottawa community.

“These are especially difficult times for troubled children and families throughout the valley and YSB continues to improve the lives of our children through critical services such as foster care, crisis intervention and family counseling,” said Ottawa Mayor Dan Ausseum. “On behalf of the City of Ottawa, we thank Illinois Railway for such a generous donation to help YSB reach area children and families in need during the holiday season.”

Youth Service Bureau is an independent, 501(c)(3) serving low-income, abused-neglected children and at-risk area youth exposed to alcohol abuse, drug abuse and domestic violence. Many have become victims of neglect and abuse due to these conditions.

“Funding for YSB’s programs is a constant challenge that relies on local support to meet our community’s growing need,” said YSB Executive Director Frank Vonch. “Our dedicated staff has maintained critical services for Illinois Valley children and families throughout the COVID19 crisis, and Illinois Railway’s timely gift of hope will have a direct impact on our community’s children.”