Who are we? ...a coordinated community effort to provide a site for compassionate assistance to individuals and families in need of immediate help.
What do we do? ...provide a friendly atmosphere to listen to client’s needs, assess and service their immediate requirements and provide them with recommendations for seeking long-term assistance from other helping organizations in the area.
What do we provide? ...an entry point to all DuPage County Human Services and we direct clients through the network of helping agencies so they may efficiently move through the system on their way to help. We have access to DuPage County’s C.R.I.S. referral system and have created our own database system to help connect clients to several helping agencies and food pantries such as FISH, Immanuel Lutheran, People’s Resource Center and Saint Vincent DePaul Societies. We give referrals for shelter services through PADS, help with applications to Access DuPage, LIHEAP and All Kids plus help clients with DuPage Human Services and LOVE Christian Clearinghouse. Many more service agencies are available. To satisfy immediate needs we supply food, meal, medicine and gasoline vouchers, bus and train tickets, eyeglass referrals with Lenscrafters and can assist with small automotive repairs by collaborating with other helping agencies.
Whom do we serve? ...the unemployed, underemployed and homeless; everyone who walks through our door. Voucher assistance is available to those who live in our six-community service area (Downers Grove, Darien, Lisle, Westmont, Willowbrook and Woodridge)
Who supports us? ...area churches, local businesses, community organizations and individuals provide services, volunteer recruits and monetary donations.
What is the role of the volunteer? Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Ministry. Initial training is provided in addition to periodic refresher and update classes. Then, the trained volunteer listens carefully to clients, determines their immediate needs, discusses referrals to other helping agencies and arranges for voucher support to address immediate concerns.