• Rent and Utility Assistance
• Assistance for Prescriptions
• Food Referrals and an on-site Food Pantry
• Travel Funds
• Client Assessment and Advocacy
• General Information and Referral Services
• Homeless Shelter for Women with Children
• On-Site Medical Care
• Special Holiday Assistance for Thanksgiving and Christmas
• Parenting Skills
• Employment Skills
• Household Items
• Seasonal Needs – Fans and Blankets
• Promote Community Awareness

 

Volunteer Projects:

• Supper Meals for the Shelter. Prepare and bring a meal for approximately 20 people including children. Current open days each month are:
  • Every Sunday
  • 1st, 2nd, 4th, Mondays
  • 1st and 3rd Tuesdays
  • Every Thursday
  • Every Friday
  • Every Saturday
  • Any 5th days
• Clothing Give Away Store. 3 or 4 people every Monday and Wednesday afternoon, 1 to 3 p.m. to work in the Store. Assist clients in selecting clothes.
• Clothing Sorters. People to sort, size, hang or fold clothes for the Clothing Store. Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings; Tuesday and Thursday any time
• Food Pantry Workers. 3 to 4 people every Friday afternoon, 1 to 3 p.m. Assist clients in choosing their food form the grocery list and bagging the food for clients.
• Food Sorters. People to date food and stock shelves in the food pantry. Anytime Monday through Friday
• Special Event for the Moms in the Shelter. Plan and do a special activity for our Moms. This could be an event in the shelter or an outing. Some possibilities: dinner out, manicures/pedicures, special cooking class etc.
• Special Event for the Children in the Shelter. Plan and do a special activity for our children. This could be an event in the shelter or an outing. Some possibilities: movie night, craft project, Henson Robinson Zoo, Kicks, etc.

• Lead Bible studies, Life-skills classes, Sunday School type lessons for the moms or children in the Shelter
• Provide on-site Babysitting service so our moms can look for jobs, study, go to school etc.
• Planting and tending to outdoor flowers and landscaping around the building
• Share your expertise in computer skills, organizational skills, etc. with our office
• Organize food or new toy drives

IF YOU OR YOUR GROUP ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING PLEASE CALL 217-753-3939

 

Shelter Meals

Contact Ministries Homeless Shelter can house 7 women and children. The total number each night is approximately 20. While residing in our shelter, these families are provided with a safe environment to live and all the necessities of life free of charge. We are grateful for the volunteers who provide a good, nutritious meal each night. There are a number of ways you or your group can provide a meal:

• Prepare a “one-dish” meal such as stews, chili, casseroles
• Prepare a full meal including meat, vegetables, salad, and dessert
• Prepare just the main course of the meal
• Prepare sandwiches, chips and condiments
• Purchase food from fast food, pizza, fried chicken, Mexican, etc.
• Cook out for the families in the summer

Current open days each month are:

• Every Sunday
• 1st, 2nd, 4th, Mondays
• 1st and 3rd Tuesdays
• Every Thursday
• Every Friday
• Every Saturday
• Any 5th days

Other Helpful Information:

• We usually have a variety of ages of children
• Use disposable pans if possible
• Supper is usually served around 5:30 p.m. You can drop your meal off close to that time or earlier in the day and the Shelter Staff can re-heat it.

IF YOU OR YOUR GROUP IS INTERESTED IN PROVIDING A MEAL FOR THE SHELTER PLEASE CALL 217-753-3939

Care Packages

One of those things often missed by our clients are special events in their lives. You can help us make sure that these special events are recognized. You or your group can either provide the entire care package or supplies that could be put together by other volunteers.

• Shelter Entry Package for Mom. This package could include shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste and toothbrush, lotion, other personal items
• Shelter Entry Package for Children. This package could include coloring book and crayons, reading books, stuffed animals, toothbrush. Our children range in age from infants through age 12 for boys and 17 for girls.

• Birthday Package. This package would include a cake mix, ready to use frosting, candles, disposable camera, cake plates and napkins.
• New House Package. This package could include cleaning supplies, toilet paper, restaurant coupons for the first night, grocery store gift certificates
• Special Day Package. This could recognize a special achievement either for an adult or child. Special days could include finding a job, a good day in school, completing a GED, a good report card etc. The package could contain gift certificates that would allow the person to do something special.
• Fun Package for Children. This package could include card games, small toys, bubbles, coloring books, DVDs, games, etc.
• Gift Certificates/Tickets for a variety of things is always welcomed. These could include restaurants, stores, movie theaters, etc.