Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans

(MSHV) is a new addition to LHC's Outreach Ministry as of March 2015. Nancy and Rik Alex introduced me to the Shelter and I am so grateful and thankful that they did. IMHO, the words "homeless vets" should never appear in the same sentence. I have a windshield sticker that reads "Freedom isn't Free" and I am more than passionate about helping eliminating homeless veterans. MSHV provides transitional and permanent housing for homeless veterans, psychological treatment, transportation, financial management skills, legal assistance, daily living skills, case management, education, employment training, and medical care access. The Shelter moved in the Spring to a much bigger/newer facility that now allows them to deliver even more critical services. The space includes a training room, a free commissary, temporary housing, and administrative offices.

The area they serve is DuPage and N. Cook county and downtown although they don't like to turn anyone away. The Shelter primarily caters to male vets, but they have recently added a shelter specifically devoted to female vets called Tammy's Trace.

An immediate need has been identified for a female room set up. The set up includes a night table ($170), bureau ($450), and a single bed ($340), mattress/box spring, and bedding. Outreach, with the support of Council, has agree to provide the room set up for Tammy's Trace. I am working with Jane Tyschenko, Programs Director, on the details. Art sent a $500 check in April, we will cut another check for the remaining balance, and give it to Bob Adams, Co-Founder, when he comes for their Mission Moment on June 14th.

MSHV also has an open volunteer opportunity for putting together and setting up the furniture at Tammy's Trace. I will be announcing the request volunteers in church over the coming weeks and I am working with Jane to identify a date and time. This may be driven by the folks who elect to volunteer.

Community Crisis Center Turns 40!

A couple of Sundays ago, Gretchen Vapner, Executive Director for the Community Crisis Center in Elgin was present during worship to tell us a little about the center. The center offers many services such as a 24-hour crisis hotline and information and referral; emergency temporary shelter for women and children who are homeless due to domestic violence or financial crisis; individual and group counseling; medical, legal and welfare advocacy; financial assistance to abate homelessness; an emergency food pantry; and community education. The Community Crisis Center service area includes northern Kane County from St. Charles to the northern edge of the county and far northwest suburban Cook County, and there are no service area limits for domestic violence victims. The center serves over 6000 people annually. The center has long been one of LHC's outreach partners and it is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year. In celebration, the center is offering a car raffle, for which tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100. To support the center (and maybe win car) click here to enter!

And finally, a big thank you to those who participated in our Blood Drive last month. We were able to collect 19 pints of blood!