Your Chance to Connect with Connections for the Homeless: October 23, 2020

We have new opportunities for volunteers who want to make a difference in our community in very concrete ways. Connections for the Homeless is a well-established, non-profit organization in Evanston, providing a wide range of services to homeless people. To address the complexities of services during the Covid19 pandemic, they have been creative and flexible and have increased their efforts to meet greater needs.  They provide temporary housing, lunches, clothing and access to other essential services, including a path to permanent housing.

The UCE Prison Ministry and Food and Shelter Team are launching a renewed and invigorated partnership with Connections, along with a $40,000 donation from our Endowment Fund.  Connections has effective infrastructure to provide services, which all depend on lots of volunteers. That’s where we come in – with volunteers! We’re starting with two areas – bag lunches and the Clothing Room at Hilda’s Place. We’re hopeful that in 2021 we can expand to other projects, as well.

There are roles for all adults, with varying levels of contact with other people. The 25 bag lunches (sandwich, fruit, snack and drink) are made and delivered to Hilda’s Place on Monday through Friday. Hilda’s Place is in the basement of Lake Street Church, 1458 Chicago Ave. in Evanston. The cost of the food is already covered.

The Clothing Room at Hilda’s Place is a way for people to get clean, warm clothing. It also helps provide a sense of value and dignity and a way to build relationships with people living on the street. Winter is almost here!  Volunteers are needed to gather new socks and underwear or lightly used hoodies, jackets, sweatshirts. They can’t use dress clothes, like sport jackets.

These are tasks that can be done in small groups or individually. The lunches can be made at home or in the UCE kitchen. Please use the link below to sign up for a date to help with bag lunches. This is a great way to invest in our community in a practical, meaningful way.

Questions? Contact Sheila Holder at skholder8@gmail.com.