Your Diocese

ROMEOVILLE—Those who are involved in social service and charitable organizations across the nation are facing the daunting task of effectively serving the impoverished with a possible economic recession looming on the horizon.

“We see more people in need and funding drying up,” stressed Deacon Jerry Christensen, vice president of the Walk-In Ministry of Hope in Downers Grove.

The organization started nearly a decade ago when members of various church denominations came to the conclusion that individual faith communities could not adequately address the problem of poverty in DuPage County, said Art Leamy, executive director of the Walk-In Ministry of Hope. They decided they could better serve the poor in their respective communities by pooling their resources and creating an outreach complex in a centralized location, he added.

Funded and operated by volunteers from nearly 20 church denominations, including Christ the Servant Parish in Woodridge, Divine Savior Parish in Downers Grove and Union Church of Hinsdale, the ministry receives additional monetary support from DuPage County businesses and community organizations, said Leamy. Individual backers also help offset the $150,000 annual budget.

There are now about 120,000 people living in DuPage County with incomes under the poverty level, said Deacon Christensen of St. Scholastica Parish in Woodridge as he referenced a survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. More than 60,000 people in the county lack access to health care, he added, emphasizing the need for emergency services in the region.

In 2007, about 4,000 people sought assistance at the Walk-In Ministry of Hope, said Leamy. About 300 people arrive at the three-room complex per month, added the member of Divine Savior Parish in Downers Grove. About 30 percent of those seeking services are homeless, he added.

While volunteers have been successful in securing grants from agencies, including the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Leamy stressed the needs are beginning to surpass the resources of the organization. “We are really in need of funding,” he said.

The ministry provides vouchers for food, transportation, car repair and lodging to clients who reside in Darien, Downers Grove, Lisle, Westmont, Willowbrook and Woodridge. The group also has partnerships with pharmacists, optometrists, dentists and other medical professionals who offer services to clients free of charge or at discounted rates, noted Deacon Christensen.

In addition, the volunteers refer clients to other outreach associations and help them apply for government-funded aid programs, said the deacon.

Along with financial donations, the church members collect diapers, toiletry items, clothing, books and toys to be given to clients of the Walk-In Ministry of Hope, said Deacon Christensen.

Eighth graders of St. Scholastica Parish organize drives to collect items as part of their confirmation service projects, noted Deacon Christensen. “It’s a good way to get them involved in something,” he said.

Garnering services begins with the interview process. A volunteer assess the needs of the person and determines how the agency might be able to help him or her, explained Deacon Christensen.

In the meantime, the clients are offered help with job resumes and interviewing skills. They also have access to telephones and fax machines to inquire about possible job opportunities.

There are no specific guidelines to qualify for services, said Leamy. “If they indicate they need help, we will help them,” he said. On the other hand, he explained clients can only receive services one time per month and four times per year. “We try to help them become self-sufficient,” he added.

The organization has been “a godsend in the community,” said the Rev. Rhonda Kral, the associate pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Downers Grove. Members of her congregation lend their support to the ministry. “It helps so many people,” she stressed.

“It does what it says,” Rev. Kral continued, explaining clients “can walk in and receive a ministry of hope.” Those in need of assistance “find help and wonderful caring people” at the center. The volunteers “help everyone who walks through the door. It’s just wonderful,” she added.

The outreach organization is located on the sixth floor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Downers Grove. The Rev. Laura Hoglund, senior associate minister at the church, is the current president of the Walk-In Ministry of Hope.

“It’s very inspiring to see lives being crossed,” Rev. Hoglund said, talking about the support of believers from various church denominations.

Rev. Hoglund asserted that the aim of the organization is to foster unity among people of faith and clients. “We need to overcome boundaries among us and walk with the poor,” she said. “The inter-faith movement is so important,” she stressed.

The Walk-In Ministry of Hope “is really ecumenism at its best,” added Deacon Christensen.