January Shared Offering Recipient: Emergency Shelter for Families with Children (ESF)

The Shared Offering Recipient for this month is the new Emergency Shelter for Families with Children (ESF), slated to open next month. Currently, if a family in C-U becomes homeless and seeks emergency shelter, the mom has to stay at the women’s shelter, the dad at the men’s shelter, the kids go to yet another place. The ESF aims to change this situation by providing basic emergency housing and crucial case management services so that homeless families may remain together. During the family’s short-term stay, the parent(s) work with a professional to secure a more stable housing situation. Donations to the new ESF shelter will help with housing costs and staff salaries. Each school year in Champaign County, there are more than 300 kids whose families become homeless; living in their cars, couch surfing from the home of one friend to another. The ESF will give these families a place to stay while they work on finding safe, stable, affordable housing. All contributions to the church specifically designated as being for this organization, and half of the plate collections throughout the month of January will be donated to this worthy organization. For more information, contact the church at (217) 384-8862 or admin@uucuc.org.