FAITH IN ACTION
The purpose of the Board of Faith in Action (FIA) is to support outreach efforts and encourage and equip congregants for service outside church walls. Through service, we can inspire hope, strengthen relationships, and transform communities. The role of the members of the Board of Faith in Action is to discern between betterment (charity) and development (the path to self-sufficiency) and mindfully consider next steps. The intent of the Board of Faith in Action is to
· Provide opportunities for hands-on outreach that inspire and connect individuals to meaningful service
· Pursue intentional efforts to build partnerships with communities in need
· Provide emergency response to individuals, families, or communities in crisis
· Continue to offer funding, grants, and special disbursements that align with the purpose of the FIA
· Seek to right injustice through discussion, dialogue, support, and action
Special Offerings are conducted twice yearly. The Easter Offering highlights two or more non-profit agencies that will receive the Easter collection from the congregation. World Offering Sunday focuses two or more agencies that will receive the special October offering. Agencies for consideration can be suggested by congregants and all agencies are reviewed and selected by FIA.
Volunteer opportunities are available for those seeking meaningful service and a connection outside of the church walls. As opportunities arise, congregants will be notified by various means including but not limited to email, social media, and written correspondence. We have identified numerous community agencies that can always use help and FIA provides full listing below.
Your ideas are welcome. If there is a program – local, national or international - that you would like to have considered for an outreach grant, please send that information to Betsy Hanzelin, Staff Liaison to Faith in Action board
In 2020, the FCC Governing Board approved that FCC work to partner with groups that are committed to redevelop Harvey. Please click below for information on the project and ways to volunteer! Anna Carvalho and Jay Readey are the FCC coordinators of this project.
Harvey Project
FCC's comittment to community redevelopment in our neighboring town of Harvey, IL
Community Agencies
The list below are organizations and agencies that The Board of Faith in Action or members of the congregation have supported in the past. Included are websites for more information, donation links, and wish lists when available. The organizations are listed alphabetically, not in order of preference. Please consider supporting these groups!
By The Hand Club for Kids
The mission of By The Hand is a Christ-centered, after-school program designed to take kids by the hand and walk with them from kindergarten through college, loving and nurturing them—mind, body and soul.
PO Box 10043, Chicago, IL 60610 , 773.413.0895
Contact: info@bythehand.org
Website: bythehand.org
Donation link: bythehand.org/give
Bethel Family Resource Center
The mission of Bethel Family Resource Center is to participate in the development of the community economically and socially; promote the educational growth of both children and adults; and assist in the strengthening of the family through programs and services designed to assure responsibility, encourage self-growth and provide advocacy ongoing support for those most in need.
1250 Portland Ave, Chicago Heights, IL 60411, 708.758.5585
Contact: Tonii Harris Taylor, Program Director, tharris@bethelfacility.org
Contact: Robin Futrell, Case Manager, robinfutrell@sbcglobal.net
Website: bethelfacility.org
Donation link: https://www.bethelfacility.org/donate
Cancer Support Center
NOTE: There are two facilities, one in Homewood and the other in Mokena
The mission of the Cancer Support Center is to provide those with cancer and their families with free support.
2028 Elm Road, Homewood, IL 60430, 708.798.9171
Contact: Cynthia Turnquest, Director of Outreach & Strategic Partners, cturnquest@cancersupportcenter.org
Website: cancersupportcenter.org
Donation link: classy.org/give/123486/#!/donation/checkout
Chicago Community Bond Fund
The mission of the Chicago Community Bond Fund is to support individuals whose communities cannot afford to pay the bonds themselves and who have been impacted by structural violence.
Chicago Community Bond Fund, 601 S. California, Chicago, IL 60612
Website: Chicagobond.org
Donation link: chicagobond.org/donate
Chicago Prison Outreach
The mission of Chicagoland Prison Outreach is to show God’s love to offenders and their families by teaching the Gospel, providing educational programs and biblical mentoring, and equipping them to live productive, godly lives
P.O Box 63, South Holland, IL 60473, 708.331.3301
Contact: Glenn Spoolstra, 708.267.4339, glenncpo4@gmail.com
Website: cpoministries.org
Donation link: HERE
Equal Justice Initiative
The mission of the Equal Justice Initiative is to end mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.
122 Commerce Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, 334.269.1803
Contact: contact_us@eji.org
Website: eji.org
Donation link: https://support.eji.org/give/153413/#!/donation/checkout
Feed My Starving Children
The mission of Feed My Starving Children is to feed God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit. This means reaching the hard-to-reach people and places, the “least of these.” They will be found, and they will be fed. With God’s help we will work together with organizations and ministries across the globe to end hunger. FCC has done a Packing Day at FMSC in Aurora, IL!
555 Exchange Court, Aurora, IL 60504, 630.851.0404
Contact: Beth Schmidt, bschmidt@fmsc.org or aurorainfo@fmsc.org
Website: fmsc.org
Donation link: https://www.fmsc.org/ways-to-give/other-ways-to-give
International Rescue Committee
The mission of The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic well-being, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster.
122 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10168-1289, 212.551.3000
Contact: use the website link to contact the organization
Website: rescue.org
Donation link: rescue.org/how-to-help
Jones Memorial Community Center
The mission of the Jones Memorial Community Center is to strengthen family ties, emphasize the worth of God's children, and answer a community need. It supports children, youth, families, and seniors
220 E. 15th Street, Chicago Heights, IL 60411, 708.757.5395
Contact: Cheryl Roop, Executive Director, croop@jonescenter.org
Website: jonescenter.org
Donation link: https://www.jonescenter.org/donate.html
Overflow Ministry
NOTE: Overflow Ministry is the ministry of the Korean United Methodist Church of South Suburban Chicago.
The mission of Overflow is to provide a furniture pantry, a clothing ministry, a monthly free breakfast, toy and turkey giveaways, and senior visitations.
19320 S. Kedzie Avenue, Flossmoor, IL 60422, 708.799.0001
Contact: John Harvey, Missions Coordinator, jharvey6@msn.com
Website: overflowministrychurch.com
Donation link: overflowministrychurch.com/donation-page/
Project HOOD (Helping Others Obtain Destiny)
The mission of Project Hood is to empower people with the guidance, information and tools necessary to become peacemakers, problem solvers, leaders, and entrepreneurs in their communities. They want to end violence and building communities, one neighborhood at a time.
6330 South King Drive, Chicago, IL 60637, 773.752.6055
Contact: projecthood.org/contact
Website: projecthood.org
Donation link: projecthood.org/donate
Respond Now
The mission of Respond Now is to provide immediate relief for residents of Chicago's south suburbs who are in the most need while maintaining their dignity and affording them respect. We focus on hunger, health, and housing.
1439 Emerald Avenue, Chicago Heights, IL 60422, 708.755.4357
Contact: Contact: Carl Wolf, Executive Director (extension 226)
Emily Inman, einman@respondnow.org
Website: respondnow.org/
Wish List link: respondnow.org/ways-to-give
Donation link: respondnow.org/donate-online
Restoration Ministries
The mission of Restoration Ministries is to restore hope to people while bringing lasting change to the community. Through 22 programs, they provide life-changing opportunities to at-risk and underprivileged youth, men and women with histories of addiction, and families struggling in poverty.
253 E. 159th Street, Harvey IL 60426, 708.333.3370
Contact: Karen Vrdolyak, VP of Development and Administration, karenv@restorationministries.net
Website: restorationministries.net
Wish List link: restorationministries.net/needs/
Donation link: restorationministries.net/donate/
Share Our Spare
The mission of Share Our Spare is to ensure every child in Chicago has the essentials they need to thrive in the first five years of life. We do this by collecting new and gently used baby items from those with “extras” to spare and distributing them to families living in poverty through a sustainable network of volunteers, community stakeholders, and social service agencies.
935 W. Chestnut LL 13, Chicago, IL 60642, 312.877.5884
Website: shareourspare.org
Wish List link: amazon.com/baby-reg/shareourspare-shareourspare-march-2018-chicago/FUOQXNO0KM3W
Donation link: shareourspare.org/share-your-stuff/
The mission of South Suburban Family Shelter is to provide comprehensive, coordinated services to families in which domestic violence exists without imposing any one solution.
PO Box 937, Homewood, IL 60430, 708.794.2140
Contact: Kristine Scott, Director of Development, kscott@ssfs1.org.
Website: ssfs1.org
Wish List link: ssfs1.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Updated-Wishlist.pdf
Donation Link: mygiving.net/donate/South-Suburban-Family-Shelter
Other ways to support:
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Used Cell Phones: take to SSFS office: 18137 Harwood, Homewood
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Clothes/shoes/small household items: drop off M-F at 900 Maple Ave., Homewood, call Nick Koster Koster 799-9190
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Donate used furniture: https://chicagofurniturebank.org
Students Against Violence Everywhere
The mission of SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) Promise Clubs is to provide a place for young people across the country to show their leadership, creativity and passion for protecting their friends, schools and communities from violence BEFORE it happens.
Website: Nationalsave.org
Donation link: nationalsave.org/donate/
Union Street Gallery
The mission of Union Street Gallery is to provide a variety of engaging arts experiences and opportunities that support the creative growth of artists and art appreciators adding to the cultural landscape of Chicago’s Southland.
1527 Otto Boulevard, Chicago Heights, IL 60422, 708.754.2601
Contact: LaMar R. Gayles Jr., Director
Website: unionstreetgallery.org/
Wish List and Donation buttons are on the HOME page under ABOUT: Supporting USG
Wish List link: https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/1HOMJE1G25HPB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_ws_I4c.BbPDKRNTK
Donation link: HERE