Housing Forward

Housing Forward

In its 30-year history, Housing Forward, located in Maywood, IL, has evolved from just providing emergency overnight shelter to local homeless people, to providing a wide range of permanent solutions to prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of homelessness. Members of St. Christopher’s have actively worked with Housing Forward for almost its entire history. In the early years, parishioners prepared dinners in the church kitchen, to be brought to one of the overnight shelters. We also provided lunches and breakfasts. Individual parishioners also helped staff overnight shelters at other locations.

For about a decade prior to the pandemic, St. Christopher’s opened its doors three Fridays each month as an overnight shelter. A regular rota of parishioners pitched in to make and serve meals, check in guests, and clean the shelter space (the parish hall) after the guests left.

Since the pandemic, St. Christopher’s support of Housing Forward’s housing programs has become more ad hoc and individual. Families occasionally spend time at church Sunday morning preparing and packaging lunches. Individual parishioners regularly provide meals to both of Housing Forward’s Oak Park sites.

Over the years, Housing Forward has also been the recipient of special offerings from St. C’s, like from the collection at Lessons and Carols.

For information about this ministry, contact us at [email protected]