Transitional housing at First Pres. was begun in 1995, as a result of the special mission task force to identify specific areas of interest for "hands on" ministry. Our goal is to provide support and counsel to help families progress from homelessness to self sufficiency.

Using donations from the church's annual mission budget, your Transitional Housing Team provides the financial resources for housing, furnishings, transportation, schooling (if necessary) and mentoring for each of our clients. Bridge Communities, Inc . (www.glen-ellyn.com/bridge/) is our partner in this endeavor. They work with twenty-two churches and organizations in the area to provide assistance on housing, mentor training, tutors for children, job opportunities and case workers.

Our program incurs few costs for household furnishings and/or automobiles, thanks to the generosity of our church members. Over fifty donors have responded to requests for these items over the past five years.

Currently, we have three clients, including one in the small house on Madison Street. Each of these clients is a single mother with one to three children. During the past five and one-half years the program has been active at our church, we have supported eight families and involved fourteen members of the congregation - as mentors, providing furnishings and transportation or program direction.

Since two mentors are assigned to a family, there is always a need in this area and we welcome those who feel called.

For more information on this ministry, please contact Gwen Henry, Jean Crane, Chet Henry, Cerena Fischer or Rufus Robbins.