LOVE Christian Clearinghouse helping those in need
Sometimes in an emergency, it's obvious who to call for help. Your house is on fire, you call 9-1-1 and they dispatch firefighters.
But sometimes, you just don't know where to turn to get the help that will see you through a crisis.
LOVE Christian Clearinghouse just might be the answer, especially if the question is about surviving unexpected financial trouble.
The organization, supported by more than 90 churches in eastern DuPage County, aims to help those having trouble making ends meet. If someone needs short-term help - perhaps to pay a one-time bill - the clearinghouse might offer money to bridge the temporary gap. If a person has a more lasting issue - a job loss or a medical issue - volunteers will wade through the region's service agencies to find programs that will see the person through tough times and help him get back on his feet.
Church Relations Director Ada Hayes discusses the work done by the Clarendon Hills-based organization, whose member churches represent 25 denominations in 16 communities including Addison, Bensenville, Lisle, Lombard, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Villa Park and Wood Dale.
Q. What is your mission?
A. Our mission is to work in partnership with our member churches to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ.
Q. How do you work toward accomplishing that goal?
A. We work in partnership with local churches to serve people in need of temporary financial assistance for rent, car repair and utility bills. We also provide information (through our database) of other service agencies within the communities for help.
Q. Who do you serve?
A. We serve the working poor, people with low-income jobs and the disabled in 18 towns in Southeastern DuPage County.
Q. When and why did the clearinghouse start? How has it grown?
A. We began in 1983 with only four member churches. The goal was to have churches and individuals band together to help the needy and to assist pastors in this important work. This group has grown to more than 90 member churches and many individual donors. LOVE Christian Clearinghouse was incorporated as a 501(c) 3 organization in 1985.
Q. What kind of successes have you had?
A. Through donations, LOVE Christian Clearinghouse has been able to distribute more than $100,000 to assist the working poor in 2008.
Q. What challenges does the clearinghouse face?
A. Due to the economy, our calls for help have increased. Continued and increased funding are extremely important in order for us to serve the needy in our community.
Volunteers are the backbone of our organization and we need people to volunteer.
Q. What do you wish the community at large knew about the organization?
A. We have been around for more than 25 years. We are a telephone ministry and receive more than 300 calls per month for assistance.
Q. What would surprise most people if they spent a week volunteering?
A. They might be surprised to receive calls from the town they live in or from very affluent communities.
Q. How can readers get involved?
A. We are looking for volunteers to man the phones or do clerical work at our call-in center. Volunteers work three hours a week, 9 a.m. to noon weekdays or 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. To volunteer, call Kathy Mills at (630) 512-8669 or Ada Hayes at (630) 512-8673.
We also are looking for donations, and for a group, business or individual to sponsor a fundraiser in 2009. To sponsor an event, call Ada Hayes, at (630) 512-8673 or e-mail director@love-cc.org.
To join our mailing list for newsletters, etc., call (630) 512-8673 or (630) 512-8669 or e-mail coordinator@love-cc.org
Vital statistics
Number of requests for help per month: 300-plus calls requesting assistance
Annual budget: $200,000
Sources of funding: Churches, individuals, corporations, grants
Number of employees: Two part-time
Number of volunteers: 20 telephone and clerical volunteers, 10 board members
Wish list: New computer system, sponsor for a fundraiser, continued and increased funding
To donate
Send checks payable to LOVE Christian Clearinghouse to P.O. Box 50, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514
To volunteer
Call: (630) 512-8669 or (630) 512-8673
E-mail: coordinator@love-cc.org or director@love-cc.org
General information
Client assistance: (630) 512-8665
Web site: love-cc.org