Libertyville ministry helping homeless women, kids

It's easy to miss their place along busy Milwaukee Avenue.

Across from the tattoo parlor and racy lingerie shop, the office of Maristella Ministry to Homeless Women and Children sits in cramped quarters in a nondescript building in Libertyville.

Unnoticed by the scores who pass by, the organization has worked to find housing for more than 3,200 women since it began in 1998. But the need is increasing as the effects of the recession linger.

The group is hoping its first-ever fashion show planned for this weekend will bring in badly needed funds.

The event - which includes a fashion show, silent auction and luncheon - is set for Saturday, May 1, at the Country Squire Banquet hall in Grayslake.

Maristella caseworker Sonia Mares said calls from women needing help have doubled from last year.

"We've seen an increase this past year and that is related to job loss," Mares said. "It's foreclosures, loss of jobs and pay cuts. We are averaging 25 calls a day."

Mares said the immediate goal is to find shelter for the women, but the greater mission is to help them learn to live on their own.

"They need to learn how to be self-sufficient so this won't happen again," Mares said. "We help them learn to budget, repair credit reports and learn about nutrition among other needs."

With just four staff members and about 10 volunteers, the work can be daunting, Mares said.

Calls come from all over the County, but most are from Waukegan, North Chicago and Zion, Mares said.

Maristella provides women and children with short-term stays at area hotels while they work to come up with a longer-term solution to their housing needs. Job assistance, along with food and clothing, is provided.

But Maristella doesn't work alone. The nonprofit group partners with Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, the Community Action Partnership and Love INC., among others.

"We are intertwined with many other agencies in this county," Mares said. We all need to do this together."

Maristella is one of about two dozen organizations in Lake County providing some type of service to the homeless. The county each year applies for a federal grant under its Continuum of Care program.

The fashion show is one of two major fundraisers for Maristella this year. The other is a poker run held in conjunction with the Lakeshore Harley-Davidson/Buell, its HOG chapter and Buffalo Wild Wings in Vernon Hills. That happens on June 12.

Call (847) 367-5360 or visit maristella.org for more information about the ministry.