McHenry church reaches out to homeless

Submitted by Unitarian Universalist Congregation

The Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation recently launched a simple program, “Compassion for Campers,” to aid the homeless clients of PADS.

Many of them are forced to camp out while church-based shelter sites are closed from May through September.

The congregation was a founding member of PADS and housed the Wednesday site from the beginning until they moved to McHenry in January. Separation has not lessened the commitment of members to continuing to find ways to serve the homeless.

The committee will collect supplies needed to assist those who camp out survive these months with some degree of comfort and safety. High on the list of requested items are mosquito repellent, sunscreen, portable and nonperishable food items, and camping supplies. Donations of the needed items can be dropped off at the church. They will be distributed to the homeless at the PADS office on Kishwaukee Valley Road every Monday.

Lisa Jacobsen, the volunteer who is coordinating the collection and distributions, described her experience making the first delivery of the season this way: “I opened up the back of my little car, and watched about 60 pounds of food, cutlery, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, deodorant, can openers and Kleenex disappear in 20 minutes. People in the parking lot were opening cans of baked beans and eating them as they walked away. Thirteen jars of instant coffee were gone in five minutes.”

The homeless population does not magically vanish when the church shelters close. “People wonder what happens to them,” Jacobsen said. “They live in their cars if they are lucky enough to have one. They live in deserted fields. They camp illegally in quiet places under bridges and in parks. And when they are found by the police, sheriff deputies, or park officials, their camps are destroyed and everything they own is confiscated. Being homeless brings with it a number of legal violations that often result in jail time or fines.”

For a full list of requested items, contact Jacobsen at ourlocalgurl@gmail.com. There is a drop box to receive donations at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5503 Bull Valley Road in McHenry.

Call the church office at (815) 322-2464 to confirm hours when it will be open to receive donations. If you have a number of items to donate, you can email Jacobsen and arrange pickup.