Street Level Ministries: Taking action to help the homeless

On the day Laura Cox, co-CEO of the newly-formed Street Level Ministries, graduated high school, her mother gave her an ultimatum: find a job in two weeks or get out.

"I looked for a job," she recalled. "It was summertime and all the kids were out and it was hard to find a job. I didn't find anything, so she kicked me out."

Thus, Cox became part of the more than 3.5 million people who find themselves without shelter annually in America - 1.7 million of whom are teenagers, according to government figures.

Laura's husband and co-CEO, Al, experienced a brief stint of homelessness as a young person as well when, according to Al, his family was illegally evicted from a home in Dundee. The family struggled to pay for hotels and food for nine weeks, fearful of depleting their income.

"It was nine weeks of nothing but stress," he said.

Now both are in a position to help those in need and are looking for volunteers and donations to lend a helping hand to the people whose predicament they have both experienced.

For Al, the impetus for the ministry occurred a few years ago when he heard of a local homeless man who was murdered with a fire extinguisher.

"I didn't start on it right away because a lot of us have a concern and then kind of wander," he said.

More recently, as Al was participating in his church's daily breakfast offering for the homeless, he made a decision.

"I was really seeing the pain in their eyes, the lack of needs. I just finally decided, they need to be able to contact people around the clock, if they had needs," he said. "I've decided that it's time to take action and help them."

The Coxes are focusing on what they call "small needs" with a Christmas Eve event called Street Level Ministries Christmas Card Project. Although the venue is not yet booked, they hope to treat the homeless to a couple of hours out of the weather, with hot chocolate, coffee and gifts that constitute the basics of life for most people.

"Just things that they need to make it on the streets," Al said.

Among the items suggested are travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, Colgate mouthwash, toothbrushes, pocket-size combs, hand and feet warmers, socks, and $5 McDonald's gift cards.

Warm clothing and blankets are also needed.

One of the most important components Street Level Ministries currently lacks are volunteers to perform such tasks as sorting through and delivering donations from donors. However, the Coxes are aware that some people are reluctant to work with the homeless.

"Not everybody sees homeless as should they be; as people, people in more need than the rest of us," Al said. "I've been around them now for three or four months. There's nothing to be afraid of. Most of the homeless people in Elgin are just everyday people."

"Everyday" is an apt description of the life of a homeless person, according to Laura, who spent between nine months to a year of her life making it from night to night in shelters in Joliet and Arizona.

"There was a mission that was in downtown Joliet and I stayed there for a month or so. Just like the other shelters around, they are only there from about 7 p.m. at night till 7 a.m. in the morning. You had to sign up to sleep there at night. If you weren't there by a certain time to do so, you're just out of luck," she remembered.

As a young person on her own, she faced danger, but Laura observed that everyone on the street faces daily trouble, if not violence, then the danger of winter.

"So that's why we're trying to get people to advocate for them," she said.

"If people that have a home and money would put themselves in the homeless person's shoes, they'd be going from a nice warm or cool house to a metal bench where they have to fight to get food," Laura said.

"We've had bad winters back to back," Al added. "Bring Christmas back to them, even for a couple hours, to give them a feeling that they are cared for."

For details, visit Street Level Ministries on Facebook or call (224) 220-6649.

How you can help Street Level Ministries

What: Street Level Ministries' Operation Christmas Card is collecting donations for the homeless. Items needed include travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, Colgate mouthwash, toothbrushes, pocket-size combs, hand and feet warmers, socks, $5 McDonald's gift cards, warm clothing and blankets.

When and where: United Methodist Church at 216 E. Highland Ave., Elgin, will accept donations at the Highland entrance from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays. Ring the bell to be let in. Drop off ends Nov. 30.

Details: Visit Street Level Ministries on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Street-Level-Ministries-1051780614832501/?fref=nf">Facebook</a> or call (224) 220-6649.