Chicago Mission Sub-committee

Contact moderator@firstchurchlf.org

Summary:  The Chicago Mission Sub-Committee aids organizations that provide basic needs and education to needy people in the Chicago area.  The Chicago Mission Sub-Committee allocates First Presbyterian Church Lake Forest budgeted funds, as well as money earned on funds invested through the Chicago Community Trust.

Current Focus:  Our focus agencies are Hope Church and the Ecumenical Night Ministry. Hope Church will identify specific needs, expected to include their summer youth program. For Night Ministry, we will continue to offer our services on specific nights throughout the year.

Ministry Opportunities.  Contact moderator@firstchurchlf.org  

Additional support is offered through the following areas:

EDUCATION
Chicago Subcommittee of Mission supports University Christian Ministries, which provides a resource center for Christian worship, study and fellowship at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL), University of Chicago (Chicago, IL), and the University of Illinois, Chicago.

HEALTH CARE
The Chicago Subcommittee of Mission supports the efforts of Advocate Health Care, a non-for-profit, integrated health care system, and it’s Parish Nurse Ministry.

Advocate’s mission is “to meet the health care needs of individuals, families and communities through a holistic philosophy rooted in our fundamental understanding of human beings as created in the image of God”. 

HELP FOR THE HOMELESS/HUNGER RELIEF
The Chicago Subcommittee of Mission supports the anti-hunger efforts of several local agencies:

Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation provides emergency services to people who are need meals.

Interfaith Council for the Homeless provides direct services to the homeless in Chicago, including education and advocacy.

Ecumenical Night Ministry  offers hospitality, basic health care, and pastoral care to the homeless or runaway youth on the streets of Chicago’s North side, six nights a week, 52 weeks a year.

Sarah’s Circle offers daytime supportive services in a welcoming, safe refuge for women in Chicago who are homeless, or at risk of being homeless.  The goal of Sarah’s Circle is to end homelessness by providing options, services, and advocacy. 

HOPE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church, Lake Forest is in a covenant relationship with Hope Presbyterian Church, Chicago and the Presbytery of Chicago to provide mutual support. 

This support has included funding for their summer youth program and a church van, mutual exchange of choirs and preaching, and assistance with our spring rummage sale. 

NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSES
The Chicago Subcommittee of Mission supports five neighborhood houses, which aid low-income and needy residents of their communities.

Association House provides education and job training programs, including Head Start and an alternative high school program, in the West Town area of Chicago.  They serve 1500 persons daily in this predominantly Latino community.

Casa Central is the largest Hispanic social service agency in the Midwest, targeting the needs of children, youth, families and the elderly throughout Chicago. Casa Central provides a network of 25 bilingual/bicultural social service programs, offered through 10 different facilities.

Christopher House offers childcare, after school activities and family programs to residents of Chicago’s north side.  Christopher House serves more than 3,000 children and families a year.

Erie Neighborhood House provides social service and educational programs to more than 7,900 residents of the West Town community of Chicago.

Firman Neighborhood House, located on Chicago’s near southwest side, offers family counseling, crisis intervention programs and emergency services.