If only it were so simple as going out and getting a job.  For those who say that it's that simple, I wonder if they've ever met a homeless person, an alcoholic, someone with mental illness, or an immigrant? If the quote by Saotome is right, then in order to have meaning in life, we must have others. In fact, I would say in order to be healthy and (ironically) self-sufficient, human beings must have others. At the Ministry, I would say that being alone is the single determinant factor behind all of the disease, desolation, and misery that I see. Like wounded tom cats, many of them refuse the help of others and many just don't know how or where to find others. Since the beginning, the Ministry has taken care of basic needs like food, but it has done so in a way that ensures that people find a family and they find love in the process. All of our programming is based on this premise. Whether it be the Pastor, Parish Nurse, Substance Abuse Counselor, Food Pantry Coordinator, Latino Outreach Coordinator, Lobby Coordinator, or Lutheran Volunteer Corps position, in technical terms they are case managers. But we like to call them community builders. Get involved  by building community  in the Martha Dinners,  walking or sponsoring someone in the Hunger walk or Crop Walk, participating in the Ministry Drive Days, or going to the Fashion Show.  See you there!

Pastor Bob Lesher Jr.
Executive Director

Teaching
$200  Supports three months of ESL programming for one member twice weekly for our Latino Women's Group.
$1500 Sponsors a Latino child (ages 7-13)  in the after school Juntos program for the whole year.

Healing
$11 Supports a motivational interview with our substance abuse counselor.
$35 Provides one person access to pastoral counseling and a chance to heal.
$140 Join the One Ton Club- $140 buys a ton of food from the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Outreach
$15 Supports holiday programming for 1 of our 500 community members that receive gifts, holiday cookies, holiday dinners and love.
$25 Supports a GROW member (support group for the mentally ill) going to Summer Camp. 
$110 Supports one half day running the Drop In Center serving 35-40 people with shelter, access to our case managers, and coffee and snacks (donated by local retailers).
$400 Senior B-Day Lunch makes it possible for us to make a special day for each of the participants in our Senior 'Our Gang'  program.
$1400 A week supports our intensive case managed Food Pantry program for 50 individuals and families.