Lazarus House
Hope Haven
Crisis Pregnancy Center
Wayside Cross Ministries
Lazarus House opened its doors in June of
1997, offering safe shelter, food and referrals to people in need who
were connected to St. Charles. Prior to 1997, there was no emergency
shelter in the Tri Cities, and shelters in neighboring communities all
closed in the summer. That first year we moved from church to church and
operated in the summer only.
In 1998 we were offered permanent space at the Free Methodist Church in
downtown St. Charles, and received our first grant through Kane County’s
Community Development Block Grant program, which enabled us to hire our
first full time employee. Having these pieces in place, we made the
decision to keep our doors open year round.
Today we are the only emergency shelter in Kane or Du Page county that
is open year round. Our emergency shelter has 34 beds and serve those
connected to St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, and the Kaneland school
districts. In addition to providing safe shelter, food, personal hygiene
items and shower and laundry facilities, we also are able to offer case
management, support services and referrals to our neighbors in need. We
now have twelve full time and five part time staff including certified
addictions and mental health counselors.
We have a strong commitment not only to provide services to those who
are homeless, but also to provide services to those at risk of becoming
homeless so that they don’t lose their housing. Some of the specialized
services we provide are GED and employment assistance, weekly 12-step
meetings that are open to the community, assistance with start up
housing costs, and optional Bible study.
In 2002 we added some space to our building which gave us more
bathrooms, and a playroom for our children. In 2003 we opened our Center
for Transitional Living which features 12 mini-apartments and a large
group/training room. Our emergency guests who qualify can live in
transitional housing for up to two years, providing ample opportunity to
work with their case manager, addressing the issues that caused them to
become homeless.
As you can see, God has done amazing things in just a few years. How
grateful we are for this awesome opportunity to serve. Let us continue
to look to Him for guidance as we work together to provide our neighbors
in need a hand up, not a hand out. To God be the glory!
LAZARUS HOUSE MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to provide hospitality, food, safe shelter, and support
services to persons connected to our community who are homeless or in
need. May all who enter our doors feel the love of Jesus.
To learn more about Lazarus
House click here to connect to their website
Lazarus House
Hope Haven
Crisis Pregnancy Center
Wayside Cross Ministries
