From the heart
Inner City Mission 720 N. 7th Street • 217-525-3940 [email protected]
Inner City Mission was established in 1984 to serve homeless women, children and families in the capital area. The mission provides a residential housing program that allows individuals to move from a place of chaos to joy and peace. Currently serving 35 homeless people, the mission is forced daily to turn away people in need due to lack of space. ICM is exploring options to remodel/update the facility.
Wish list:
• New roof for shelter facility
• New roof for administrative facility
• One-time or ongoing financial support
• Gift cards to buy supplies
• Canned goods
Little Angels Child Care Center 101 East Allen
Little Angels Child Care Center is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide quality care to children ages preschool to five years old and ensure all children are prepared for kindergarten. Little Angels has been in operation since 1995 serving low-income families with teen parents, working parents or parents pursuing higher education and training.
Wish list:
• Pampers
• Wipes
• Similac baby formula
• Hats • Gloves
• Tennis shoes
• Sweat shirts
• Sweat pants
• Coats
MERCY Communities Donation Locations: House - 1111 So. 19th Street, • 744-1126 Furniture Store - 1650 Wabash • 787-7488
Since 1999 M.E.R.C.Y. Communities has been providing housing and supportive services to foster the independence of homeless and at-risk families with dependent children.
Wish list:
• Mentors to guide, support and encourage our families
• Church, business or civic groups to “Adopt an Apartment,” i.e. to furnish a designated apartment each time a new family moves into it
• Groups to provide snacks and supplies for family holiday parties and family dinners
• Tutors – computer literacy, academic subjects, GED prep • Respite child care providers Monday or Thursday evening 6 to 7 p.m.
• Volunteers to transport participants for special events, to doctor appointments, etc.
• Volunteers to assist with fundraisers or special events
• Church, business or civic groups to assist with seasonal yard and building work
• Used cars for program participants • Used furniture and household goods
• Volunteers to help with sales, furniture staging, special projects at MERCY Communities Furniture Store
Baby/children supplies:
• Crib and toddler beds and linens
• Disposable diapers and pull-ups (all sizes)
• Diaper rash ointments/diaper wipes
• Baby wash, shampoo, lotion
• Baby wash cloths/towels
• Crib sheets/mattress pads/ blankets
• Sippy cups
• High chairs, swings, mobiles, stimulating activity equipment
• Children’s activity items: crayons, washable paints, markers, craft idea books, board games, DVDs, toys appropriate for infancy through age 18
Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery 1011 N. 7th St., 525-6800 Donations accepted M-F 8am-4pm
Started in 1989 with a mission to prevent child abuse and neglect, the Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery provides free emergency, temporary care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for children from birth through age 6, who may be at risk of abuse or neglect or whose parents are experiencing some type of crisis. In addition to crisis care, the nursery offers continuing support to families, in-home visits, crisis counseling, parenting classes and referrals to other agencies.
Wish list:
• Size 4 and 5 diapers
• Canned fruit/fruit cups
• Canned vegetables
• Copy paper
• Tempera paint
• Kitchen trash bags
• Liquid dishwasher detergent
• Laundry detergent
• Toilet paper
• Light bulbs
• DVD player
• VCR player
• Liquid Lysol
• Juicy Juice
• Gift cards to supply stores
• Volunteers!
Phoenix Center 109 E. Lawrence Avenue, 217-553-6360/217-546-6360
The Phoenix Center has been a part of the Springfield community since 2001. Initially the center was formed as a meeting place for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning) youth and young adults. Over the years the programming has expanded to include free HIV testing, prevention education, and outreach – supportive transitional housing for homeless men and women who are HIV positive, individual and group counseling for those who are HIV positive, and the center is Central Illinois’ LGBTQ community center, where the youth and young adult groups are still meeting as well as other groups, classes and events.
Wish list:
• HIV housing clients
• Youth group
• Personal hygiene products for men and women
• Board games / video games
• Laundry soap • Snacks
• Bath and kitchen towels
• Art supplies
• Paper towels and toilet paper
• Leaders for art projects
• Disposable razors
• Videos and books for residents
• Basic, inexpensive DVD players for residents
• Nonperishable food items
• Copier paper
• Silverware (forks, knives, spoons)
• Stamps
• Mini fridges (for medication)
• Yard waste bags and stickers
• Toys (3-5-year-olds)
• Gloves and hats
• Volunteers to help with painting client rooms and yard work