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Local shelters make urgent plea for volunteers, funding as council hears public comments
Summary
Representatives from Garden of Prayer and Gift of God shelter urged the council for volunteer support, funding ideas and recognition of their services, saying operations are largely volunteer-run and at risk of closure without more resources.
Several shelter and faith-based providers spoke during public comment Monday, telling the Kankakee City Council their volunteer-run services are strained and asking for help with volunteers and funding.
Bernice Maloney, pastor at Garden of Prayer, said the ministry operates childcare across 10 locations, houses six programs for homeless youth, runs a summer camp with 40 children and a life-skills program that produced four graduates this year. She credited cooperation with Kankakee’s junior college for helping place students and said some program participants have begun college, obtained summer jobs or secured driver’s licenses.
Minister Rosie Taylor of Speak for God Spirit Church Ministry and Pastor James Smith, who identified himself as director/owner of the Gift of God shelter, described operating shelters and drop-in services on mostly volunteer labor. Taylor said her shelter tries to stay open 24 hours and has kept people from fatal overdoses; she said the group has fed and sheltered hundreds of people. Smith told council Gift of God houses “12 women, 8 to 10 men” (he also said at other points the shelter houses 12 women and 8–10 men), runs on volunteers from November through May, and spends about $3,000–$4,000 per month when the shelter is active. He said there is no steady revenue stream and that the operation may be unable to open next season without council support.
Smith asked aldermen to encourage residents to volunteer and to identify emergency funds or grant opportunities. He also thanked police officers for defusing a recent disturbance during a food giveaway. The presenters said the shelter has helped more than 600 people during their operations and that about 50 people had later obtained housing.
Council did not take immediate action during the public-comment period but committee reports later referenced city efforts to collect input on shelter funding and to coordinate with providers. Community Development Committee materials note a shelter-funding strategy survey being distributed by ECDA and discussed sending the survey to neighboring municipalities’ trustees and board members as well as local stakeholders.
Speakers provided materials and a budget to council during remarks; council members and staff encouraged providers to pursue grant advice and volunteer recruitment through ward contacts and the city’s Community Development staff.
