The Hope Center in Albion, Illinois has a broad mission to serve the needs of their community and the surrounding towns. One of those towns is West Salem, where our Illinois Moravians worship. I had an opportunity to visit the center last month and speak with Steve Smith, the Director.
Started as a pregnancy support center, Hope has served the people of Illinois for years with various expanding ministries. Originally, the center provided “life support” for pregnant women. This support followed them through pregnancy, birth, and parenthood. On-going parenting support ensures a sustainable life for the entire family. As the ministry grew, the team at Hope recognized demand for other key services for those in need: food, clothing, and furniture.
The grant
Thanks to your generosity to the Moravian Hunger & Thirst Field of Interest Fund, the center can provide those services. Hope Center received a $10,000 grant in 2022 through the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America. That money supports the food pantry and acquires appliances needed to store food.
Follow-up
The key to success is to build relationship with the individuals who come to Hope Center for support, according to Smith. Volunteers follow up with clients twice per month. The center has a goal of no more than 20 services/distributions per client to move the client to sustainable living under their own success.
The Hope Center partners with the Midwest Food Bank to support hunger and food needs in their area of Illinois. During Covid shutdowns, the Hope Center was the main source of food for school children in Albion. They were able to maintain most of their services with very limited interruption for the entirety of the pandemic. The Hope Center provides services every Wednesday morning, every third Saturday, and at other times by appointment.
Moravians at West Salem congregation volunteer with the Hope Center and support the work of this ministry. Volunteers ask everyone coming to the Hope Center about their church home and refers them based on their needs and address. Smith and the volunteers maintain contacts with all the churches in the area and follow up on their client’s attendance or contacts. Matching people and their needs to the church that can speak to them is critical.
