Spanish-language interpreters to help asylum-seekers at the closet on Wednesdays between 9 a.m.Chrysostom’s networks and neighbors have responded generously to the need in its midst, the parish is still seeking several kinds of help, Kohlbeck said. “Each Wednesday feels like Christmas morning,” he said. The items were popular, and other toys have been too, as children have an opportunity to choose a gift for themselves. One neighbor who had previously given clothing noticed a sale on plush pink pig stuffies at a local store and bought 15 to donate. Will Bouvel, associate rector, said the closet is also a place of real happiness for young asylum-seekers. “They seem to feel that they are treated in a loving way that is building relationships,” she said. Kohlbeck said its absence of bureaucracy helps make the closet attractive to asylum-seekers, as does an atmosphere of trust that has quickly grown up around the ministry. Now tables spill out to adjoining rooms, and piles of clothes grow and shrink with donations coming in even during the Wednesday sessions. The church has arranged it all in a room quickly filled to the brim. Some asylum-seekers being housed nearby come week after week seeking good quality adult clothing, baby clothes, toys and housewares. “We don’t always know how a donation has found its way to us.” “It’s all rather Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” Kohlbeck said. Donations by the bagful began appearing throughout the day as news of the asylum-seekers’ needs spread, and church staff scrambled to store the growing offerings.
Chrysostom’s is a part has also rallied behind the effort. Chicago Help Initiative has assigned a social worker to the dinners to train St.
James Cathedral, Chicago Sinai Congregation and First St. “Energies are synergizing,” Kohlbeck said, as she ticked through a list of connections to friends and neighbors who had recently supported the ministry, including St. Chrysostom’s has a vigorous network of volunteers and institutional supporters to draw upon. Chrys’s Closet on Wednesdays grew, and what the parish had thought might be a monthly ministry quickly became a weekly one. “We ended up being the only church to do this, and it grew organically from one small room to the use of the gym this summer, filled with clothes, cribs, toys, dressers, and other furniture,” said Liz Kohlbeck, who leads the feeding ministries.Īs word of the parish’s efforts circulated among asylum-seekers, the crowds at what became known as St. Fraser, executive director of Chicago Help Initiative, to take part with other faith communities in creating a clothes closet. The parish has always sustained feeding ministries, but its once-small clothing ministry became something akin to a department store this spring when the parish responded to a suggestion from Douglas B. Chrysostom’s, Chicago is one of those places. In the meantime, they are finding the necessities of life where they can, and St. law, they are not permitted to seek work for months, and the city is struggling to find homes for them. The asylum-seekers who arrive in Chicago, Illinois, often step off the buses that carried them from Texas with little more than the clothes they are wearing. Additionally, items for their dresser tops or desks, and jewelry.A woman finds a blouse at the St. The items below are the items that we are the very lowest on but we take all toy items year round.Ĭrafts or play things for girls ages 8 and up are always more in demand since items for younger children come in more often.Ĭrafts or science kits, legos (especially lego people) or educational toys, especially for boys age 7 and up are always welcomed. Please make sure all parts and pieces are included if pre-owned. We accept toys for all ages in great condition or new.
Reinforced filament packing tape (used to seal boxes mailed to kids living too far away to come) Shipping boxes sizes 18x18x24 and 18x18x16Īrm&Hammer Laundry soap-liquid (no powder, please)ġ3 gallon draw string trash bags (not flex or scented, please) Hair items: scrunchies, barrettes, clips, elastics Girls short sleeve undershirts sizes 6 through 12. Summer Pajamas - boys and girls, sizes 5 and upīoys short sleeve shirts in sizes 5 through boys 18.
0 kommentar(er)
