Local
Willow Creek North Shore Initiatives
Our local efforts at Willow Creek North Shore are focused in two ministries: Reading Coaches and Safe Families.
Our Reading Coaches program sends volunteers to tutor at-risk children in reading once per week at Gale Academy in Rogers Park. Illiteracy and crime are closely related. The Department of Justice states, “The link between academic failure and delinquency, violence, and crime is welded to reading failure.” Over 70% of inmates in America’s prisons cannot read above a fourth grade level. You could make a big difference in a child’s life! If you would like to become a reading tutor, email Joyce.
A major initiative at Willow Creek North Shore is our partnership with Lydia Home’s Safe Families program to meet the needs of children and families in our area. In order to serve our North Shore Safe Families, we provide training and resources to bear the burden of ministry together. Learn more.
Other Serving Opportunities
We are often asked for other organizations that our attenders and families can serve with in the area. The following ministries all have individuals within our congregation that can help get you plugged into serving.
Solid Rock Carpenters (Glenview)
Solid Rock Carpenters is a group of volunteers, now more than 1,000 strong, who come together to help people in need acquire decent affordable housing. Young and old, male and female, novice and skilled, first timers and experienced have all participated in construction and rebuilding projects since Katrina in 2005, helping more than 70 families in the Gulf Coast area. For more information, including upcoming trip details and local serving opportunities, visit the SRC website.
Good News Community Kitchen (Chicago)
With the help of more than 30 partnering congregations and community organizations, Good News Community Kitchen is the highest capacity community Kitchen in the metropolitan Chicago area and the only community kitchen that serves a hot nutritious meal 365 days per year. For more information, visit the Good News Community Kitchen website. To volunteer, email Jackie Herron.
The Harvest Pantry & Clothes Closet (Evanston)
The Harvest is a “donations driven” food pantry. The pantry distributes food, differing from a soup kitchen which serves prepared meals. The Harvest serves anyone who needs to make ends meet. Patrons are allowed to come twice a month. To volunteer, email Chris.
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