‘Tis the season for giving, and none are so much in need as those without safe, warm homes to sleep in.
That’s why two local organizations — The Dwelling Place and Crosspoint Human Services — are working hard to fill the gap for the homeless this year as the Danville Rescue Mission continues work toward its plan to open the shelters as soon as possible.
The Dwelling Place began in 2017 when five board members with a passion for helping the homeless came together to assist those in need in Vermilion County, according to Board Member Cheryl Clapp.
“There are three areas that we focus on,” Clapp said. “We have the essential hygiene pantry which serves hygiene products to the homeless and schools in our area. Then we have The Dwelling Place Day Center, which is open on Mondays and Fridays.”
The day center provides people in need a place to rest and refresh. Visitors have access to showers and laundry facilities.
“Just because you’re homeless, does not mean that you don’t want to take care of yourselves, you know, your personal hygiene, your clothing,” said Tamera Forthenberry, a member of the Board. “So, with this kind of support there, we’re available to provide those needs to those that are actually in need of them.”
The organization also serves hot lunches on Mondays and Fridays and provides take-away sack lunches Tuesday through Thursday to those in need.
Lastly, the organization owns three homes for housing homeless families — two, Immanuel House and Bethlehem House, that are in working order and a third is under renovation.
Those in need first must pass an application process before taking up residence in one of the homes. The goal of these homes is to provide those in need with a temporary safe space to re-build their lives, as well as providing some basic essentials.
“Our shelters are designed to house families to help them to become self-sufficient,” Forthenberry said. “To help them save money, to move themselves up so that they’re able to become self-sufficient.”
The help doesn’t end there. Once residents are established and able to move out on their own, the organization helps them to look for housing and employment, Forthenberry said.
The shelters are intended for families, she said, but the organization “recognizes the different makeup of families.”
Crosspoint Human Services’ Domestic Violence Shelter provides a safe haven for women and children who are escaping domestic violence.
Survivors are given “comprehensive and supportive services for women and their minor children who are experiencing homelessness for up to one year,” according to the organization’s website.
Both of these organizations depend on donations and assistance from the community to keep running.
“We are not able to actually purchase these things so donations are what we can contribute back to those that are in need,” Forthenberry said.
In October, the Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office hosted its 7th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Supply Drive. Items were collected to benefit both Crosspoint Domestic Violence Shelter and The Dwelling Place.
Donation boxes were hosted by community partners, 112 Wine & Coffee Shoppe in Hoopeston and Mad Goat Coffee in Danville. New to the Supply Drive this year were partnerships with Bismarck-Henning Rossville-Alvin Cooperative High School, Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School and Salt Fork High School.
The State’s Attorney’s Office had the opportunity to collect donations at football games of the participating schools. Notable donations were also collected by the Hoopeston Area Women Making a Difference Organization, Maple Grade School in Hoopeston, and employees of Hyster-Yale Group in Danville.
Items collected this year included personal care items, cleaning supplies and non-perishable food items. Donations were delivered to Crosspoint Domestic Violence Shelter and The Dwelling Place on Nov. 6.
“The generosity of our community this year has been inspiring. We are grateful to everyone who donated and helped raise awareness about the critical issue of domestic violence,” State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy said.
“Each year domestic violence affects many families, often leaving victims homeless. Crosspoint Domestic Violence Shelter and The Dwelling Place play a vital role in offering safe spaces in order for victims to break away from abuse,” Lacy said.
As people head to shopping centers and online to start their holiday shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, community members have another opportunity to give on Giving Tuesday — Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Giving Tuesday is an international day of giving. There is even a global generosity movement of the same name, one that aims to encourage “radical generosity” — the idea that “the suffering of others should be as intolerable to us as our own suffering,” according to the group’s website.
Those interested in supporting The Dwelling Place can donate at https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/givingtuesday-3.
Those who wish to support Crosspoint’s Domestic Violence shelter may donate at their website, crosspointhumanservices.org.