July 19, 2022 – Over half of the funding for God’s Shelter of Love, the primary shelters for women and children in Decatur, is in jeopardy as Blessingdale’s Thrift Store is in need of a new HVAC system to safely operate. God’s Shelter of Love is calling on the community for support as Blessingdale’s is more than just a store – it provides more than 55% of the funding needed to keep women and children safely sheltered 365 days a year in Decatur.
“Without our services, many of these women and children would be left vulnerable on the street, and we cannot as a community let that happen,” says their board president. “The reality is that supporting Blessingdale’s means women and children in Decatur sleep safely every night.”
The HVAC unit at Blessingdale’s couldn’t handle this June’s heatwave and failed. With the unit’s age and extensive damage, it costs $57,000 to be replaced.
The mission of God’s Shelter of Love is to bring hope to families by providing a Christ-centered environment promoting healing, restoration, independence, and self-sufficiency. It not only offers a safe place to stay, but also food and clothing, referrals to other agencies, and programs that positively impact people’s lives. The organization offers a nightly emergency shelter that sleeps 16 including a family room, as well as a long-term shelter for those ready to make tangible steps to self-sufficiency.
An alarming increase in the number of women with children who are seeking shelter over the past year means support is more crucial than ever. Recent inflation in not only food and gas but also rent has only heightened the need.
“We recently housed six children with one mother among other residents,” says Executive Director Dan Watkins. “We are at capacity most nights, and don’t see that improving anytime soon. We are asking the community to walk beside us in caring for these otherwise vulnerable women and children. This revenue source is essential to our survival.”
God’s Shelter of Love is supported through individual donations and private funding, but the majority of the shelter’s operating revenue is received from the profits of Blessingdale’s Thrift Store, located at 345 W Eldorado St, Decatur, IL 62522. If you would like to donate, visit: https://www.godshelteroflove.com/donate or call 217-422-2790 for more information.
God’s Shelter of Love provides emergency shelter, case management resources, and hope to women and children.
It currently operates the two primary shelters for women and children in Macon County: Careage House and God’s Shelter of Love.
The overnight emergency shelter, Careage House, has 16 beds and women and children seeking shelter arrive in the evening and leave in the morning. This is a low-barrier shelter with little to no requirements for entry.
Women (and their children) who show commitment to being substance-free and investing in themselves long-term are eligible to stay at God’s Shelter of Love, a 24-hour shelter. While staying at God’s Shelter of Love, guests have their own room but share community spaces including a kitchen, dining room, living room, and porch. The organization also works extensively with residents including assisting with employment/resumes, signing them up for long-term assistance, finding childcare/parenting resources, facilitating mental health evaluation, providing education, and setting them up with housing. The goal is for these women and children to find safe, affordable housing and also the support system they need to begin a successful step forward in their life’s journey.
