Every year on October 1 a contingency of nine local churches open their doors to help homeless individuals in McHenry County. These churches, called PADS Church Sites, rotate their support, providing emergency shelter and a warm meal through the cold winter months.
In the past three years McHenry County PADS homeless services, a program of Pioneer Center for Human Services, has witnessed a 48% increase in the number of individuals it serves. Just last year, there was a 27% increase in the number of veterans needing services.
To make this community-based project work, it takes hundreds of volunteers from the towns that make up McHenry County donating a couple of hours one night a week. Currently, five of the church sites have urgent volunteer needs. All volunteer needs are within the hours of 7:00 pm – 7:00 am. If you would like to help at one of the sites listed below, contact the church directly at the number or email provided.
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Crystal Lake
Mondays, between 3:00-7:00 am
Contact Bob Dorn at [email protected]
St.’s Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Cary
Mondays, 11:00 pm-3:00 am shift, 3:00-5:00 am shift and 5:00-7:00 am shift
Some volunteers like to combine the last 2 shifts to make it 3:00-7:00 am. These shifts are lacking for mostly the 3rd, 4th and 5th weeks of each month. The clean up crew starts at 7:00 or 7:30 am Tuesday morning. We can always use subs for all shifts, for last minute cancellations.
Contact [email protected] or (847) 516-2636
Redeemer Lutheran Church, Woodstock
Wednesdays, all shifts need help
Contact [email protected]
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Richmond
Thursdays, need 2 volunteers on the 4th Thursday for clean-up from 5:00-7:00 am and 1or 2 volunteers for the 11:00 pm-3:00 am shift
Christian Fellowship Church, Crystal Lake
Needs help with clean up at 7:00 am on Saturday mornings.
Contact [email protected] or (815) 459.9473
