Share the Plate

This month, The Community Crisis Center is the chosen recipient of our Share The Plate donations.  I talked to Kim Cecil, a long-time friend and former member of UUCE, who has just moved back to Elgin to accept a position on the staff of CCC as Director of Client Services.

The Community Crisis Center, located in Elgin, was founded by a group of dedicated volunteers to meet the needs of individuals and families impacted by crisis and violence in the state of Illinois.  Employees provide comprehensive services to those suffering from domestic violence, sexual assault, or economic/ financial difficulties. 

 From 1975 to 1987, the Crisis Center was located in an historic Victorian Elgin home, which sheltered 14 people each night. In October 1987 the Community Crisis Center moved to their current location,  the former Franklin Elementary School in Elgin’s Gifford Park neighborhood. Prior to the Covid pandemic, they sheltered 40 clients at a time.  Due to statewide public health restrictions, their current live-in population is restricted to 20.  Nonetheless, over 60 employees continue to provide services 24-hours a day, 7 days a week to both sheltered and community clients.

The Center offers specialist training to both professionals and volunteers. Currently, they are seeking Hospital Advocates to respond to local hospitals when victims of domestic violence and sexual assault present there for treatment in the wake of an emergent situation. Training will be provided during evenings and Saturdays in the Spring; dates and times to be announced. Please contact Melissa Owens at 847-697-2380 for more information and to see if this volunteer opportunity is a good fit for you.

All human service agencies have struggled during the pandemic and our help has an even  greater than usual impact.  UUCE can help by donating to Share The Plate this month, by considering a volunteer role they could play at the Center, and by shopping for items needed by CCC clients.

Here’s a  list of most wanted items:

–food containers with lids

–plastic wrap and aluminum foil

–gatorade powder or other drink mix powder

–size 6 and 7 diapers

–new women’s khakis, jeans, sweats in sizes 10 and up.

–hair care products specifically for black women with natural hair (for culturally-appropriate toiletry kits, ie. Shampoo, conditioner, and hair picks)

(All items must be new.) Bring your purchases to the church parking lot on the fourth Sunday of February (2/27) and we’ll collect them, and take them directly to the Crisis Center.

Elizabeth Olson

“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.… there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” Fred Rogers