Overnite Center & Outreach Ministries Update

The  OverNite Center (previously "Drop-In") is now open for nightly shelter. We temporarily closed on June 1st for a “Summer Refresh” to convert the garage into a space for women, install a new bathroom and shower, refit HVAC, and do general repairs and deep cleaning. 

We also added a lobby to the Outreach Ministries building to provide security space for better check-in procedures, built storage cubicles for every guest, and added a holding area for emergencies. 

Our Outreach Ministries building and services remained open throughout the project and we continued to deliver the highest quality care to all those who came. This included finding placement and/or permanent housing for more than 140 individuals who were staying at our overnight facility, fulfilling our ultimate goal of moving people “from homeless to housing.”

With the holidays rapidly approaching, we write this letter with a grateful heart. Grateful for generous people like you who have supported our efforts to serve the poor throughout the past year. And it has been a busy and productive time for St. Vincent de Paul. We served more than 100,000 meals, provided 15,395 nights of overnight shelter, assisted  6,250 individual/ families with rent, utility, and other direct financial aid through our Help Center, provided more than 10,000 “Guest Services” (showers, clothing, laundry), provided $36,200 in bus passes for transportation to new employment, and assisted more than 150 people daily through our Outreach Ministry Center with transportation, employment related help, pantry food, and more. 

God ‘s hand was very visible as we successfully provided “homeless to housing” for 144 individuals/families before suspending our overnight services for a major summer renovation and 90% have remained housed. This renovation project allowed us to convert the garage to provide more sleeping space for women and an added a shower and bathroom. We also built cubicles to provide all overnight guests with a secure place to store belongings, upgraded electrical service, and did overall maintenance and deep cleaning. A large lobby area has been added to the main building to accommodate improved security and flow for everyone entering the facility. And we were able to accomplish all this because of your prayers and financial support. 

When we opened the OverNite Center in December 2019, we anticipated 35-45 homeless per night. However, the crisis of those in need with nowhere to go has been much worse and continues to grow. We now provide shelter to more than double those numbers, many of them are women and children. It is a financial burden, but putting our trust in Divine Providence, we move forward and know what we must do:  continue to serve the poor and the marginalized. 

We thank you for your ongoing and heartfelt support of this ministry and ask continued support during this upcoming Holiday Season. An envelope is enclosed for your convenience and checks can be payable to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Or you can donate online at https://svdpsouthil.org/monetary-donations.  A monthly donation would be so valuable if you are able, and when planning your will please consider adding us as a beneficiary.

Wishing you a joyous and blessed holiday season!

May God bless you and your loved ones in a special way this Christmas and all throughout the new year!

May your Christmas season be touched with God’s blessings and peace!