Serving Our Neighbors in Need
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Serving Our Neighbors in Need
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Overnite Center & Outreach Ministries Update
February 11, 2023
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.”
OverNite Numbers for First 2.5 years (30 Months) of Service to the Homeless from December 2019 to June 2022.
Lodging
Average homeless staying in the OverNite Center each night: 55 people
55 people x 900 nights = 49,500 individual night stays
49,500 individual night stays at $60 average motel rate = $2,970,000
$2,970,000 value of lodging provided at the Center for the first 30 months (2.5 years). (approximate)
Meals
3 meals per day x 900 days = 2,700 meals in 30 months
2,700 meals in 30 months for 55 people average = 148,500 meals served
148,500 free meals served in the first 30 months for people at the Center.
(approximate)
These meals are in addition to the daily meals served to people requiring assistance at the Outreach Center.
The OverNite Center Philosophy
Then the righteous will answer Him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:37-45
The OverNite Center is a facility that provides a “safe haven” for all who come to spend the night. It is a “bridge” to existing services already provided by the Outreach Ministry where people access resources to assist in moving out of homelessness to housing.
The OverNite Center is designed to be a respite from the outside elements where people can come to get a comfortable night's sleep. Guests rest in large, zero-gravity chairs that recline into a horizontal position in this climate controlled facility.
OverNite Center Contact Information
Phone: 618.646.9060
Fax: 618.646.9059
For more information CLICK HERE
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.
Bishop McGovern blesses the new lobby and security entrance to the Outreach Center and Dining Hall
View of Outreach Center, new lobby entrance, and OverNite Center in the background.
Outreach Center with new lobby entrance on far right.
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!
The SVDP Administration Office has moved from the Vieux Carre location.
The new location is conveniently located on West Main in Belleville across the street from Blessed Sacrament Parish.
The newly refurbished offices are housed in the Belleville Police West-End Facility.
There is St. Vincent de Paul signage on the outside of the building for easy access.
The new address is:
8800 West Main Street
Belleville, Illinois 62223
Copyright © 2023 Society of St. Vincent de Paul Belleville, IL Council - All Rights Reserved.
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