OUTREACH

GreenFaith

GreenFaith is an interfaith coalition that seeks to “inspire, educate and mobilize people of diverse spiritual backgrounds to rediscover their relationship with the sacred in nature and to restore the earth for future generations.”

St. Matthew’s is working with GreenFaith to rediscover the sacred in nature and to grow through a renewed commitment to a healthy environment. Visit website: http://www.greenfaith.org

Room 32 at Mary Lou’s Place

A Domestic Violence Shelter for Women and Their Children

Mary Lou’s Place is a place of refuge for women and children who’ve fled abusive\situations or violence in their homes. In 2007, St. Matthew’s “adopted” a room at the shelter and refurbished it from top to bottom, transforming it into a welcoming, comfortable space that conveys a sense of safety, home and support. St. Matthew’s maintains the room on a regular basis so that each resident can experience the same level of comfort and relief.

Hananasif Orphanage Center, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

Hananasif Orphanage Center is a faith-based, not-for-profit organization serving orphaned and underprivileged children in one of the poorest regions of the world.

Hananasif’s holistic approach to nourishing the lives of the children they serve includes health care, education, job training, spiritual and leadership development, agricultural sustainability skills, and the cultivation and promotion of the arts.

While Hananasif relies on a community-based network of support and resources to bring enduring hope and bright futures to the children it serves, its continued growth is strengthened by financial contributions from the people of St. Matthew’s. Visit website: www.hananasif.org

The Night Ministry

Since 1976, The Night Ministry has been reaching out and being present to those who make their lives on the nighttime streets of Chicago. The Night Ministry brings services directly to people where they are, in their neighborhoods. Their ministry of support includes feeding, pastoral care and health outreach for homeless youth and others in need.

St. Matthew’s supports this ministry by preparing and serving meals on a regular basis throughout the year. Visit website: www.thenightministry.org

Faith In Action Evanston

Faith in Action is a program offering much-needed support to homebound individuals. Trained volunteers help their elderly, disabled, or chronically ill neighbors remain independent and in their own homes by assisting with grocery shopping, light housework, transportation to medical appointments or by just visiting.

While assistance is provided by a coalition of interfaith volunteers, St. Matthew’s is the founding congregation and many parishioners are among the network of volunteers. Visit website: www.fianationalnetwork.org

Episcopal Relief & Development

Working in partnership with the worldwide Church, ecumenical agencies and local organizations, Episcopal Relief & Development saves lives and strengthens communities around the world.

Their programs work toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals (www.un.org/millenniumgoals), which aim to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015.