Reaching Out To Share God’s Love
The mission of EvUCC is to joyfully share the love of God and Christ by reaching out to others and to nurture the community of faith spiritually, emotionally, and educationally.
We live out our mission through various opportunities throughout the year. In addition to our community outreach, we are involved in various local and international missions. We strive to have meaningful impacts on our neighbors locally, nationally, and internationally.
We currently support four mission projects a year that assist a diverse group in bringing about positive change and justice. Please take a look at the projects and support we provide below for these important and relevant organizations.
L.U.N.C.H. Bunch
EvUCC initiated the L.U.N.C.H. (Loving United Neighbors Crushing Hunger) Bunch program in February of 2017. The L.U.N.C.H. Bunch’s mission is to address food insecurity by promoting good nutrition, as well as the developmental and social needs of the children and families of the Highland Community School District #5 during the summer recess when these youth do not have access to free or reduced meals they usually receive at school. Volunteers prepare and distribute free, healthy sack lunches to children each weekday for 10 weeks each summer. For more information about this program please visit their Facebook page.
Highland Home
In the late 1800, the Ladies Aid Society (now known as the Women’s Guild at EvUCC) realized that a home for the aged was needed. This vision and the untiring efforts became the reality of the Highland Home in 1912. This independent living retirement home is a vibrant community that is still serving seniors today at 1600 Walnut Street. It is modern apartment living with everything taken care of for you… but with the freedom to be independent as you want.
Click on the button below for more information.
Uni-Pres Kindercottage was established May 10, 1965, as a not-for-profit agency to provide services to children ages 3-5 years. By 1970, families needed our services for a younger group of children. We met those needs by lowering the age to 2 years. Today, we provide services to all children including those with special needs. We are licensed to serve eighty-six children, ages six weeks through twelve years. Uni-Pres Kindercottage is and always has been family driven. We provide additional services to meet the needs of families because of The Welfare Reform Act, which requires families to become self-sufficient to leave the welfare rolls. Our agency expanded services to include counseling, health and developmental screenings, food, clothing give-a-ways, job referrals and job training opportunities. Uni-Pres Kindercottage mission statement states, “We provide an environment where all children have opportunities for learning through educational, social and developmental programs.” The Uni-Pres Kindercottage is a holistic model which includes the child’s health, social and psychological well being, as well as their family dynamics.
In 1997 EvUCC started a food pantry providing services to the entire community. It was housed in a walk-in closet area of the church and managed entirely by EvUCC volunteers. In June 1999 with the help of (HAMA) Highland Area Ministerial Alliance – HACSM was born.
HACSM
On September 2, 2008 the outreach project expanded to a rented building space because the need outgrew the space. This endeavor was supported by a grant from Madison County Community Development and assistance from the City of Highland, local businesses, civic groups and generous individuals. EvUCC helped to move the newly established 501C3 to a 4,500 square foot building located at 900 Chestnut Street in Highland where it resides today.
Currently 16 local churches work together to provide volunteers to help with food distribution and a variety of tasks at the pantry. In addition to food and household items, HACSM provides help with utility and rent assistance and referral and case management services, Christmas and Birthday gifts, school supplies and counseling.
To reach HACSM, please call 618-654-9295
Or click on the button below to learn more.
Foster care is designed to protect children, but unfortunately, it can harm them further.
Beyond the sheer number of children placed in foster care in Illinois, more than a third of them shuffle homes three or more times while they’re in care. They are placed in group facilities or homes with the nearest empty beds, not necessarily the homes best suited to help them heal from their trauma.
The problem seems overwhelming, doesn’t it? So overwhelming, in fact, that — no matter how much it breaks your heart — it can be hard to know where to start. We felt that way too, at first.
But, one thing is clearer now than ever before: We are the answer. All of us.
Back Bay Mission has a simple mission: to strengthen neighborhoods, seek justice, and transform lives. We strengthen neighborhoods through ministries like our education and empowerment programs and our housing rehabilitation program. These vital ministries help the people we serve be a part of, and build, their communities on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As volunteers take what they learn at Back Bay Mission home with them, they have the opportunity to strengthen their own neighborhoods. We seek justice by helping the people we serve become more involved in their communities, educating people about the realities of poverty, and advocating on behalf of marginalized people in our community. All of our programs transform lives. Whether we’re helping a homeowner keep their home, mentoring a single mother as she plans her path out of poverty, or working with an intern who is thinking about a career in social work, we’re making the lives of the people we serve better.
Hoyleton Youth & Family Services is one of only 14 CARE certified agencies in the United States, and the only one serving youth in the Midwest. CARE certification is granted to social services agencies, by Cornell University, who meet the Residential Child Care Project’s Highest Standards for Implementation of the Child and Residential Experiences (CARE) Program Model. CARE is a trauma-informed practice model based on six core principles that create successful outcomes for children and families. The aim of CARE is to bring our current practice closer to well-researched best practices with children and families impacted by trauma. The CARE model is recognized as our agency compass, it guides our interactions with youth, families and staff as well as our policies, procedures and decision making.