Austin's Place - An Emergency Shelter for Single Women
|
The shelter was open from December 1, 2012, until January 31, 2013. Until end of March 2013 homeless, single women can request shelter by calling the new Emergency Shelter for Families cell phone number at 372-1137. We thank all faithful volunteers who so generously gave or their time and energy and prayerful support! It wouldn't have happened without you! A decision has not yet been made whether Austin's Place will open again in December 2013. If it is, we will count on you again! This was be the sixth winter that Austin’s Place has been open. Austin’s Place is the only emergency shelter for single women in Champaign County. Austin’s Place operates solely on volunteer effort. Last year we had nearly 100 volunteers who stayed overnight at the shelter, who drove the van transporting guests, who did laundry, who made phone calls, and who solicited and collected donations. Austin’s Place does not happen without volunteers. So our prayer this season is twofold -- first, that homeless women and children in Champaign Urbana will find a warm, safe place to stay in Austin’s Place, and second that God will provide us with volunteers needed to keep Austin’s Place open each night during the coldest part of winter. |
“In a time when so many churches choose to serve communities located in rural or suburban areas, I am inspired by First United Methodist’s local outreach commitment to serving the Downtown Champaign community. Serving this community has proven to be needed, and accepted, by those we serve.” Cathy Koerber, Austin’s Place Volunteer Coordinator 2007-2009 ______________________________________ First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Champaign, Downtown 210 W. Church Street Champaign, IL 61820 Phone 217 356-9078, Fax 217 356-9270 www.champaignfumc.org |
