Community Corner
Coronavirus Closes Daybreak Center in Joliet
The organization is fundraising for the costs of hotel rooms and food for the homeless during the pandemic.
JOLIET, IL — Initially, Daybreak Center, which is run by Catholic Charities, remained open during the coronavirus pandemic. On March 17, the organization posted a list of needed supplies to help them serve clients. The post indicated that while Shepherd's Table, the soup kitchen that serves the community, had transitioned to serving bagged lunches, and said Daybreak Center "continues to serve individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness during this challenging time."
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But the next day, organizers announced the suspensions until further notice of the following:
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- Homeless Prevention and Emergency Services in DuPage County
- Shepherd’s Table soup kitchen (not serving in dining room, but providing bagged lunches outside instead)
- On-site early childhood services
- All volunteer opportunities
- All groups
- The Giving Tree donation center is closed
The counseling classes are intended to replace face-to-face meetings with phone meetings during this time.
Daybreak Center, which serves homeless men and women in separate sleeping quarters already shifted how they were serving homeless.
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“Because the CDC is requiring clients sleep head to toe instead of all facing in the same direction, our capacity will be reduced to 36 in the men’s dorm and 24 in the women’s dorm,” Kathleen Langdon, director of development and communications for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet, told the Herald-News over the weekend. “Family shelter space is yet to be determined.”
But on Monday, The Herald-News was reporting the closure of Daybreak Center and a request from Catholic Charities for funding.
Catholic Charities' website indicates that a donation of $60 will pay for a night of shelter and $15 will pay for a day of food.
There are two ways to donate: Click here to donate online or send a check to:
Catholic Charities
16555 Weber Road
Crest Hill, IL 60403
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