Tis the Season of Giving - South Church blesses vulnerable kids

Bethany Christian Services is pleased to announce it has received a $5,000 donation from South Church of Mount Prospect, whose Pastor is Rick Kesler. These funds will support Safe Families for Children.

Safe Families for Children program is a network of volunteer Host Families who help parents in need of temporary care for their children as they work through hardships such as homelessness. Vulnerable parents need support when crisis enters their lives. A support system for the parents will alleviate their stress level and empower them to make sound decisions for themselves and their children. In 2019, Bethany seeks to support over 250 parents and children.

The Safe Families for Children program perfectly reflects Bethany’s mission, which is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ by protecting children, empowering youth, and strengthening families through quality social services.

"South Church of Mount Prospect dedicated the year 2018 to sharing and caring for community beyond church walls. The mission group South Church Cares chose as its theme, ‘Nourishing Body and Mind’. Helping children who are vulnerable and who have no safe place to be is a wonderful way to bring that theme into the community. We were delighted to give in this way, and to contribute to the health and well-being of these children." Virginia Moore, South Church Cares Chair.

Rebecca MacDougall, the Executive Director of Bethany, added, “Safe Families for Children has a huge impact on the lives of children and their parents. This program is almost totally supported through the efforts of volunteer families and with the financial support of individuals, businesses and churches like South Church of Mount Prospect. We could not provide this service without them. The collection of donations has allowed Bethany to place 134 children in Safe Host Homes last year alone.

If you would like to hear more about Safe Families, we invite community members to attend our annual fund-raising dinner, “Family Changes Everything on March 14, 2019. For more information visit https://www.bethany.org/chicago/events/family-changes-everything.

Bethany Christian Services of Illinois finds families for children and strengthens families. To learn more about Bethany, please visit https://www.bethany.org/chicago.