Who We Are
Shelter Care Ministries was established in 1984 as an outreach ministry of Emmanuel Episcopal Church to respond to the increasing population of people who were homeless in downtown Rockford. A Saturday soup kitchen was the first program, with the Jubilee Center, a drop-in center for adults with mental illness who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, following close behind. In 1985, Shelter Care became incorporated as a separate non-profit.
In 1994, Shelter Care began its Emergency and Transitional Housing for families in homelessness; this program has expanded to 20 furnished apartments. These units specifically serve families with minor children, allowing the family to stay together as adults work to stabilize their situation. In 2012, Permanent Supportive Housing for families was added and in 2016, Rapid Rehousing began. Shelter Care now houses between 30 and 36 families each night of the year.
In 2005, Shelter Care became the managing partner of MAYA’S House (founded by the Junior League of Rockford in 2003), and began sole operation of the program in 2007. MAYA’S House was a day time Drop-In Day Center for homeless children. MAYA’S House gave parents a safe, structured, educational environment for their children while allowing them to look for a job or obtain the training or education they need. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and changing needs in the community, MAYA’S House closed in 2021.
History Timeline
1981
• Emmanuel Episcopal Church began to realize the plight of men with mental illness wandering the streets of Rockford.
1982
• Father James Cardone becomes the Rector at Emmanuel.
• Emmanuel Soup Kitchen is started.
1984
• Recession impact increases homelessness.
• Emmanuel Parishioners are trained to help at the Open Doors Mission.
1985
• Family homelessness increases significantly.
• Shelter Care Ministries is incorporated on July 22nd.
• Shelter Care receives first grant from Public Aid for a six month pilot program with the Open Doors Mission for $24,000.
• Rev. Robert Hensley becomes program coordinator.
• Shelter Care receives Jubilee designation by the National Episcopal Church.
1986
• Shelter Care ends relationship with The Open Doors Mission.
• Jan Wanninger hired as part-time program coordinator.
• Shelter Care becomes funded through Episcopal Charities.
1987
• Stewart McKinney Homeless Assistance Act passes creating 15 funded programs to serve individuals who are homeless and creates definitions for homelessness. Families are not included in the Act.
• Jubilee Center opens on Sundays from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
• Rev. Cardone leaves as Rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
1989
• Jubilee Center extends hours; opens five days a week.
• First Spring Luncheon
• Family Programming begins.
1990
• Rockford Affordable Housing Coalition formed.
1991
• Robert Parker hired as the Director of Jubilee Center.
1994
• Pilot Program for transitional housing through Illinois Department of Public Aid
1995
• HUD funding for transitional housing
• First Harvest Fest
1996
• Welfare Reform Law is signed into law.
• 6 emergency units/4 transitional units are provided to homeless families.
1997
• State removes people who abuse substance from SSI benefits.
• Children with disabilities are removed from SSI.
• The network that supports people who are marginalized now puts them at greater risk of harm.
2005
• Shelter Care became the managing partner for MAYA’S House, which was started by the Junior League of Rockford in 2002.
2007
• Shelter care became the sole administrator of MAYA’S House daycare.
2010
• Awarded Permanent Supportive Housing Program through HUD, for 4 additional families where one parent has a disability.
2012
• Contracts with MedMan Creative to develop branding for a new vision, mission and web site.
• Receives the new application funding through the Continuum of Care to serve 5 Veteran families.
2013
• Careers Etc., a life and employment readiness program is acquired by Shelter Care; families housed by Shelter Care and members of Jubilee begin attending sessions.
2014
• Funding for Careers Etc. ends due to a reprioritization by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Shelter Care aggressively fundraises to keep the program operating.
• Reprioritized money from Careers Etc. is distributed equally among three local providers of housing for homeless. Shelter Care receives $33,000 to start a new Permanent Supportive Housing program for families who are chronically homeless. 3 additional families are served with the funding.
2015
• Robert Parker retires after 24 years as the Director of Jubilee Center.
• Careers Etc. program closes.
• With the help of many generous supporters, Shelter Care endures the State Of Illinois budget impasse for 11-1/2 months.
2016
• Shelter Care receives additional HUD Continuum of Care funding to start providing Rapid Rehousing to homeless families. Programming begins in November and by year’s end, 8 families are accepted into the program.
