Who We Are

Shelter Care Ministries started in 1984 as an outreach of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. A Saturday soup kitchen was the first program. The Jubilee Center, a drop-in center for adults with mental illness, soon followed. There are over 300 active Jubilee members.

In 1994, Shelter Care began its Supportive Housing program for families who were homeless. This program now includes 22 leased apartments and an additional 10-14 subsidized houses and apartments for families.

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. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and changing needs in the community, MAYA’S House closed in 2021.

Shelter Care was incorporated as a non-profit in 1985.