Who We Are

Shelter Care Ministries started in 1982 as an outreach of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. A Saturday soup kitchen was the first program. A shelter for homeless families was the next program, followed in 1989 by the Jubilee Center, a drop-in center for adults with mental illness. There are over 450 active Jubilee members and over 200 adults and children housed each year.

In 1994, Shelter Care began its scattered-site housing program for families who were homeless. This program now includes 48 houses and apartments for families, and an additional 15 apartments for individuals were added in 2023.

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 daytime 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.