Willow Creek Community Church in Crystal Lake to house event for homeless

Assistance and resources for the homeless will be available at the Community Empower Shower twice a month at Willow Creek Community Church in Crystal Lake through the fall and winter, an organizer said.

Called Community Empower Shower, the next event will take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. two Fridays each month at Willow Crystal Lake, 100 S. Main St., according to a news release from Compassion for Campers. The next events will be Aug. 20, Sept. 3 and Sept. 17.

This will be the fourth time the event has taken place at the church, including a “hugely successful launch” in June, one of the organizers said in the release.

The effort is a collaboration of many organizations and agencies including the Crystal Lake Food Bank, Consumer Credit Counseling, Home of the Sparrow, Live 4 Lali, McHenry County Housing Authority, Pioneer Center, Prairie State Legal Services, Salvation Army, St. Vincent DePaul Society, Veterans Path to Hope, Willow Crystal Lake, Compassion for Campers, and Warp Corps, according to the news release.

Among the many services that will be provided at no cost are mobile showers; laundry facilities; camping supplies including tents, stoves and sleeping bags; toiletries and personal care items; clothing; an on-site meal and food to take; haircuts; transportation; medical access, including the COVID-19 vaccine and doctor’s care; debt management services; shelter and housing referrals; domestic violence support; veterans services; substance use and harm reduction tools and support; and mental health, spiritual and social support referrals.

Assistance also will be available to help attendees obtain IDs, birth certificates and Social Security cards or navigate Social Security insurance and disability insurance, as well as medical coverage, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also known as food stamps) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Compassion for Campers will continue to also offer supplies at Warp Corps, 114 Benton St. in Woodstock, for daily walk-up availability.