Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service

“The people who come to The Care Service are your friends, your neighbors, the barista who hands you coffee in the morning. They are just like you and me, but something happened in their lives that made them come through our doors.” Said Pam, Executive Director of The Care Service. With no one else to turn to after an uncontrollable event like a job loss or serious illness, it’s easy to slip into homelessness. We make sure no one has to face that kind of crisis alone at The Care Service. Starting over is hard enough, and no one should have to do it on their own. Swipe to see what our clients have been through.

Did you know some of our volunteers have been with The Care Service for over 20 years? Whether they’re restocking pantry shelves, driving the Mobile Pantry van, or writing thank-you letters to our donors, every volunteer brings something special to our community. Today, during National Volunteer Week, we took a moment to celebrate our wonderful volunteers who keep our mission going strong. The Care Service is truly blessed to have over 100 wonderful weekly volunteers, and throughout the year, more than 400 volunteers support special events like our Adopt-A-Family program. In 2024, they gave over 12,000 hours of their time. We’re beyond grateful for the hope they bring to those in crisis. ❤ #NationalVolunteerWeek #volunteering #socialwork #foodpantry #communitysupport

Lavesha, a single mother and one of The Care Service’s clients, worked three jobs to ensure her children had a safe place to call home. Her powerful story was recently featured on KMOV, shedding light not only on her resilience but also on a critical issue: the funding disparities that make it harder to provide assistance to those experiencing homelessness. The funding disparity dates back to federal poverty funding formulas established in the 1990s when the focus was on urban areas. The funding, which continues to favor urban solutions, hasn’t kept pace with the shift of families moving to the suburbs. Families like Lavesha’s face significant challenges as they navigate an underfunded system. It’s clear that systemic change is needed, and it begins with equitable funding that addresses the needs of suburban communities and ensures every family has access to critical support services. Watch Lavesha’s full story and learn more about the impact of funding disparities: https://lnkd.in/gVmwvQDb #Homelessness #AffordableHousing #CommunitySupport #Equity #PolicyChange

When do you usually charge your phone? Some plug in at 70%, some wait until it’s at 1%. But for people experiencing homelessness, it’s whenever they have access to an outlet - they simply can’t afford to miss the window. Homelessness isn’t just about finding shelter or food, it’s also about trying to stay connected. Many only purchase minutes when they have to. And charging a phone? That often means relying on gas stations, libraries, or fast food spots. But those aren’t 24/7 solutions. Without power, there’s no way to apply for jobs, answer calls, check email, or even search for help. Our Street Outreach team does more than distribute life-sustaining supplies. They help individuals navigate the path to stability, whether it’s getting a shower at a shelter, finding a place to charge their phone, or applying for a housing voucher. The barriers are real, and they’re everywhere. Let’s work together to break them down. #socialwork #homelessness #homeless #communitysupport #housing #streetoutreach

More Easter baskets were distributed at our Elsberry Food Pantry! Easter is just around the corner, and thanks to the amazing Alleluia Baskets and our pantry volunteers, so many kids will wake up to a joyful surprise on Easter morning. #easter #easterweekend #foodpantry

Imagine trying to get ready for a job interview but you can’t shave to feel presentable. Or heading to school without being able to wash your hair or put on deodorant. Hygiene items like razors, shampoo, toilet paper, and deodorant aren’t covered by food stamps (SNAP), yet they’re just as essential as food when it comes to health, confidence, and dignity. Over the weekend, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri delivered an incredible donation of over 39,000 personal hygiene items collected through their April Showers campaign. Thanks to their incredible effort, the generosity of our community, and the hard work of our volunteers, our pantry storage room is now fully stocked with essential hygiene items. We are truly grateful for the generous contributions that help lighten the burden on our clients!

Years ago, The Care Service’s co-founder Miriam met someone living under a bridge with a pile of canned food he couldn’t eat because he didn’t have a can opener. Since then, we’ve prioritized pop-top cans for our Street Outreach clients. It’s a simple way to remove a barrier that wouldn’t occur to most of us. And your support helps us keep showing up with what’s truly needed.

Over the weekend, The Care Service participated in the Housing Resource Fair hosted by the City of O'Fallon (and Kathy Bradley with Keller Williams Realty West) to advocate for affordable housing in our community. Right now, the need is urgent - there are only seven affordable housing units available for every 100 renters in St. Charles, Lincoln, and Warren Counties. The Care Service owns and manages 15 affordable and transitional homes in our area thanks to the funds raised through our Making Room Housing Campaign. These homes are rented to eligible families at an affordable rate. There’s no easy fix, but with your support, we can make a difference. Learn more about our Making Room Housing Campaign: https://lnkd.in/gB5VbNrx

It’s April! Case Manager Macy is on her way to deliver Easter baskets to her clients. Each basket is tailored by age and filled with toys, books, and, of course, chocolates! Parents will sneak them in so little ones wake up to a magical Easter morning. Thank you to Alleluia Baskets for creating these adorable baskets and to our pantry volunteers for sorting and organizing everything for our Case Managers! #easter #spring #actsofkindness #makingadiffernce

"When we were living in a hotel, it was a little hard for my older children to get picked up by the school bus. Other kids would ask them, ‘Do you guys live in a hotel? That’s embarrassing.’ Because of our situation, they kind of were inward kids. But now they’re starting to get out of their shells again. They’re not embarrassed anymore. They go outside, play with other kids around here, and ride scooters together." Said Lavesha, who now lives in one of The Care Service’s affordable and transitional homes with her children. Stable housing provides children with a sense of security and belonging, allowing them to focus on being kids rather than worrying about where they’ll sleep next. When kids don’t have a stable home, they often feel different from their peers, leading to isolation and low self-esteem. But when they do, they’re more likely to make friends, participate in activities, and build confidence in themselves. A stable home isn’t just a place to sleep, it’s about giving children the freedom to thrive without the weight of uncertainty holding them back. ❤ #housing #socialwork #community #housinginsecurity #mentalhealth