Dreams Come True

Move from providing charity to changing structures of injustice. - From the First United 2020 Vision Statement

Our congregation knows how to provide charity, which in the original Greek means "love."

We give people state IDs, we provide free food, clothing, shelter, and spiritual guidance.  We help people find jobs.  We help people get benefits for which they are eligible.

But how can we change the system that causes our neighbors to be poor, to be homeless, to be hungry and to lack education?  That was the question we asked ourselves two years ago.  How can we do justice?

So we came up with some new ideas, and today I can tell you that dreams really do come true. 

Last year we gave our first microloan to a man who was released from prison after serving 20 years.  He was exonerated with DNA evidence, and he came to Oak Park to begin a new life.  This gentleman came to our Walk-In Ministry and told them his story.  And our Faith in Action Committee worked with him to provide a microloan of $2,000 so he could get an apartment and look for a job. 

Last month, that man returned to the Walk-In Mnistry with a check for $2,200.  He repaid the loan with 10 percent interest.  That is what you call a dream come true.  Now the microloan fund is up to about $15,000, and we are looking for our next recipient.

But there's more.  Our Education and Mentoring Team last year wanted to do more to support students over the summer, who often lose reading skills when they are out of school.  So our team worked with Iglesia Unida de Cristo in Berwyn and the Niebuhr Center at Elmhurst College to set up a summer tutoring program with the support of our congregation. 

Twenty students in grades K-8 met with six Elmhurst College education majors for eight weeks, two nights a week.  They read books together, played games and shared meals.  They built relationships.  They achieved their learning goals.  And we will continue to work with the Berwyn congregation in future ministry. 

With work and prayer and God's vision, dreams really do come true!