In The News > Local Ministry Provides Home for Mom

Local ministry provides home for mom

The State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL)
October 28, 2006

A single mother of three children who was homeless for a time will soon have a doublewide mobile home to call her own thanks to the generosity of a local not-for-profit ministry and a program at LINCOLN LAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

LOVING GOD OUT LOUD will provide the doublewide to the mother plus two single mobile homes to two other families whose mothers are participants in the LLCC DISPLACED HOMEMAKER PROGRAM.

The program assists people who have lost their primary income because of divorce, death, separation or disability and who need a new start through education or a job. From 150-180 people typically participate in the program (mostly women, but there are few men).

BOBBIE HAHN, founder and president of Loving God Out Loud, said the ministry wanted to donate homes to single moms who were going to school and were homeless or near homeless. Hahn asked MARY BETH RAY, the Displaced Homemaker Program coordinator, to have eligible moms write essays to explain their status and how a donated home would help them get a new start in life.

Six participants wrote essays and submitted them to Hahn and a committee.

"That's what our ladies here are trying to do. They're either trying to get a job or better job or come back to school to get some training," said Ray, who also is director of Career Development Services at LLCC.

The mother who won the doublewide home is separated, coming out of an abusive situation. She is expected to be a student at LLCC in January, Ray said.

"She was homeless for a while. She was living in her car with three kids," Ray said. "For the last two months, she's been in an apartment, but it's very unsafe. The police get called out there, and it's a dangerous place to live, especially with children."

The Displaced Homemaker Program has assisted people for 22 years and is funded through a Department of Labor grant. Some participants take classes at LLCC while others enroll in the program for training in job skills or help with finding a job, with interviewing or writing a resume.

"Sometimes, they are even employed, but they've lost their job or they're in temporary jobs and they're looking for something that's permanent and that gives them some benefits. We call them 'underemployed,'" said Ray, who added that 53 displaced homemakers were placed into employment last year with the help of the program.

Displaced homemakers can call 786-2344 to learn about the services the program offers.

Many women who come in for help are discouraged, and some have been abused by their husbands or boyfriends, Ray said.

"They come in here and they get a kind word and help on everything - emotional, financial. Then they know someone here because they come into our office and meet us, and so they don't feel so alone out at Lincoln Land," Ray said.

Anyone who wants to donate to Loving God Out Loud, which refurbishes mobile homes with the help of contributions, may do so by visiting its Web site at .

Charity honor roll

Children will participate in the U.S. Fund for UNICEF's annual TRICK-OR-TREAT FOR UNICEF in their churches or neighborhoods today and Sunday in Springfield and Rochester.

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED OF SPRINGFIELD hosts Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.

Blues band

THE LOWDOWN BLUES BAND will be among entertainment for a fundraiser for RON DAUGHERTY from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Eagles Club, 2700 E. Ash St.

The name of the band was incorrect in last week's column.