Justice Focused
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
We stand together as a community, willing to do the hard work of justice thru Advocacy, Service, and Support.
Advocacy
Immigration: AMMPARO / Exodus / Refugee One
We stand with immigrants.
All affirm the concern for the wellbeing of vulnerable migrants who cross our borders fleeing from danger and threats to their lives. Good Shepherd continues to move forward on this issue as we work with the following organizations: AMMPARO, Exodus, and Refugee One.
Exodus World Service welcomes refugees and fosters relationships between community members.
Exodus World Service mobilizes the Christian community to welcome and befriend refugees. We do this by educating churches and individuals about the plight of refugees, connecting volunteers with refugees through practical service projects, and empowering people to be champions for refugees.
Good Shepherd members have collected donations to help fill a home for new families and will be visiting a newly-arrived refugee family as part of Exodus’s New Neighbor program.
AMMPARO is a holistic, whole church commitment by the ELCA, as a church in the world, to accompany children today and in the future.
The word “amparo” in Spanish means the protection of a living creature from suffering or damage. The ELCA’s strategy to Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO) was envisioned after witnessing the plight of children who are forced to flee their communities because of complex and interrelated reasons, including chronic violence, poverty, environmental displacement and lack of opportunities in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. Due to our connection to companion churches in the region, including companion synod relationships, and existing ministries in the U.S., the ELCA is well-positioned to help ensure that these vulnerable children are protected.
Good Shepherd has taken the steps to become a Welcoming Congregation to accompany these children and families through their transition to life in the US. (www.elca.org/Resources/AMMPARO)
RefugeeOne creates opportunity for refugees fleeing war, terror, and persecution to build new lives of safety, dignity, and self-reliance.
Every year, RefugeeOne serves more than 2,500 refugees and immigrants of all ages, ethnic groups, faiths, and backgrounds. Our primary focus is to assist these resilient individuals in becoming an independent, self-supporting member of their new community. As the largest resettlement agency in Illinois, RefugeeOne has welcomed more than 18,000 refugees through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program since 1982. RefugeeOne walks alongside refugees from the moment they land at O'Hare International Airport—welcoming them to Chicago and providing furnished apartments, English classes, job search support, mental health care, youth programming, and mentors to help them adjust to life in the U.S.
United Power for Action and Justice
We are members of United Power for Action and Justice.
United Power is the nation's first and largest network of multi-faith, broad-based citizens' organizations with 7 decades of experience winning tough battles on housing, health care, education, living wages, and immigration rights. Currently they are working on issues of mental health: creating alternatives to pushing the mentally ill into the prison pipeline, Housing in Chicago: reclaiming foreclosed housing on the Southside of Chicago, and Gun Violence: working to change manufacturing.
LGBTQI+ / Reconciling in Christ
We are a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation.
We welcome, include and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. Good Shepherd rests securely in the "Nurturance" section of the Riddle Scale in our welcoming towards of LGBTQIA+ people. We assume that diversity in sexual orientation within our community is indispensable. We view differences with genuine affection and delight in diversity. See where you are on the Riddle Scale.
Persist
We encourage people to join others in being politically active.
Persist was born out of the Women’s March in January 2016. It is open to both women and men. We discuss local, state, and national elections and write postcards and letters to get out the vote. We sometimes invite guest speakers, go to marches together, and get involved in local social justice and environmental projects and advocacy. Persist gathers on the second Friday of the month for dinner and discussion, sponsors groups to attend the marches, and hosts local candidate forums.
Call the office at (708) 848-4741 to learn more about the current projects.
ELCA Advocacy
We believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
As members of the ELCA, we believe that God uses our hands, through our direct service work and our voices, through our advocacy efforts, to restore and reconcile our world. Through faithful advocacy, the ELCA lives out our Lutheran belief that governments can help advance the common good.
ELCA advocacy works for change in public policy based on the experience of Lutheran ministries, programs and projects around the world and in communities across the United States. We work through political channels on behalf of the following biblical values: peacemaking, hospitality to strangers, care for creation, and concern for people living in poverty and struggling with hunger and disease.
Service
Brake For Breakfast
You'll find us at the corner of East and Randolph, rain, snow, or sunshine!
What if a simple bottle of Gatorade could change the world? While we can't quantify the world-impact, but we know it has been making a difference in the lives of students at OPRF. This ministry of Good Shepherd provides drinks and snacks to students walking to the local high school on those “Late Arrival” Wednesdays held every few weeks. This program provides a healthy start for 60-80 students who stop by for this grab and go refreshment. Your donation of baked goods, fresh fruit, and packaged cheese will be a welcome addition. We set up around 8:45am to be ready for the students who walk by from 9am till 9:30am.
Feed My Starving Children
Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a Christian nonprofit dedicated to seeing every child whole in body and spirit.
FMSC works with food distribution partners that stay with communities for the long haul, empowering them to move from relief to development. FMSC meals are developed by food science and nutrition professionals to supplement nutritional needs and reduce problems with malnutrition. Nutrition allows children to grow, thrive and develop to their full potential. Our process is simple. Donations given to fund the meal ingredients. Volunteers hand-pack the meals. Meals are donated to FMSC food partners around the world, where kids are fed and lives are saved! Learn more at www.fmsc.org
Kidz Express
Kidz Express was founded as part of Good Shepherd's social ministry in 1997 to move forward in faith by providing programs and services for students in Austin.
Today Kidz Express is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; however, it remains closely partnered with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. While programming for over 60 children takes place each weekday and for the bulk of the summer, volunteers are always needed on Tuesday nights at 6pm to help with tutoring. To volunteer at Kidz Express please talk with Pastor Kathy or go to: www.kidzexpress.org.
Housing Forward
PADS Weekly Breakfast and Monthly Breakfast Staffing
Housing Forward’s new Interim Housing Program offers individual accommodations to clients experiencing homelessness, as well as wraparound services focused on a clear path to permanent housing. They currently provide a temporary shelter, meals, job counseling, and more at The Write Inn, on Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park. These services are provided year round. Volunteers from Good Shepherd provide 30 lunches for clients each week, which we drop off the evening before.
In February 2021, Good Shepherd began partnering with Housing Forward to host a warming center for unsheltered individuals during bitter cold spells. You can read more about this partnership here.
Christmas Sharing
In Partnership with the
Community of Congregations
As a program of the Community of Congregations, Good Shepherd participates in providing Christmas gifts to needy families. Members sign up for a family or individual. Listen and look for announcements in November and early December.
Support
Food Pantries – Need Food?
Good Shepherd provides support for local food pantries serving people in need in our community. If you need food assistance, the following food pantries and other services are available to help:
Beyond Hunger: 848 Lake Street, Oak Park, Wednesday 3:30 - 6:30; Saturday 9 - Noon
New Life Ministries: 634 N. Austin, Oak Park, Thursday 10 - Noon
Healing Temple: 4941 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, Friday 10 - Noon
Oak Park Senior Meals: (708) 383-8060
Low Cost Grocery Delivery: Local low cost grocery delivery is available thru this locally owned business: www.fortyacresfreshmarket.com
Hunger Hotline: The Illinois Hunger Coalition (IHC) Hunger Hotline 1-800-359-2163 provides bilingual services to low-income households through its statewide toll-free Hunger Hotline. Callers are assisted in applying for The Supplemental Nutrition Service (SNAP), All Kids, Medicaid, Medicare, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) as well as referrals for other programs such as:
Supplemental Nutrition for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Programs (LIHEAP)
Food pantries and meal programs/soup kitchens
Child care
Housing assistance
Senior nutrition and health programs
Other federal child nutrition programs: Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Meals on Wheels, and At Risk After School Child Nutrition Programs
WIC – The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal grant program providing supplemental food, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk: Phone: 855-942-2332, email: WIC@cedaorg.net
SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency. Visit them online: abe.illinois.gov or call them at 1-800-843-6154.
Lutheran World Relief
Founded by Lutherans in the United States at the end of World War II, grounded in Lutheran theology and building on decades of experience, Lutheran World Relief tackles global poverty by helping people adapt to the challenges that threaten their livelihoods and well-being.
The program works with people based on need, regardless of race, religion or nationality and does not evangelize. They provide aid in emergencies and help families restore their lives. They partner with communities to build and grow rural economies. They break the cycle of poverty, so families and communities can thrive. Their goal is to help people build self‐sufficiency and create new community‐owned approaches to problem‐solving that will last long after the projects end.
Crop Hunger Walk
CROP Hunger Walks are community-based walk events held on the first Sunday of May in cities and towns across the United States raising funds to support the global mission of Church World Service, a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. Good Shepherd collects donations and has fielded a team of walkers in this community event for over thirty years. Twenty five percent of the funds raised are returned to the host community to support local hunger fighting efforts. Learn more about the Crop Walk in Oak Park by visiting crophungerwalk.org. If you are interested in joining the next Crop Walk team, contact the church office.
Bread for the World
Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. Good Shepherd supports Bread for the World with an annual gift and by writing letters to
members of Congress.
Opportunity Knocks
Opportunity Knocks, a local organization, exists to support people with developmental and intellectual disabilities as they live, work, learn, grow, and connect within their community. Members of Good Shepherd support Opportunity Knocks through
part-time work and an annual gift.
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
Mission Statement
Responding to the Gospel, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) brings healing justice, and wholeness to people and communities.
Overview
Serving Illinois since 1867, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is a nonprofit social service organization of the three Illinois synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). LSSI is one of the largest statewide social service providers. The organization provides critical programs for over 50,000 Illinois residents each year, including foster care, mental health services, alcohol and drug treatment, affordable senior housing, residential programs for people with developmental disabilities, and services that help families who have been impacted by incarceration.
Lutheran Disaster Response
We bring God’s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. When the dust settles and the headlines change, we stay to provide ongoing assistance to those in need. You can learn more by visiting https://lwr.org.
ELCA World Hunger
More than 820 million people - that's about 11 percent of people in our world today - are hungry. As members of the ELCA, we are called to respond. We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work.
Working with and through our congregations, in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Lutheran churches overseas and other partners, ELCA World Hunger is uniquely positioned to reach communities in need. From health clinics to microloans, water wells to animal husbandry, community meals to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger make it possible for the ELCA to respond, supporting sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger and poverty. You can learn more by visiting https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/ELCA-World-Hunger/Our-Approach.