Shelter Care Ministries

It is the mission of Shelter Care Ministries to provide shelter, awaken hope and honor dignity in every person who seeks comfort, support or assistance through our programs. Our focus is on individuals with a chronic mental illness and families that are homeless in the Winnebago/Boone county area.

Shelter Care was established in 1984 as an outreach ministry of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in downtown Rockford to respond to the growing population of homeless in the Rockford metropolitan area. A year later, it was honored with the designation as a Jubilee Ministry Center by the National Episcopal Church. The Jubilee Center which is a drop-in day center for adults with chronic mental illness who are also homeless or at risk of homelessness is open weekdays throughout the year.

In 1995, Shelter Care started its Emergency and Transitional Housing Program for families in homelessness. Housing later expanded to include Permanent Supportive and Rapid Rehousing. These units specifically serve families with minor children, allowing the family to stay together as adults work to stabilize their situation. Shelter Care provides housing to 35-40 families each month.

Shelter Care took over operations of MAYA’S House Daycare in 2007 (originally founded and supported by the Junior League in 2003). MAYA'S House is a day time Drop-In Day Center for homeless children. MAYA'S House gives parents a safe, structured, educational environment for their children while allowing them to look for a job or obtain the training or education they need.