Warp Corps Hosts Compassion for Campers on March 16

A homeless camp destroyed by winter weather.  Although this photo was taken in the Pacific Northwest the displaced unhoused of McHenry County often found the same conditions after they returned from emergency hotel room stays during the cold weather and snow emergency last month.

Compassion for Campers, the program that provides supplies and gear for the McHenry County homeless who have no steady shelter, Will hold its monthly distribution at Warp Corps, 114 North Benton Street in Woodstock, which is both centrally located and has existing contacts and relations with the homeless community and the social service agencies that serve them, on Tuesday, March 16 from 3:30 to 5 pm.  Client access to Warp Corps will be from the rear entrance on Jackson Street.

Warp Corps will also have major gear on hand including tents, sleeping bags, mats, tarps, and stoves for walk-in access any day during the continuing season. 

“The weather has thankfully taken a much needed turn for the better,” said Compassion for Campers coordinator Patrick Murfin, “but many of our clients had their tents and gear destroyed by the heavy snows or lost while they were being housed on an emergency basis at local hotels during the worst of the cold crisis.  There are still inadequate available beds at local shelters.”

The staff and volunteers of Warp Corps in Woodstock do outstanding outreach to the homeless and other marginalized and endangered communities.  Case manager Carlos Salgado, far left, founder and leader Rob Mutart center, and Director of Case Management and Program Development Heather Nelson second from right.

At the Tuesday gear distribution at Warp Corps clients will be Covid-19 screened with a temperature check and standard screening questions.  No one failing the test will be turned away but we will ask what they need and supplies will be brought out to them.  All clients are required to be masked before entering the building and a mask will be provided to anyone who does not have one.  Clients will be admitted one at a time and no more will be allowed inside at any time than the location can safely accommodate with correct social distancing. 

The next monthly distribution will be held on Tuesday, April 13 at Warp Corps.  Plans are being made for outdoor distributions and perhaps meals during May—October.

Compassion for Campers is grateful to the Faith Leaders of McHenry County, volunteers from Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, and Warp Corps for their invaluable support.

To contribute to Compassion for Campers send a check made out to Tree of Life UU Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL 60050 with Compassion for Campers on the memo line. The donations are placed in a dedicated fund and not used for any other purpose.  Tree of Life also donates all of the administrative expenses of the program.  Currently the program is well supplied with most items and is not currently taking donations of clothing, used sleeping bags, and other items due to limited storage and transportation capacity.