Warp Corps Offers new Shuttle Service to Empower Shower Events

Warp Corps Community Outreach, 114 N. Benton Street in Woodstock will now offer free ride service to Community Power Shower Events at Willow Crystal Lake, 100 South Main Street in Crystal Lake.

Empower Shower is a collaborative community event providing homeless individuals access to a variety of resources.  Warp Corps and Willow Creek will work together to provide transportation from Woodstock and surrounding towns for the events that are held every first and third Mondays of every month from 10 am to 2 pm.  Regular pick-ups will be scheduled at the Woodstock Metro Station at 9:30 am and the Woodstock Wendy’s parking lot, 120 North Eastwood Drive.  Individuals who cannot meet at these locations and times can reach out to the Warp Corps team at 260 409-9811 to arrange pick up.

Compassion for Campers, the organization that provides camping gear, supplies, cold weather gear, non-perishable food and personal hygiene items is on hand for every event.  Donations can be made to Tree of Life UU Congregation by check with Compassion for Campers on the memo line or online at https://treeoflifeuu.breezechms.com/give/online noting the designation of the donation.  All donations are placed in a dedicated fund that cannot be used for any other purpose and Tree of Life provides all administrative costs at no charge so that all funds go directly to aiding the homeless.

For more information contact Tree of Life Social Justice Chair and Compassion for Campers coordinator Patrick Murfin at pmurfin@sbcglobal.net  or call 815 814-5645.

Community Aid to Homeless Now Regular at Willow Crystal Lake

After a hugely successful launch in June the Community Empower Shower will become a regular, twice a month event at Willow Crystal Lake, 100 S. Main Street from 10 am to 2 pm beginning Friday, July 16.  Events will then be held on the first and third Fridays of each month, August 6 and 20 next month.  Compassion for Campers, the program that provides camping gear and equipment to the McHenry County unhoused, is proud to participate.

Organizers have included even more groups, agencies, and services for the homeless population.  The Empowerment Shower is a collaborative effort of many organizations and agencies including the Crystal Lake Food Bank, Consumer Credit Counseling, Home of the Sparrow, Live 4 LALI, McHenry County Housing Authority, Pioneer Center, Prairie State Legal Services, Salvation Army, St. Vincent DePaul Society, Veterans Path to Hope, Willow Crystal Lake, and Warp Corps.

Among the many services that will be offered at no cost are:

Mobil showers

Laundry Facilities

Camping Supplies including Tent, Stove, Sleeping Bags

Toiletries/Personal Care items

Clothing

Onsite Meal

Food

Haircuts

Transportation

Assistance obtaining IDs, birth certificates, Social Security cards

Assistance with SSI/SSDI (Disability)

Assistance with Medical coverage, SNAP, TANF

Medical Access—Doctor care, Covid-19 vaccine

Debt Management Services/Advocacy

Shelter and Housing Referrals and Linkages

Domestic Violence support

Veteran’s Services

Substance Use/Harm Reduction Tools and Support

Mental Health, Spiritual, and Social Support Referrals

 

Just some of the supplies available to Compassion for Campers unhoused clients at the June Community Empower Shower event at Willow Crystal Lake.

Compassion of Campers will continue to also offer supplies at Warp Corps, 114 Benton St. in Woodstock, for daily walk-up availability.

Contributions to support Compassion for Campers including building reserves for emergency hotel rooms during cold and snow emergencies this winter can be made by sending 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.  Or contact the church administrator at office@treeofliveuu.org for information how to donate by text or online.  The donations are placed in a dedicated fund and not used for any other purpose.  Tree of Life also donates all the administrative expenses of the program so 100% of all donations go directly to client assistance.

 

A Victim of Our Own Success—Compassion for Campers Needs our Purse Refreshed

Compassion for Campers volunteer Andy Myers showed off just some of the supplies available at the first Community Empower Shower event at Willow Crystal Lake on June 25.

Compassion for Campers, the program that provides camping gear and equipment to the unhoused in McHenry County, has become the victim of our own success and is in urgent need contributions to continue its service effectively.  We have been distributing essential supplies including tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tarps, stoves and fuel, as well as non-perishable food, mosquito spray, sunscreen, and personal hygiene items at Warp Corp, 114 Benton Street in Woodstock on a daily walk-in basis.  We recently joined the Community Empowerment Shower collaborative service event at Willow Crystal Lake, 100 S. Main Street, where we served more clients than at any previous individual event.  The next scheduled Empower event will be Friday, July 16 from 10 am to 2 pm and then the first and third Fridays in August—6th & 20th.

We are out of our big ticket items for both Warp Corps and Willow and need to resupply but our funds are way down.  In May and June, we ordered supplies for $1,866 and $1315 respectively but will have to significantly up our order to meet the current demand at both locations.  The trouble is as of June 28 we only had $904 on hand—less than we need to completely supply even one of them.

Community Empower Shower event will serve the homeless in July and August.  Help Compassion for Campers bring needed supplied.   

With two events at Willow beginning in August we will need even more.  And we are also trying to build reserves so that we can contribute to supplying hotel rooms in case of another cold weather emergency this winter.

We hope that you can help us out with an urgently needed donation.

Contributions to support Compassion for Campers can be made by sending 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.  For information on how to make donations online or by direct deposit from your account contact Judy Stettner at office@treeoflifeuu.org.   The donations are placed in a dedicated fund and not used for any other purpose.  Tree of Life also donates all the administrative expenses of the program so 100% of all donations go directly to client assistance.

Thanks so much for your consideration!

Compassion for Campers Adds Gear Distribution Options for June

Compassion for Campers, the program that provides supplies and gear for the McHenry County homeless will hold its monthly outdoor, warm weather distribution at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, 503 W. Jackson Street in Woodstock today Tuesday June 15 from 3:30-5 pm.

Clients select from gear on display at St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Woodstock last November.

Compassion for Campers is also joining a collective effort by McHenry County Outreach, a loose cooperation between service providers in the area including Pioneer Center, the St. Vincent DePaul Society, Warp Corps, and others for an enhanced service opportunity for the unhoused at Willow Creek Crystal Lake, 100 Main Street in Crystal Lake on Friday June 25 from 10 am-3pm.  There will be a mobile shower available, free use of laundry facilities, onsite case management services for people who are looking for the assistance, and lunch in addition to the usual camping gear and equipment.  

Willow Creek Crystal Lake on Mainstreet downtown will host a new, cooperative service to the unhoused that will include showers, laundry facilities, social service agency referrals and case management in addition to Compassion for Campers gear.

The program has stocked up on seasonal supplies including insect repellent, sunscreen, rain ponchos, and lighter socks and clothing.

“Meanwhile Compassion for Campers will continue to have some gear including tents, sleeping bags, mats, and stoves available at Warp Corps, 114 North Benton Street in Woodstock for walk-in pickup when the store is open,” according to Patrick Murfin, a volunteer coordinator, “making it easier to continuously meet the needs of our unhoused neighbors.

Compassion for Campers is grateful to St. Ann’s Episcopal, Willow Creek Crystal Lake, the Faith Leaders of McHenry County, McHenry County Outreach, Warp Corps, and Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry for their invaluable ongoing support.

Contributions to support the program can be made by sending 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 the administrative expenses of the program so 100% of all donations go directly to client assistance.

 

Poets Gather for June Reading at Warp Corps

With Coronavirus restrictions finally lifted the monthly poetry reading hosted by Kenneth Balmes and Patrick Murfin will return for the third month at Warp Corps, 114 North Benton Street in Woodstock a 7 pm, Wednesday June 9.

These reading were the first reopening of the lively McHenry County poetry scene when they were launched in April.  Poets spanning generations and styles have participated.

Poets are invited to sign in and the public is invited to enjoy their work.  The event is free of charge.  Coffee is available and participants are invited to bring the other beverages of their choice.

Poetry Night at Warp Corps Spans Generations

When Poetry Night at Warp Corps ushered in a revival of the live spoken word scene in McHenry County as Coronavirus restrictions finally began to ease last month something remarkable happened.  The poets who read their work spanned generations.  About half of the readers who gathered that night were veterans and regulars on the lively local poetry scene north of 60.  The other half were young people 14 to maybe 20 who find congenial support and a safe haven at Warp Corps, the skate board/art/yoga shop on the Square in Woodstock that also does extensive social service outreach. 

Although generations were missing between the two groups, each found an eager and supportive audience.  And they learned a lot about each other in the process.  The young people wrote with great feeling about their lives and angst that goes with growing up and not quite fitting in with expectations or assigned identities.  The older generation recognized a lot of their own youthful experiences in them.  The youthful poets learned that the elders felt deeply and still saw the world with wonder, that they, too, loved, grieved, and celebrated.

Kenneth Balmes and Patrick Murfin, conveners and hosts of the program hope to see the connections blossom again this month—and maybe even hear a voice or two from those missing  cohorts—this Wednesday, May 12 from 7 to 9 pm at Warp Corps, 114 North Benton Street in Woodstock.  Poets are encouraged to bring those pent-up verses to share for the Open Mic. 

Covid-19 precautions will be observed.  Masks are required and seating will be spaced for social distance.  In keeping with current guidelines for indoor events, attendance will be limited to 20.

The reading is free and open to the public.  Coffee and water will be available.  Guests can bring other beverages of their own including wine and beer for the adults.

Poetry Returns to Woodstock Tonight at Warp Corps

Before the Coronavirus pandemic changed everything, McHenry County in Chicago’s far northwest boonies was the home of a perhaps surprising serious outbreak of poetry.  Several venues held regular readings or programs that included verse.  A long running series at the Raue Center had just concluded but monthly programs at McHenry’s hip coffee house the Hidden Pearl more than took up that slack.  The Atrocious Poets group hosted programs at the Old McHenry County Court House in Woodstock as well as offering developmental programs for local poets.  Stage Left by the Woodstock Opera House featured poetry and spoken word at monthly events curated by story teller Jim May and musician Cassandra Vohs-Demann.  Poets turned up at the estimable local independent bookseller Between the Lynes.  Poetry was always included at Coffee House Open Mics at Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregations and a student coffee houses at McHenry County College,

Tree of Life was just about to host a major event, Poets in Resistance II which had to be cancelled just three days before it was scheduled when the state went into lockdown last March.

Since then crickets and home bound poets with plenty of time to work and themes and angst to explore with no outlet for their words.  Until now!

Kenneth Balmes and Patrick Murfin are cracking the door with a program at Warp Corps, 114 North Benton Street in Woodstock this evening, April 14 from 7 to 9 pm.  Poets are encouraged to bring those pent-up verses to share for the Open Mic.  Hopefully this will be the first in a new regular series.

Kenneth Balmes will co-host the Open Mic with Patrick Murfin.

Covid-19 precautions will be observed.  Masks are required and seating will be spaced for social distance.  In keeping with current guidelines for indoor events, attendance will be limited to 20.

The reading is free and open to the public.  Coffee and water will be available.  Guests can bring other non-alcoholic beverages of their own.

 

 

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. 

Compassion for Campers And Warp Corps Partner to Deliver Gear

Conditions like these can be deadly for the homeless.  Compassion for Campers donated funds to Hope Takes Action, a ministry of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul for emergency hotel rooms during the cold and snow emergency and camping gear for those still outside is available at Warp Corps in Woodstock.  Photo by Rosanne Jesperen Rath.

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 February 16 from 3:30 to 5 pm.  Client access to Warp Corps will be from the rear entrance on Jackson Street.

Heather Nelson, Carlos Salgado, and Rob Mutert of Warp Corps at a Compassion for Campers distribution.

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 winter cold and snow emergency.

“We also remind our unhoused friends that a program administered by Hope Takes Action, a ministry of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, can provide emergency hotel rooms while temperatures remain below 20 degrees,” said Patrick Murfin, Compassion for Campers coordinator. “Call Hope Takes Action at 815 385-3251 or contact local police who have agreed to provide transportation to the hotels.”

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. 

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 these programs call Hope Takes Action at 815 385-3251 for information or give to Compassion for Campers by sending 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.

  

 

Warp Corps folks at a Compassion for Campers distribution in Woodstock.

Compassion for Campers, the program that provides supplies and gear for the McHenry County homeless who have no reliable shelter, has announced a revised schedule of  distributions for the remainder of the cold weather months.  The program is going to once a month service instead of every two weeks in February, March, and April.   

According to Compassion for Campers coordinator Patrick Murfin, “After discussions with our great volunteers and in recognition of the difficulties we have in reaching the homeless population we aim to serve, all distributions will be held 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.”  Client access to Warp Corps will be from the rear entrance on Jackson Street.

Distributions will be held on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30-5 pm on the following dates—February 16, March 16, and April 13. 

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.  At the conclusion of the distribution all remaining supplies will be packed for storage and the host area will be cleaned and disinfected. 

Camping gear laid out at First Church in Crystal Lake on January 19.

The Compassion for Campers warm weather outdoor program will resume in May at church sites and will probably resume rotating between Crystal Lake, Woodstock, and McHenry.  More information on that will be forthcoming.

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.

Volunteers are still needed to help with the distribution, especially younger folks in good health.  Contact Patrick Murfin at pmurfin@sbcglobal.net  or phone 815 814-5645 if you are available on Tuesday afternoons.  Donations can be made by sending 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.

Compassion for Campers Has New Gear for a New Year in Woodstock

Compassion for Campers volunteers and Warp Corp personnel at a November distribution

With the support of the Faith Leaders of McHenry County, Warp Corps, and Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church volunteers Compassion for Campers, the program that provides supplies and gear for the McHenry County homeless who have no steady shelter, will hold a special New Year’s week distribution at be at Warp Corps, 114 North Benton Street in Woodstock on Tuesday January 5 from 3:30 to 5 pm.  Clients are asked to use the back entrance on Jackson Street.

“The mild, relatively dry December has given way to frigid overnight temperatures, wet heavy snow, and worse ice,”  according to Compassion for Campers facilitator Patrick Murfin.  “The unhoused who must spend all or much of their time camping out or sleeping in vehicles can rely on our program for good tents, sleeping bags, pads, tarps, stoves and fuel, gloves, hats, scarfs, warm winter wear, personal hygiene products, and non-perishable food.”

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 buildings 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.  At the conclusion of the distribution all remaining supplies will be packed for storage and the host area will be cleaned and disinfected. 

Volunteers are needed to help with the distribution, especially younger folks in good health.  Contact Patrick Murfin at pmurfin@sbcglobal.net  or phone 815 814-5645 if you are available on Tuesday afternoons.  Distributions are scheduled two weeks apart and will rotate between sites in Woodstock, Crystal Lake, and McHenry.  Donations to continue this work can be made by sending 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 to the church. 

Warp Corps to Host Compassion for Campers Distribution in Woodstock

Camping gear laid out at First United Methodist Church in McHenry for the first indoor distribution of the season on November 10.

Compassion for Campers, the program that provides supplies and gear for the McHenry County homeless who have no steady shelter, will hold its second indoor distribution for the winter at Warp Corps, 114 North Benton Street, Woodstock on Tuesday, November 24 from 3:30 to 5 pm.  

Warp Corps is dedicated to preventing suicide, substance use disorder, and homelessness particularly among at-risk youth.  Clients are asked to use the rear entrance on Jackson Street.  The door will be marked.

Pictured from left to right are members of the Warp Corps Team--Carlos Salgado, Julius Coronado, Jesse Soto, Warp Corps founder Rob Mutert, Heather Nelson,  and Natalie Hume.

Compassion for Campers is rising to the challenges presented by the latest Coronavirus mitigation orders while making sure the unhoused are served.

Clients will be Covid-19 screened out side 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.  At the conclusion of the distribution all remaining supplies will be packed for storage and the host area will be cleaned and disinfected. 

Volunteers are needed to help with the distribution, especially younger folks in good health.  Contact Patrick Murfin at pmurfin@sbcglobal.net  or phone 815 814-5645 if you are available on Tuesday afternoons.  Distributions are scheduled two weeks apart and will rotate between sites in Woodstock, Crystal Lake, and McHenry.  Donations to continue this work can be made by sending 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 to the church.

This distribution is sponsored The Faith Leaders of McHenry County, Warp Corps, Compassion for Campers, and Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church volunteers.