About The Organization

How was Lazarus House started and why? 

Lazarus House opened its doors in June 1997. Founder Darlene Marcusson realized that there were "hidden" homeless people from our community. As she brought recognition to the fact that people were giving the appearance of living "normal" lives but really sleeping in their car or shelters in communities 10 miles or more away, Lazarus House began operations.

Where are you located? 

We lease space from the St. Charles Free Methodist Church, 214 Walnut Street, St. Charles. The church is at the corner of Walnut and Third streets (one block south of Hwy 64 and one block west of Hwy 31.) Our entrance is on the Third Street side of the church.

How is Lazarus House unique? 

• Lazarus House serves men, women and children. It is the only shelter available in the Tri-Cities area and western rural Kane County.
• Lazarus House provides a variety of services through its three main programs:
  1. The Emergency Shelter (with a Women and Children's Day Center)
  2. The Center for Transitional Living
  3. The Outreach/Homeless Prevention Program
  These programs, and the support of more than 50 social service agencies, help provide the specific services needed by each person and family. At Lazarus House professional staff assist homeless persons and those at risk of homelessness in assessing their needs and developing goals to retain or regain their independence.
• A national effort is in place to create community-based Continuums of Care. A Continuum of Care is a community plan to deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are homeless as they move to stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency. It includes action steps to end and prevent a return to homelessness. The Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, and Outreach/Homeless Prevention programs at Lazarus House are cornerstones of the Continuum of Care for the area Lazarus House serves.
• In addition, the State of Illinois Comprehensive Housing Plan identifies priorities for the development of affordable housing and related supportive services for those most in need. The plan identifies very low-income households, low-income senior citizens, low-income persons with disabilities, and the homeless as its four top priority areas. Lazarus House serves these four groups. Having emergency shelter, transitional housing and homeless prevention provides a unique and cost effective continuum of solutions to the varied problems of homelessness.

What percentage of your expenses is overhead? 

• Overhead expenses in fiscal year 2006 were 11%. However, if volunteer time and food donations were taken into account on our financial statements the real overhead would be under 9%.
• Overhead expenses cover: planning and managing the growth and variety of programs offered; obtaining added funding from foundations, government agencies, businesses, and individuals; complying with the increased financial complexity of grant making institutions.

How long has your organization been in existence? What is the history of your organization? 

Please see our About page to learn more about our organization.

Is Lazarus House a faith-based organization? 

Yes. Lazarus House is a gift from God, but people of all faiths or no faith are welcome. Bible studies and worship services are offered but not required.

From what sources do you derive funding? 

• Lazarus House receives funding from several different sources at the Federal, State and local levels.
• Federal Government Grants include Kane County Community Development Block Grant, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
• The Illinois Department of Human Services provides us with funding at the State level for Rental Assistance, Homeless Youth and general operating purposes. Other State level funding comes from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
• Local community funding comes through several sources including the St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia Community Chest/United Ways, 708 Mental Health Boards, several Foundation Grants, and numerous churches and individual contributions.

---

About Donations

What donations do you accept? 

We accept perishable foods, items from our needs list, and financial gifts. Please see our Donations page for more details.

When can I drop off donations? 

Donations may be dropped off at the main entrance between the hours of 8 AM and 9 PM Mondays through Saturdays or 5 to 9 PM Sundays. When possible, we recommend avoiding Sundays and noon-1 PM and 7-8 PM weekdays when it takes longer for staff to answer the door.

How is food provided? 

Daily meals at Lazarus House are provided by a wide network of church and community support. Food is supplemented with donations from restaurants, grocers and businesses.

Does Lazarus House have a food pantry? 

No, Lazarus House keeps a limited supply of pantry items on hand and primarily serves perishable foods. If you would like to donate pantry items, please consider donating to the Tri-Cities Salvation Army pantry in St. Charles, or St. Peter's pantry in Geneva, or the Batavia Interfaith pantry in Batavia, or the Elburn food pantry in Elburn.

---

About Volunteers

Do you need volunteers? 

Absolutely. Lazarus House would not survive without the time and talent of volunteers. Volunteers are critical to our operations. Please see our Volunteer page for more information.

How many volunteers does Lazarus House have? 

• We estimate that over 1,600 volunteers assist the program each year with over 16,000 hours of labor. They prepare and serve meals, or assist our staff with operational and administrative support, and on a variety of special projects.
• The food provided at Lazarus House, 5,000 meals each month, is donated by churches, individuals and local businesses.
• More than 42 churches or community groups provide volunteers in any given month.
• Lazarus House has received the Illinois Governor's Hometown Award, recognizing the impact of volunteerism on the community.

---

About Who We Help

Who can stay at Lazarus House? 

People who are homeless and are connected to St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and western rural Kane County through previous address, jobs, close relatives or school, should Contact us to determine if Lazarus House is an appropriate place for them.

How many people stay at Lazarus House each year? 

The average number of persons served per night (on a calendar year basis) increased from 28 in fiscal year 1999 to 59 in fiscal year 2006, an 111% increase. In fiscal year 2007, due to the impact of newly available rental subsidies, the average number of guests dropped to 58. Thanks to available rental subsidies that assist qualifying low-income persons, some households were able to return to permanent housing earlier than they would have otherwise. We continue to pursue rental assistance grants to help prevent people from losing their housing.

The agency continues to help a number of "food only" guests, from 5 to 10 per night. These individuals currently have housing, but are having difficulty maintaining it. Lazarus House provides meals, rental assistance, and other support services in an effort to prevent homelessness. We also help callers every day who are seeking help and referral.

How long can people stay at Lazarus House? 

Every new guest is asked to sign a simple behavior agreement and encouraged to set goals and work with their case manager. As long as they are keeping the agreement, making progress on their goals and working with their case manager, there is no time limit on their stay. All guests are strongly encouraged to apply to the Center for Transitional Living, which is a 2-year program.

How do people qualify to stay in the Center for Transitional Living? 

• To qualify to stay at in the CTL, the person must be a guest in the Emergency Shelter and demonstrate an ability to stabilize their lives, and an interest in taking the next step in returning to permanent housing.
• Qualifying guests will have a mini-apartment for which they pay modest rent (10% of their income, which also covers all their food, utilities, and support services).
• Guests can stay in the CTL for up to two years, provided they consistently follow their occupancy agreement. During this period they are provided strong case management to help them address the issues causing homelessness and to support them in returning to successful independent living in permanent housing.
• Guests who successfully leave the CTL receive half of their 10% occupancy fee back as well as assistance with finding and furnishing an apartment.

---

About How We Help

What help does Lazarus House provide? 

• Safe shelter, food, personal hygiene items and shower and laundry facilities, clothing through the local clothes closet, health care through a local free clinic and other local funding.
• Case management and referrals to the homeless and those at risk of homelessness with the goal of helping people retain or regain independent living.
• Employment assistance and skills upgrade.
• Classes that support successful living.
• Services and programs focused on women and children at the Women and Children's Day Center, located across the street from the main shelter.
• The Center for Transitional Living program provides more extended housing and services to qualifying homeless persons, including space for families to stay together.
• Outreach and homeless prevention assistance for qualifying households that are struggling to pay their rent and utilities (through one-time and ongoing rental and utility assistance and case management services).

What does a Case Manager do? 

• Assess the reason for homelessness.
• Coach guests to develop and successfully implement a plan to address their issues.
• Link guests to needed services in the community and to federal and state programs, including access to mental health and substance abuse services if indicated.
• Help secure transportation and transport guests to appointments as needed.
• Provide budget and credit advice.
• Provide guidance, caring, and encouragement.

What is the Outreach/Homeless Prevention Program about? 

• The goal of the Outreach/Homeless Prevention program is to offer services, such as rental/utility assistance, and referrals to those in need in our community in order to prevent homelessness and support the well being of individuals and their families.
• Lazarus House staff have always tried to assist people who call for help. In 2006, Lazarus House expanded and formalized its outreach by hiring dedicated staff to handle the increased demand for these services. Grants have financed a portion of increased staff costs and all of the rental subsidy payments. Other staff continue to assist with Outreach as needed.
• With expanded resources, Lazarus House works with at-risk households to identify their needs. The Outreach staff offer case management, financial counseling, and referral services. Households that meet grant criteria can apply for and obtain one-time or ongoing rental assistance. To date this program has been an important help to enable qualifying low-income persons to obtain or retain housing in the community.

What are your goals and outcome measures? 

• The primary goals of the agency are to:
  1. Help homeless persons return to independent living with the skills and habits needed for long-term success.
  2. Offer services and referrals to those in need in our community in order to prevent homelessness and support the well being of individuals and their families.
• A computerized client tracking system and outcome evaluation measurement system is in place to monitor daily attendance, incoming needs and progress in achieving individual and overall program goals.
• Results from last fiscal year include the following results for those homeless persons with specific needs: 98% received case management, 96% received medical care, 84% received mental health services, 71% received dental care, 92% accessed legal services, 62% achieved continuing education or job training goals, 55% moved into transitional or independent housing, 75% obtained or improved employment, 60% received substance abuse services, 71% obtained independent transportation and 100% of clients received food, shelter, and emergency services.
• For those households receiving ongoing rental subsidies in the first 18 months of the program, multiple positive outcomes occurred besides housing: 86% of households in the program learned to follow a monthly budget for the first time, 52% of households obtained access to new benefits to improve their finances and/or health, 38% of households helped include children, who can avoid being uprooted by homelessness, 31% of households had been homeless and were able to return to housing much sooner than they would have without this program, and 10% were able to leave domestic violence situations.
• In 2006, Lazarus House received the Chamber of Commerce outstanding nonprofit award.

What does the Center for Transitional Living offer? 

Case management focused especially on enhancing income, employment, skill development, budgeting and in-house training, including basic technology training and internet access, and the skills needed to one day live independently in permanent housing.

What happens at the Women and Children's Day Center? 

The Women and Children's Day Center, located at 15 S. Third St, across the street from the Emergency Shelter entrance, provides a homelike space for homeless women and children to use from morning until bedtime. Its goal is to provide an appropriate setting for women and children to focus on and achieve their goals. The center includes a small living room, dining room, kitchen area, two baths with showers and a bathtub, along with a fenced outdoor play area. Case managers meet and follow up with women to assess their needs and create an action plan to address those needs. Life skills and classes geared toward women and children's needs are held regularly- using Lazarus House staff and external experts.

What classes are taught in the Learning Lab? 

• Education staff plans and delivers a learning curriculum to address diverse needs of our guests, including topics such as: Getting a job; parenting; self-esteem; healthy relationships, anger management, and the computer.
• Classes are available for guests of both the CTL and Emergency Shelter as well as those at risk of homelessness in our community.