Mission Statement:

The Outreach Program of Kenilworth Union Church is guided by God's calling to help others as found in scripture:

Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the one of the least of these of these, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)

The Apostle Paul writes: "For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:14)

The writer of the letters of John asks, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his neighbor in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?"
(1 John 3:17)

Program Goals:

The outreach program of KUC provides annual grants to agencies that address three different kinds of need in the wider community.

  1. Survival - Agencies and organizations that provide basic services of a) food for the hungry, b) clothing and shelter for the poor and homeless, c) health services for the poor.
  2. Recovery and Self Improvement - Agencies and organizations that help people develop the habits and skills necessary to lead productive lives through counseling, discipline, job readiness training, job placement, plus supportive services for the transition to independent living.
  3. Community Support - Agencies and organizations that facilitate richer and fuller lives through education, counseling, advocacy, recreation, services to the aging and the dying.

The church currently supports just under 50 social service and educational organizations - all within the greater Chicago Metro area. Each agency is represented by a liaison from the congregation. A listing of the agencies and their respective websites can be found on the Benevolence Agencies page.