Local Compassion Partners and Ministry

In order to serve locally, we’ve been building relationships within our community to make the most impact with our resources. With these partners and affiliates we are able to more successfully reach those in need of a loving touch, a listening ear or a hand up in a time of crisis. Some of our current partners and affiliate volunteer opportunities are: Each partner has a tab with info and contact information.

• Blessing Barn

  The heart of Blessing Barn is to provide basic life needs, such as clothing and household items, to needy individuals and/or families, who cross our path through word of mouth or referral.

  To achieve this, Blessing Barn will oversee the collection of donated goods and services, and their distribution, to those in need. Through the generosity of the community, and the distribution provided by Blessing Barn, together, we will provide a higher quality of life to our recipients. For details contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit Blessingbarn.org.

• Crystal Lake Food Pantry

  The Crystal Lake Food Pantry offers temporary food assistance to Crystal Lakeresidents who qualify. Comprised of a group of volunteers from over twenty local churches, the Crystal Lake Food Pantry focuses on meeting the needs of the local hungry. Contact Sandy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to volunteer with the Willow Team.

• Community Helpers

  Community Helpers serves individuals who cannot afford to hire help, but have materials on hand. We’ve helped single parents, the elderly, widows and those with special needs. Projects are limited to those that can be completed in one day. Roofing and ladders are not included for safety reasons. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for project consideration.

• Homelessness Ministry

  Our PADS daytime warming house, starting in October, is looking for people to serve with on-site hosting, lunch preparation or donating supplies. The ministry runs weekly from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more details.

• Kids Hope USA

  One simple thing will make a big difference in the life of an at-risk child: One-on-one, positive attention from a responsible, caring adult. KIDS HOPE USA develops these one-on-one relationships through the creation of church-school partnerships that pair church members with at-risk kids in supportive, mentoring relationships. KIDS HOPE USA mentors spend just one hour per week, reading, talking, playing and listening to a child at school. By helping the child feel loved and valued, they help that child to learn, grow and succeed.

  Contact Sue at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to volunteer with the Willow Team. http://www.kidshopeusa.org/

• Safe Families

  Since 2005, Safe Families for Children has offered sanctuary to thousands of children, minimizing the risk for abuse or neglect and giving parents the time and tools they need to help their families thrive. The ultimate goal is to strengthen and support parents so they can become Safe Families for their own children.

  Contact Shelly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to volunteer with the Willow Team. http://www.safe-families.org/

• Home of the Sparrow

  Imagine for a moment that you are a mother of two young children working 40 hours a week, earning minimum wage—that’s roughly $15,000 per year. How do you afford rent, health care, food, and basic transportation?

  Homelessness, hunger and poverty still haunt our county’s most vulnerable women and children. Home of the Sparrow has been making a difference since 1995 – to provide housing and supportive services to homeless and low-income women who want to improve their lives and become self-sufficient.

  For more details contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit http://www.h-o-s.org/

• Special Friends

  Willow Crystal Lake is launching a new ministry for special needs individuals (handicapped with physical and/or developmental disabilities) in our congregation. In order to best develop programs and activities that allow meaningful participation at church, we need to hear from you to build this ministry by gathering an assessment of who would like to be served in this ministry, as well as serve within it. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details about Special Friends.

• Human Trafficking

  Human Trafficking forums help raise awareness of sex and labor trafficking in our own backyard. Learn to recognize "red flags" in your community, and how each of us can take measures to combat exploitation and slavery. Human Trafficking forums are held quarterly at Willow Crystal Lake. Watch our Classes page for upcoming dates [Grow/Classes]. Contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for additional details about this ministry.