The local church is the heartbeat of hope in our world. When tangible needs rise, relationships struggle, or people search for meaning, they often turn to the church for help. Willow is passionate about extending compassion and fighting for justice so that lives are restored, needs are fulfilled, hope is rekindled, and Jesus is revealed through tangible love.

The Chicagoland area—our communities—continue to face challenges day in and day out. Our church stands as an anchor of stability and a beacon of forward movement for many. While we can’t solve every systemic challenge our community faces, we can respond with dignity and love, creating ripples of transformation that extend far beyond what we can see.

Your above-and-beyond gift to the Year-End Fund fuels local compassion and justice initiatives that meet our neighbors exactly where they are, offering hope and help during trying times.

When you give, you help ensure:

• Children won’t go hungry and can engage better in school,
• Adults will have access to reliable transportation to keep jobs and advance careers,
• Families will see dignity restored and become community contributors, and
• Professional services will help prevent small problems from becoming major crises.

We love being a church that makes a difference in our communities. And we have an opportunity to do that as the year comes to a close.

Learn more and give by selecting “Year End Fund” in the drop down here.

Glimpses of Impact

Here’s a glimpse at how the 2024 Year-End-Fund made an impact:

• In 2025, it’s estimated that the Care Center will provide over 48,000 services to families in our community and the Community Resource Days will serve guests through over 1,900 visits.
• Back to School Bashes hosted at multiple campuses helped reach more than 6,500 students, sending them back to school ready!
• Care Center guests were able to visit the food store one time per month, receiving $200 worth of groceries that cost the church $20.
• 8,506 households visited the Care Center clothing store, representing approximately 32,184 people
• 207 families utilized the Care Center’s employment services and 365 utilized legal services, helping them create a more stable and sustainable future.
• In 2024, 55,670 Hope Packs were assembled to be gifted to every incarcerated individual in Illinois and an additional 72,561 were sent to facilities in 17 other states and 18 countries!

Stories of Hope

“Being here, I asked myself what I felt…and I realized that what you breathe is love and it feels like it.”—Raul, Care Center Guest

“It may seem like a small gift, but that was the biggest and greatest gift of all—helping others and thinking about others when the world has forgotten you.” —Hope Pack recipient

“We are so grateful to you. What we received today is great help, especially during this time when we are facing financial difficulties and it has been difficult for our family to even pay the bills. —Maria, Backpack Bash attendee