Restoration Urban Ministries
1213 Parkland Court, Champaign, IL 61821 | Phone: (217) 355-2662 | Email: [email protected] | Website: http://restorationurbanministries.net
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ABOUT
Restoration Urban Ministries (RUM) is a safe haven in East Central Illinois for needy families and individuals who want to take steps towards independent living. Since 1993, Restoration’s programs – a hotel-turned-residence, a food and clothing pantry, counseling and classes, and Chris-centered ministry – have been turning countless lives around, putting single parents, families, and couples back on track.
Restoration welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and stations in life. (The only denials are convicted sex offenders in the Transitional Housing Program). Once in the program, RUM provides temporary support to residents while providing them with educational, spiritual, and emotional opportunities for growth. In order to provide for a person’s physical needs, they primarily offer transitional housing and food distribution. In addition, RUM seeks to provide comprehensive care that includes classes and programs in personal, educational, and spiritual growth in order for individuals to live self-sufficiently and as part of a community.
HISTORY
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ –Matthew 25: 35-36 (NIV), RUM brochure
Restoration Urban Ministries was established in 1993 by Reverend Ervin T. Williams, Executive Director. The outreach program began by serving food from the back of a truck in 1993. The residential program began the same year in a four-bedroom house. It moved to a small apartment building and grew into a 22-unit motel. It transferred to its current location in 1997 at 1206 and 1213 Parkland Ct., Champaign, IL. In 2004, RUM acquired a 10,000 square foot warehouse at 1208 Parkland Ct. to provide worship, classrooms, childcare, and offices that were previously housed in rented space on Mattis Avenue. Currently three different churches converge in this facility for worship on Sundays.
RUM’s history of technology use varies. In 1999 RUM’s staff operated four Windows computers used for bookkeeping and communications. In 2008, a computer lab was installed on premises for resident use. However, because of abuse of computer rights, public access has been revoked until a monitor can be hired to operate the computer lab. Occasionally, computers have been available as part of an after-school program that meets at RUM. Today RUM provides about 14 Windows XP computers for the staff.
Today RUM operates on a budget of $700,000 a year. Church services are on Sunday at 8 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 6 p.m. On a weekly basis they also offer Sunday school, Bible Studies, and Prayer Group. Substance Support Groups meet three times per week. The food distribution center is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at no cost to those receiving food. Free clothing is distributed 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Some appliances and furniture are also available for distribution on a limited basis.
TESTIMONIALS
“Through Restoration Urban Ministries, I learned to change my thinking – to learn forgiveness and peace. They allowed me to find out who I really am – helped me uncover talents I didn’t even know I had.” – Roscoe
"I came to Restoration with nothing but a garbage bag of belongings. Through the hand of God and the love of those at Restoration, I left the richest man alive." - Romie
“I was surrounded by friends at Restoration – I felt like part of a family. It’s not just a housing center – it’s a new way of thinking and a perfect place to recover. After facing my biggest adversities, Restoration Urban Ministries helped me learn to grow spiritually." - Pete
“Restoration has given me the help I need, helping me stay of sound mind and strong in my faith. My time here has brought me closer to God." - Rebekah
"Without Restoration Urban Ministries, I would either be in jail or dead. I really believe in this program. I still need a lot of work, but it did save my soul and it's helping to restore people through Jesus Christ." - Dexter
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This CU wiki entry began as a UIUC research project. For more on that see Study of UC2B Anchor Institutions' Technology Use
