Circle Urban Ministries Builds a Circle of Hope

Circle Urban Ministries has a simply stated but ambitious mission to “bring hope and shape futures.”

This highly respected community development organization has been helping under-served and under-resourced families in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side for more than five decades.

Brother Andre Hinton, Outreach Coordinator for Circle Urban Ministries, explains that the organization, “strives to create safe and productive neighborhoods where people can access opportunities to thrive.”

He says, “We work to create a circle of support that addresses multiple needs simultaneously.  Circle Urban Ministries hosts programs to address poverty, housing, hunger, Medicaid and SNAP assistance and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Support through the NAMI Chicago Helpline. Legal support through Westside Center for Justice and the disability lawyers at Nash Disability Law assists those needing help in applying for SSI disability. We have seen God’s love impact thousands of lives.”

Founded in 1974 by Dr. Glen and Lonni Kehrein, Circle Urban Ministries started as the Circle Community Center, a small faith-based group with a big vision.

It began with a three-pronged approach by opening a youth mentoring center, family counseling services and a medical clinic. Since then, it has grown into a thriving community ecosystem. It has driven many important initiatives, including opening a new school, the Circle Rock Charter School, helping rehab properties in Austin for affordable housing, and starting its LIFT performing arts program, which inspires young people to explore their aptitude for the arts.

The organization has successfully developed self-sustaining partnerships that have created multiplier effects which generate millions of dollars in community revenue every year.

One of Circle Urban Ministries’ major areas of focus these days is addressing food insecurity.

Chicago is experiencing a severe hunger crisis, with one recent report stating 25 percent of the population faces food insecurity and 36 percent cannot afford basic living costs, a situation exacerbated by rising grocery prices and expected SNAP benefit cuts.

“We are working to combat this problem through our food pantry and by helping families in need apply for food and medical benefit programs,” Brother Andre notes.

We encourage you to join us at Nash Disability Law in supporting this important and highly effective organization.

To donate, volunteer, or just to learn more about the life-changing work of Circle Urban Ministries you can visit their website: circleurban.org. You can also email them at info@circleurban.org or call them at 773-921-1446.