Elam Davies Social Service Center

Welcome to the Chicago Lights Elam Davies Social Service Center (EDSSC).
We welcome and support adults in times of need by offering individual supportive service assistance, including food, clothing, and referrals to other social service agencies.

Specific programs are offered to meet specialized needs, including computer classes and housing seminars.

For thirty years the Center has carried out the vision of former Fourth Presbyterian Church Pastor Elam Davies: to serve those in need with dignity and respect. Our success is sustained by well-structured, responsive programs, which are described below.

Hours

9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

Closed from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for staff lunch

Closed from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Tuesdays for staff meeting

Back to top

Lunch Program

Receive lunches in the Loggia

Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.
One bag lunch per week
Guests may be registered during this time
A resource information table is available

Back to top

Housing Information Seminar

No appointment necessary
Seminar is a prerequisite to receiving an individual housing information appointment
Topics covered include
          Subsidized housing
          Single-Room Occupancy (SRO)
          Affordable housing
          Available resources

Back to top

Computer Classes

Hosted at the EDSSC

Class registration required
Six-week course meeting once a week
for an hour or three-week course
meeting twice a week for an hour
Creating Documents classes cover—
Literacy, spelling, grammar, and proficiency in Microsoft Word
Getting to Know the Computer class:
Introduction to the computer, basic Microsoft Word, and the Internet

Back to top

Food Pantry

By appointment only

Groceries provided for guests
Eligibility is once every two months
Cooking limitations and dietary restrictions accommodated
Through Consumer Choice, guests are given a shopping list and volunteer aide to guide them as they fill their cart with the allotted number of items they’d like from the pantry

Back to top

Share Shop (Clothing Closet)

By appointment only

20-minute sessions for the clothing closet
2 shopping bags provided
Eligibility is every two months

Back to top

Supportive Services

Referrals to other social service agencies; proper documentation may be required
Health-related referrals
Employment training resources
Assistance with public benefits application available by appointment

Back to top

Sunday Night Supper

Hosted in Fourth Church’s Anderson Hall

Guests are invited in at 4:00 p.m.
Health services available at 4:00 p.m.
Sunday Night Social Support Group meets at 4:00 p.m. in the Randolph Room
Dinner is served at 5:00 p.m.; guests must be seated at that time in order to
receive their meal.

All are invited to participate in afternoon jazz worship at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

For more information about Sunday Night Supper and other evening suppers,
click here.

Back to top

Volunteer Opportunities

Sunday Night Supper at the Elam Davies Social Service Center is an opportunity for community members to help serve the homeless. Dinner begins at 4:00 p.m. in Borwell Dining Room; volunteers are asked to come at 1:00 p.m. to help prepare and serve the meal.

Sandwich making opportunities are offered often. Many Fourth Church fellowship and enrichment programs participate in these events. For more information, contact Dan Hula (312.981.3567).

Donations of new and used clothing, nonperishable food items, clean towels, toiletries, and more are gladly accepted by the Social Service Center. To contribute any of these items, contact Dan Hula (312.981.3567).

Back to top

Contact Information

Address
126 E. Chestnut Street
Chicago, IL 60611.2014

Phone
312.787.2729, ext. 2222

Email
edssc@fourthchurch.org

Online
www.chicagolights.org

Social Service Center Photos

Monday Night and Sunday Night Christmas Suppers | December 2011

More information about the Elam Davies Social Service Center is available on the Chicago Lights website or by contacting Dan Hula (312.981.3567), Director of the EDSSC.

Back to top