Philemon House – October 2024

“The greatest crime in any society is leaving children without hope, without justice, and without a chance to succeed.”  ~Marian Wright Edelman

We are grateful for the many opportunities this month to bring hope and support to youth and adults alike. We’re excited to introduce D, our new resident at Philemon House. He’s a high school student who enjoys basketball and golf, and he’s adjusting well to the program’s routine.

In our IYC ministries, we have some positive updates. We’ve been providing lunch and conducting weekly Bible studies at St. Charles. Additionally, our ministry in Warrenville has reopened after a temporary closure due to a fire at their facility. We are thankful for the chance to reconnect with them.

 

Louis is continuing his weekly visits to Cook County Jail, where they are focusing on the story of Joseph. With the holiday season approaching, we’re also contributing toys to the CCJ for their staff toy drive, supporting the families of all DOC staff. Stay tuned for more information on how you can get involved if you’re interested!.

Philemon House – September 2024

Recently Louis and Julie Dooley, our founders, were asked what made them want to create Philemon House originally. 

They answered, “We were going into IYC Warrenville weekly, and some of the youth really touched our hearts. We saw their potential and realized they could thrive with resources, good people around them, and a safe environment.” Please pray for wisdom as we expand, add staff, and select our next resident to the glory of God.

 

**Volunteer Opportunity!** One of Philemon House’s main ministries is the correspondence course ministry, which sends Bible courses into prisons for inmates to complete. We also use these courses in our resident program. After completing the lessons and “What Do You Say” questions, students return them to us for grading and feedback. Our volunteers provide thoughtful encouragement and responses based on the students’ answers. We then issue a certificate of completion and send the next course. This ministry extends the Word to those in prison where Bible studies may not exist, and we’re actively seeking volunteers. If you wish to encourage those incarcerated by commenting on Bible courses, please email us at info@philemonhouse.org for more information.