It all started from a prayer...
A small group of people, concerned with the less-fortunate of Champaign-Urbana, came together and prayed about how to best minister to the lost, the addicted and the afflicted living among us.
On March 15, 1993 Restoration Urban Ministries opened its doors, handing out food without prejudice. Underestimating the depth of the issues, we were swamped with over 100 families seeking support during the first week alone. So many times we take things for granted, not realizing that there are hungry people fighting to survive and take care of their family right here in our community.
Getting to know the clients we served, their desires for life and their needs, led us to offer clothing and shelter on a small scale. We obtained a couple of houses and allowed a few men to seek shelter there when they were homeless. However, the needs were far greater than anticipated, again. We saw so many desperate families, single parents, couples and individuals that we felt compelled to acquire a larger facility. In 1995, we obtained a 22 unit motel on north Route 45, which was filled to capacity in no time. Too many were still homeless, too many were still hungry, too many still needed Jesus.
In late 1997, Restoration obtained facilities at 1207 N. Mattis Avenue in Champaign, IL. The 74 unit motel allows us to keep families in tact, giving each family unit its own private living space and saw our program transform from a homeless shelter to a transitional housing program, designed to help families make lasting changes in their lives and lifestyles with self-sufficiency as their goal.
In 2006 we moved our administrative offices to 1213 Parkland Court, our Resident Inn received a new street address, but remains in the same location.
Thank you for your support over the years. We look forward to the mighty work that the LORD shall do in this community during the coming years. We cannot do it without caring individuals such as you.
