Linnae Fitzgerald with Stateline Works of Mercy stands in front of the United Church of Beloit, where the nonprofit’s laundry and shower facilities will be located.
Linnae Fitzgerald with Stateline Works of Mercy stands in front of the United Church of Beloit, where the nonprofit’s laundry and shower facilities will be located.
A local group is opening a new site providing laundry and shower services to the city’s adult homeless population.
Stateline Works of Mercy is expected to open Sept. 8 and will be attached to the United Church of Beloit at 655 Bluff St. in the space that Family Promise of Greater Beloit used to call home.
The nonprofit recently received a $4,500 grant from the Stateline Community Foundation that, along with donated funds, went toward buying two washing machines and dryers. Bathrooms and showers on-site will also be available for use.
People will be able to wash and dry a load of laundry, including the clothes they are wearing at the time, and use the showers. Stateline Works of Mercy will provide scrubs if people plan to wash the clothes they were wearing.
A small waiting area is also part of the facility, where a books and computers will be available for use under staff direction, in addition to coffee, water and light snacks.
The center will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and people will have to make an appointment to use it.
“We prefer for people to call to make an appointment because it is unlikely to make an appointment and use the facility the same day,†said Karen Kavanaugh, public relations with Stateline Works of Mercy. “We will be staggering appointments to ensure the laundry and shower services are available.â€
About Stateline Works of Mercy
The nonprofit organization came together about two years ago with charitable status was granted by the federal government in 2021.
“A group of volunteers in the St. Dismas Jail Ministry realized that many released people were ending up on the street,†Kavanaugh said. “They began meeting regulators to see if something could be done to help them in some small way. It was apparent that showers and laundry were not being addressed.â€
This observation inspired the group to start a facility in Beloit. The center focuses only on the adult homeless population.
Stateline Works of Mercy has around 40 active members and is accepting volunteers. Interested volunteers can email info@statelineworksofmercy.com.
“Every human needs the opportunity to bathe and wear clean clothing,†Kavanaugh said. “This is the right thing to do, and our faith teaches us to see the face of Christ in those we meet.â€
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