Home Sweet Home Ministries - Bloomington, Illinois

The G. O. C.

There does seem to be a major problem with homelessness in the local area, so naturally there is a wait list for actually getting in the shelter. I haven't gotten in myself.
But you can get 3 meals a day from here all week including the weekend, and they'll direct you to other programs that can possibly help with housing or shelter in the meantime.
There's also the junction right next to it which provides a bathroom, wifi, and you can just hang out inside for a while.
If nothing else, don't be too proud to get free food.
Don't starve yourself, it's hard to keep warm on an empty stomach.

Audrey K.

Love staff most sincere. Seems too many getting to comfort. Many things you need some help but you should be able to go to many areas in public to get information and find out. Ask questions of case managers ask if they have been through. Ladies stop the gossip it's community living!! Rules should be consistent! Many volunteers and runs on donations. They need a grant writer. Remember pe over 50 have much to offer. Lights out at 11 pm not 7 we all have different needs.

Maggie D.

I’m not homeless, just not from here. I was passing through on a long multi-state road trip when my dog bit someone, requiring me to stay in this town for ten days. Unfortunately this coincided with a cell tower outage that put me out of work (I’m a gig industry worker and delivery business owner). Being an honorably discharged veteran, I first went to the VFW, which recommended that I go to Home Sweet Home Ministries as they have private rooms reserved for veterans, and that I must be there by ten am the following morning…

Seeing that I would be out of gas long before 10 am, I relocated from the Loves in Normal to the ministry about half past midnight, to ensure that I would indeed be present at the appointed time. Upon arrival I noticed a couple of people sleeping on benches, so I decided not to indulge in practicing my music (out of consideration for people sleeping, not wanting to disturb them). So I kept my engine running to power my Wi-Fi and my devices, and settled in for a long session of “Netflix and chill”. Sometime shortly after 4:30 AM I dozed off.

At 5:30 AM I was rudely awakened by a woman who said “What are YOU doing here?” Not kindly “Excuse me, sorry to wake you, but is there anything I can help you with?”

I responded kindly to her rudeness, explaining that I was told I had to be there by 10 but would be out of gas before then, so I was merely there early waiting for the appointed time. She again responded rudely by saying “This is private property, you can’t park here.” I said “If I can’t park here but I’m supposed to be here, where should I park?” She said “Park on the street at the side of the building.” Which I did, briefly.

As I became more fully awake, this exchange really bothered me. There were no indications that the parking lot was only for the staff, and I was treated like some kind of nuisance rather than like a human being. The annoyance she had displayed was unmistakable. And I’d been parked there for five hours, had walked and watered and fed my dog there, etc, and no one in all the time before I dozed off had approached at all to advise me that parking there was not allowed.

The blatant hypocrisy of people who pretend to be Christian is both appalling and downright evil. Even if I had been homeless, that’s not an excuse to speak to anyone in the manner I had been spoken to.

I own a business that isn’t making me rich, but it is keeping my head above water (when the cell towers are working, at least). There is no way that I will submit to the type of treatment that this woman displayed. I’m relocating back to Loves, where professional drivers are respected and appreciated. I’ll figure out some other way of getting through this very brief hardship without begging for help from people who proudly demonstrate that they do not live by the principles which they claim to uphold.

Ann S.

I’ve seen many people live at Home Sweet Home and get back on their feet. The people who are appreciative are doing the right thing for the right reason, and appreciate the wonderful bed, food, counseling and accountability.

Those who want to abuse every system certainly seem to be considerably less appreciative and grateful.

I’ve volunteered there, used the food coop for my own needs, and I’ve known some people who work there. Thank you HSHM for your continued love of humanity!

Alex H.

One of the better homeless shelters in Illinois since I've been to more than one, and there's others that can't even compare to HSHM. They took my family of 4 in as long as u came back with clean background, cause they make u go to the police station to bring back a slip saying ur cleared. They do help feed the people there, with snacks and coming up for seconds. They also help community people to come in and eat dinner and let em be on their way right after too. The staff are alright, the people living there is another story. But they did,and do kick out homeless people too cuzthey did it to us too. But the homeless shelter we had to go to after HSHM made home sweet home pretty nice, so it's what u make of it,and I did enjoy my stay at HSHM even if it didnt end as pretty, but we did make it 3 months and I still recommend it for singles and families and just anybody in need of a homeless shelter, to choose HSHM.

Law R.

This place is heaven sent. People working here will go out their way to help you. Unlike the sally, this place is clean, professional and safe.

Extensive background check to get in though.
Some staff will treat like a kid, but if you stay clam, cool and collected then this place is like a second home.. Home sweet Home..

Daniel S.

I am very grateful that I had a Grandmother that taught me about the Bible and the love God had for us in sending Jesus to live among us and to die a brutal death for our sins. Because if my first experience with the Christian faith was with Home Sweet Home Ministries I don't know if I would be very interested. it's appalling that they would use the Christian faith to cloak themselves in the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians we are called to love our neighbors as Christ loved the church. But that is not what you receive at HSHM. I have struggled with alcoholism and mental health issues for many years. And throughout many years I have sought out and received help from HSHM. Recovery is a process and unfortunately the few times that I did receive help I was not successful. I had never broken any rules besides testing positive for marijuana once a few years ago.
Well I just completed residential treatment at Chestnut Health Systems, and excited to begin my life in sobriety, like a lot of people new in recovery a stable healthy living environment is absolutely crucial to the success of someone trying to stay sober. I went to HSHM today and while waiting to do my screening I was told by a guy that had just moved in that there was 5 empty beds so I shouldn't have a problem getting in. Well when I met with Steve he informed me that a person is only allowed to stay there 3 times in a lifetime! I couldn't believe it. Where in the Bible does it say we should put limits on when or how we are going to help our brothers and sisters? What kind of example of Christ's love is that? The only option a person has coming out of treatment is HSHM or the Salvation Army which is infested with drugs and alcohol. Not a good place for someone trying to stay sober. I thank God for people like Pastor Charles Ahrens at Abundant Life Church downtown Bloomington who TRULY imulates what a real Christian looks like. Someone who loves unconditionally, and does not pass judgement. It's really too bad that Home Sweet Home Ministries has conformed to the patterns of this world. It is my earnest prayer that the community would see this business for what it is....a business, and consider giving their resources to a real ministry that truly helps....the least of these!

Sherry L.

I love this charitable organization. My husband and I have volunteered there for several months. And we love how they help those in need when they need it most, and help them to become more self-reliant.