History of Contact Ministries

Contact Ministries was founded in 1978 by five Springfield churches including First United Methodist Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, First Congregational Church, First Christian Church, and First Episcopal Church. These churches felt many of the poor and needy of Springfield and the surrounding communities had trouble accessing the social service system, and that one central location providing information could better help the less fortunate acquire services. Thus, Contact Ministries became an informational, referral and advocacy agency for the needy in our community.

As Contact Ministries became established within the social service delivery system of Springfield, it became evident that many of the clients who sought services were still “falling through the cracks” of the system. This realization, along with a commitment to follow the commands of God to love and serve your neighbor, prompted the Board of Directors to redirect the focus of Contact Ministries to one of providing direct services.

Contact Ministries has established itself as an agency committed to providing assistance to those in need. The agency provides rental and utility assistance, counseling and advocacy, food, clothing, prescription, and transportation assistance, holiday assistance and seasonal assistance such as fans in summer and coats and blankets in winter. The agency also directs an extensive referral system that links the disadvantaged with other human service agencies.

In November 1993, Contact Ministries expanded its service to the less fortunate of the area by opening an emergency shelter for homeless women with children. The shelter provides all of life’s basic needs – food, personal care items, clothing, and laundry facilities. In addition, residents are given access to phones, transportation, job notices, housing possibilities and child-care so that the mothers can find employment and permanent housing. The Contact Ministries staff provides individual assessment, case management, tutoring, job counseling and mentoring, special programs and activities and other supportive services to the shelter residents.