Our Office

The office of Joni and Friends Chicago is located at 915 Harger Road Suite 210 in Oak Brook, Illinois, just off the I-88 tollway, north of Cermak (22nd) off of Spring Road. We are minutes away from the Oak Brook Shopping Center. Our phone number is 630.573.2900.

We currently have four individuals on staff to serve your needs:

• Chicago Area Ministry Director Sandy Hay (top left)
• Church Relations Coordinator Paul Von Tobel (top right)
• Donor Relations Peggy Bernthal (bottom left)
• Project Coordinator Lindsey Kudwa (bottom right)

Our office is wheelchair accessible and we offer a full selection of Joni's books, cards and art. A variety of disability ministry materials are also available for sale and we have a lending library of useful books, CDs and other materials.

Ministries

Joni and Friends Chicago serves the Chicagoland area by orchestrating several ministry progams. These ministries include:

• Through the Roof - the development of church ministry
• Family Retreats - summer camps for families and individuals affected by disability
• Wheels for the World - the collection and delivery of wheelchairs to those in need
• Special Delivery - sharing Christ's love through relationships and personalized gifts

Through the Roof

Just like the men who lowered their paralyzed friend “through the roof” to get him closer to Jesus, Through the Roof equips churches to bring people with unique gifts and needs into the life-changing presence and power of Jesus Christ. We provide churches with awareness, training, resources and ongoing support through regional networks, all designed to start or expand disability ministry and outreach in their communities such as:

• Breaking down barriers
• Becoming more accessible and inclusive
• Being a buddy to one who is disabled
• Finding and training volunteers
• Giving parents a break through respite care

The mandate in Luke 14 is clear. Jesus calls us to “go out quickly” and bring in people with disabilities “so that My house will be full.”

Meet Kris

The very next day after Kris attended the Joni and Friends Chicago Disability Ministry Summit (workshop presenter, Dawn Clark, in picture), a family with a girl who is visually impaired came to her church. Praise God, a disability ministry was born! Kris was able to include the girl in children’s ministry because of the training she had just received. “Through the Roof will continue to give me the training and resources to enable me for the ministry that God will have me do,” said Kris.

Would you like to get connected with churches starting or expanding disability ministries in your area? Call the Chicago Office at 630.573.2900 or email pvontobel@joniandfriends.org.

Family Retreats

Life with a disability brings unique needs and challenges which heighten the stress and strain on the whole family. Family Retreat provides a dynamic five-day summer program that refreshes and strengthens the entire family affected by disability in a safe and accepting environment. Trained Short-Term Missionary (STM) volunteers extend the love of Christ by serving families in practical ways. Each retreat is an enriching and inspiring week where families and volunteers build lasting relationships, memories and a renewed sense of hope in God.

We sponsor two separate weeks of Family Retreats at the Oakwood Inn and Conference Center in Syracuse, IN located approximately 3½ hours from Chicago. Each week approximately 55 families and 150 STM's come together for an unforgettable week of fun, fellowship and refreshment that many tell us is like “a little slice of heaven.”

Meet Tim

While Tim (on left with his buddy, Dan), who has Down Syndrome and Autism, was sporting a smile during the week of Family Retreat, a violent tragedy occurred in his family back home. God foreknew Family Retreat was where Tim, his mom and sister needed to be. Tim’s mom Jearline said, “Thanks to all those at camp who supported us in prayer. We need to reach more people so they can feel this love in the midst of life’s infirmities.”

2008 Family Retreat Dates – June 9-13 and June 16-20. STM's will arrive one day earlier. For more information or to register, call the Chicago Office at 630.573.2900 or click here.

Wheels for the World

The explosive growth of Wheels for the World testifies to the critical need for wheelchair distributions in developing countries, where the cost of a wheelchair can equal a year’s wages. We collect used wheelchairs in the Chicagoland area year-round and ship them to correctional facilities in the United States. Once restored, the wheelchairs are sent overseas where short-term mission teams work diligently to provide the gift of mobility.

We also partner with Corazones Unidos (United Hearts), a Peruvian disability ministry, to send three teams of seating specialists, wheelchair mechanics and Spanish translators to Peru. The teams custom-fit wheelchairs to give the gift of mobility to individuals with disability. Offered with every wheelchair is a Bible written in Spanish and the good news that Jesus Christ loves and values each one of us.

Meet Tulio

Since Tulio (in center surrounded by Wheels for the World team) was paralyzed three years ago, he was bedridden and his wife (yellow shirt) attended to his needs full-time. That all changed when Tulio was fitted with a wheelchair specifically suited for his disability at our Wheels for the World Outreach in Peru. The best gift Tulio received was the transforming power of Jesus Christ as he accepted Him as the Lord and Savior of his life. Now he is ready to face each day and eternity with new hope and courage!

2008 Wheels for the World Peru Dates: November 6-15. For more information about the trips, call the Chicago Office at 630.573.2900 or click here.

To help us collect wheelchairs, call the Chicago Office at 630.573.2900 or contact Chair Corps representatives Fred and Mary Steinbach at 630.530.5968 or marysteinbach@aol.com.

Special Delivery

Special Delivery is a powerful and effective evangelism outreach model for churches. Groups and individuals prepare beautiful packages containing spiritual uplifting materials provided by Joni and Friends Chicago and deliver them to children and adults in homes, hospitals, care facilities or other institutions in their community. Through this ministry, doors are opened to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and relationships of spiritual encouragement and discipleship are built, connecting people with disabilities to the family of God. Each year hundreds of lives, affected by disabilities, are touched with hope and encouragement because of local churches who extend their hearts and hands through Special Delivery.

Meet Travis

Travis (orange shirt), a 18-year-old high school student, was paralyzed while trying to make a tackle in a football game. At a press conference to raise financial support for Travis' family, Special Delivery provided spiritual support. The package included Christ-centered gifts such as the Bible and a book called “Why?” by Anne Graham Lotz. In quiet moments, Travis’ mom has begun to engage with God through these books and materials. She is happy to say, “This is helping!”

If your church or other Christian organization is interested in Special Delivery, call the Chicago Office at 630.573.2900 or email pvontobel@joniandfriends.org.

Supporting Joni and Friends

If you would like to make a donation to support the ministry of Joni and Friends Chicago, please click on the orange "Donations" link above and to the left.

For information about giving continually by and Electronic Funds Transfer, please email us or give us a call at 630.573.2900.

2008 Volunteer Needs and Wish List

• A volunteer to keep our computers up-to-date and networked properly
• A new color printer that would enable us to print our own newsletters