Since 1941, the Women of the Church Women United movement have held a vision of Christian unity and prayerful action. CWU was founded as a racially, culturally, theologically, inclusive Christian women’s movement to celebrate unity and diversity and work for peace in the world.
As members of Church Women United in Illinois, we stand united in partnership with Prevent Child Abuse Illinois to bring attention to the critical issue of child abuse and neglect during Child Abuse Awareness Month. Our faith calls us to act with compassion and to safeguard the most vulnerable among us: our children.
This month serves as an important reminder of the shared responsibility we have as individuals, families, communities, and organizations to protect children and nurture their wellbeing. Every child deserves a safe, supportive, and loving environment in which to grow, thrive, and reach their God-given potential.
Through collaboration with Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, we are committed to advocating for education, resources, and policies that prevent child abuse before it begins and ensure a brighter future for all children. We encourage our members, faith communities, and neighbors to learn more about recognizing the signs of abuse and neglect, offering support to families in need, and joining in efforts to build stronger, more resilient communities.
Let us come together, inspired by faith and hope, to be a voice for children and a light in their lives. Together, we can make a profound difference and reaffirm our shared commitment to ending child abuse.
Barb Gunter spends the night outside in a cardboard box to help the homeless. Barb raised over $4100.
Unit Spotlight - Peoria Area CWU
Barb Gunter spent the night outside in a cardboard box to help the homeless.
Thank you to several CWU women who donated to Phoenix CDS for the Gimme Shelter event which raises both awareness about those without homes and money to help them. My night in the box was pleasant and I was quite warm even though the temperature was 18 degrees.
At breakfast the next morning, certificate awards were handed out. I received 2nd place with $4,100+; the winner had over $6,000. We learned much about the nitty gritty of the daily work with homeless people. It takes endless patience to help people through the legal requirements to regain their identity when they have lost everything. You must prove who you are to get housing even if you have the money. The foremost reason for having no address is that people just can't afford housing.
Three statistics impressed me:
1. Phoenix made contact with 531 individuals on the street last year.
2. Phoenix permanently housed 431 individuals.
3. 96% remain housed and have improved mentally and physically. That is why I am happy to spend one night in a box so that all of us can be part of the solution.
From the Peoria Area CWU Infosheet Newsletter
Submitted by Barb Gurtler
Church Women United in Illinois
2025 State Assembly
April 25-26, 2025
Partner Spotlight
SharedHope International
2025 Roadmap Report
Community-Based Responses as the Next Step in Anti-Trafficking Reforms
This report examines opportunities to interrupt entry points into systems and strengthen the provision and accessibility of community-based services for children and youth at risk of, or impacted by, trafficking, providing guidance on:
Connecting youth with comprehensive services within, and outside of, systems
Interrupting vulnerabilities (e.g., family crisis, housing insecurity)
Reducing dependency on formal child-serving systems while supporting families and meeting the child’s holistic needs
Partner Spotlight
The Healthy Churches 2030
RoadMap Tour - A Free Community Health Event
Check Out the Latest Church Woman News
Stay informed with the latest national updates and news from Church Women United Inc.
The Intrepreter
Summer 2024
Church Women United in Illinois (CWUIL) Interpreter is the newsletter of the state chapter of the national organization, Church Women United (CWU). Founded in 1941, CWU is an ecumenical movement of interdenominational Christian women from diverse racial, ethnic, age, and economic backgrounds. The organization aims to bring together Christian women, united in their faith, to work towards the betterment of the community and the development of women’s full potential in society.
Church Women News
Quadrennial Assembly Special Edition
Partners and Ministries
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Institute for Justice Advocacy — You Can Help Prevent Sex Trafficking, Restore & Bring Justice to Victims. Click here to learn more.
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The mission of Prevent Child Abuse Illinois is to prevent child abuse by providing statewide leadership through education, public awareness, support for community initiatives, and advocacy. Click here to learn more.
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Our mission is to educate and equip people to advocate for policies and programs that can help end hunger in the U.S. and around the world. Click here to learn more.
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Our mission is to prevent diseases and improve the health status of African Americans by providing support to faith institutions in areas of program design, implementation, and evaluation, strengthening their capacity to deliver programs and services that contribute to the elimination of health disparities.
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More info coming soon
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National Farm Worker Ministry is a faith based organization which supports farm workers as they organize for justice and empowerment. Click here to learn more.
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We have one goal: building a world where there is enough for all. Our vision is a world where everyone has food, voice and a safe place to call home. Click here to learn more.
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We strive to end hunger by connecting our neighbors with healthy food and advancing solutions that address the root causes of hunger. Click here to learn more.
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Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) believes hope starts with food. As a Christian nonprofit, FMSC is dedicated to seeing every child whole in body and spirit. FMSC works with food distribution partners that stay with communities for the long haul, empowering them to move from relief to development. Click here to learn more.
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NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Click here to learn more.