Oak Park Migrant Ministry

10/13/2026

09/23/2026

Now collecting adult and kid Halloween costumes!

09/18/2026

Now accepting fall/winter clothing.
Coats, boots, scarves, gloves. Warm blankets. Thanks as always for your generosity!

08/30/2026

Services for our new neighbors.

07/20/2026

Thanks as always for your generous donations. Our shoppers mostly take everyday, casual clothing. Here is a place that needs more business wear. https://share.google/jhnNHqbOJwQKaknSr

07/16/2026

Many have asked where to donate furniture, housewares and small appliances. Jason will be doing a multi-home pickup day this coming Tuesday 6/21/26 between the hours of 8am-1pm.

The free store is opening back up again soon, so let's fill it back up with new donations!

If you have anything large that you'd like us to pick up, send me a direct message here or text me at 224-402-2465.

We do charge for the pickups, but it's minimal considering that we are picking up from many homes in one day, which reduces costs for everyone. Price depends on the type of item we're picking, how difficult it is to remove, and how far away it is. Reach out to me directly to get a quote.

As an example, a standard dining table with four chairs on the bottom floor of a house might only cost about $40 to pick up. While a full bedroom set including mattress, box spring, bed frame, dresser, desk, etc. could cost as much as $220. The details matter, so feel free to ask.

07/06/2026

MARCHING IN THE PARADE WAS SO MUCH FUN! We were about 40 lively volunteers carrying signs, waving flags, and chanting slogans like “Say it loud, say it clear, Immigrants are welcome here!” We were greeted with plenty of affirming applause as we marched along. It was definitely a good way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, celebrating our immigrant roots.

05/19/2026

Happy Summer!! Now accepting shorts and bathing suits.

04/18/2026

From Jason Brashares

I'd like to invite you to a local event at the Maze Branch of the Oak Park Public Library on Sat. April 25th.

But first... imagine you're a refugee kid, new to the US after a sometimes years-long process of uncertainty. You land in a Chicago apartment, your basic needs supported by existing agencies. Now what? Barely able to speak passable English, no connections to the community or your new home country, maybe you don't even feel safe in the neighborhood your family can afford. What is life like?

Now imagine what it must feel like when a local group invites you outside your local bubble, in a safe and supportive way, to find a true sense of community among peers who've gone through a similar journey, even if from different places, finding yourself through challenging play in nature and sport?

I don't have to imagine, I've been lucky enough to be a part of it for many years. These kids open up in ways that native-born kids are more accustomed to in orgs like The Girl/Boy Scouts or family camping trips and semi-structured outings to nearby nature.

At REACH (Refugee Education & Adventure Challenge), we bring newcomer kids together, where they can be themselves without having to feel like "the other", through enriching experiences like biking in forest preserves, camping, climbing, local service projects, kayaking the Chicago River, and even multi-day trips to America's natural wonders. And we have a Peer Mentor program that helps guide innate leadership skills in a multi-faceted way.

Our Peer Mentors have designed a story slam and photo exhibit to share their experiences while practicing their public speaking. There will be community, connection, snacks, and inspiration on tap. Please join us at this free event to learn more about REACH and find a bit of hope in these scary times.

Message me with any questions, I hope to see you there!

04/07/2026

Do you have something you'd like to donate to the Boulevard Free Store, but it's too big and/or heavy to get it there yourself?

Jason Brashares doing a multi-home pickup of those kinds of things on Tuesday, April 14th, so join the lineup! They have room for about 4 or 5 more homes at this point.

He’ll rent a truck and hire a couple our new neighbors to help carry things. We do ask that you help offset the cost of this by contributing according to the size/complexity of your donation.

As an example, a coffee table that's too big for your car may just cost $40 for us to grab... a simple 4 seater dining room table and chairs, may only cost about $60... a full bedroom set with bed, frame, dresser, etc. could cost up to $200... it all depends.

If you can't make it on the 14th, let me know and we can figure out another day.

Coordinate with me by sending me a direct message here on Facebook Messenger or email me at [email protected].

Thank you!