Doorway To Hope

08/02/2026

Grab your paddle. The lake is going to glow.

Twin Lakes Glow Kayak Night is Saturday, August 15th at 7:30 PM, launching from the East Lake Boat Ramp at Twin Lakes Park. Kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards all welcome. Bring your own boat, bring your life jackets (required), and bring your glow sticks.

Entry is free. Donations collected that night will go to Doorway to Hope to help open Edgar County's first adult homeless shelter and community center.

Presented by Be The Change Community Enrichment, in coordination with the Paris Parks Department.

Bring the family, bring a lawn chair if you would rather watch from shore, and come be part of a really good night.

08/02/2026

Doorway to Hope owns the property at 502-504 East Jasper Street. That means we own the grass too.

Here is the plain truth: a well-kept property is the first thing we say to our neighbors before we ever open a door. It tells them this ministry is serious and permanent, and that the people we serve deserve a clean, dignified place to come to.

We have volunteers ready to work. We need the right equipment to make that work sustainable. Homeowner mowers burn out on a property this size, and replacing one every season costs more than buying the right machine once.

Our goal is $6,000 for a commercial mower.

That is 60 gifts of $100, or 240 gifts of $25.

If you feel led to give, we are grateful. If this is not your season, we understand, and we would value your prayers just as much.

Grace and peace to you!When Doorway to Hope purchased the property at 502-504 East Jasper Street, we took on more than a building. We took on responsibility…

07/29/2026

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📚🎒 BACK-TO-SCHOOL KIDS DAY HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED! 🌦️
Due to the weather forecast, we've made the decision to move our Back-to-School Kids Day to Sunday, August 2, from 1:00 PM–6:00 PM. We want to make sure everyone has the best experience possible!
📍 Location:
Doorway Community Distribution Garage
502 E. Jasper St.
Paris, IL 61944
❤️ Everything is FREE! We'll have:
🎒 Backpacks & school supplies (while supplies last)
👕 Children's clothing & shoes
🍎 Snacks & treats
⚠️ Children must be present to receive a backpack and school supplies. (Supplies are very limited)
🎉 HOURLY DRAWINGS!
We'll be giving away prizes every hour, including:
🛒 Several $20 Walmart Gift Cards
💈 Multiple FREE Haircuts generously donated by some amazing local barbers and stylists! To Be Announced!
🚗 Please Note:
• No restrooms are available on site.
• Please use the RP Lumber parking lot next door before entering the event.
• This event is first come, first served while supplies last.
🙋 WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS!
We could really use a few more helping hands to make this event run smoothly.
Current stations:
✅ Heather – Check-In
✅ Randy – DJ, Snacks & Exit
We still need volunteers for:
🎒 Backpack & School Supply Station
👕 Children's Clothing & Shoe Station
Even if you can only help for an hour or two, we'd love to have you! The more volunteers we have, the more smoothly we can serve local families. If you're willing to help, please comment below or message our event organizers Bill Stidham or myself.
❤️ Thank you to everyone who has donated, volunteered, and supported this event. Your generosity is helping local children start the school year with confidence.
📢 Please continue to watch Bill Stidham's Facebook profile for any updates.
💚 Take what you need. Bring what you don't. Together, we build hope.

06/28/2026

What a day at 504 East Jasper Street.

Above all else, we give glory to God. This vision is His, and today we watched Him move it forward through the hands of His people. Every surface washed, every overgrown hedge cleared, every ivy pulled, every rock shoveled, was a reminder that He is doing something real here.

Thank you to Outdoors Brothers Landscaping for putting their equipment and expertise to work clearing out the old and overgrown landscaping. And thank you to the many volunteers who showed up and poured in their sweat equity. You powered through the power washing, the landscaping removal, and gardening, and this property is transformed because of you. We are humbled, again, by how this community keeps showing up.

We are also grateful for the generous donors whose partnership made this possible: R.P. Lumber, Runyon Rentals, the Edgar County Health Department, Horizon Health, Dr. Marilyn Frey, HRC's Consumer Counsel, and Cargill. A special thank you to R.P. Lumber for graciously letting us use their lot for parking and donating gloves today. Your generosity is a real blessing to this mission.

This is God's work, and it moves forward because faithful people lend their time, their gifts, and their prayers. If today stirred something in you and you feel led to keep this momentum going, monthly recurring giving is the most faithful way to help us cover the ongoing bills: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/called-to-serve-helping-doorway-to-hope-open-its-doors

To God be the glory.

06/28/2026

06/23/2026

We are humbled by how this community keeps showing up for Doorway to Hope.

A special thank you to Outdoors Brothers Landscaping, RP Lumber, Runyon Rentals, the Edgar County Health Department, Horizon Health, Dr. Marilyn Frey, and to Cargill. Your generous donations are a real blessing to this mission, and we are grateful for your partnership in helping open these doors.

And thank you to R.P. Lumber, who has graciously given us permission to use their lot for parking on Work Day.

That same spirit is exactly what we need this Saturday, June 27, from 9 AM to 3 PM at 504 East Jasper Street. Our Hope in Action Community Work Day is focused on power washing the exterior, removing old and overgrown landscaping, and scraping and prepping for paint. There is meaningful work for every skill level.

What to know:
No registration required. Walk-ups are welcome.

Parking: use the R.P. Lumber lot and walk over for additional parking.

All work stays at ground level. Volunteers stay off ladders, and any roof or elevated work is handled by a licensed, insured contractor.

Waivers are signed at check-in, which also serves as our sign-in and emergency contact record.

This is God's work, and it moves forward because faithful people lend their time, their gifts, and their prayers. If you feel led to give beyond Saturday, monthly recurring giving is the most faithful way to help us cover the ongoing bills: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/called-to-serve-helping-doorway-to-hope-open-its-doors

We will see you Saturday.

Come join us at the community work day Saturday June 27, 2026! Register (free) at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/hope-in-action-community-work-day

05/29/2026

We can build great things, together!

Ignite the Spark! 💡💡 When new doors open in our community, we’re proud to help make them safe and strong. We’re excited to partner with Doorway to Hope on a new and meaningful project in Paris, IL. Doorway to Hope is focused on creating a safe, supportive space for individuals seeking stability, healing, and a fresh start—and this project is an important step toward that mission. Our funding support will be used to help install adequate security, ensuring the facility can provide a welcoming and protected environment for those it serves. Safety is foundational to hope, and we’re honored to play a role in helping this vision become a reality. This bonus post celebrates collaboration, compassion, and investment in a stronger community. Together, we’re helping open doors—and keeping them secure—for brighter futures.

✨ Proud to partner. Proud to serve. Proud to !

05/27/2026

Come join us at the community work day Saturday June 27, 2026! Register (free) at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/hope-in-action-community-work-day

05/24/2026

God answers prayers! Dr. Frey generously contributed to the Doorway to Hope shelter after the Board discovered a significant unexpected expense.

Please pray that our actions align with God's will and that God continues to provide, through his people.

If you want to help support the project you can donate at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/called-to-serve-helping-doorway-to-hope-open-its-doors