St John's Community Care in Collinsville, Illinois, has helped older adults and those with disabilities in the Metro-East community since 1985, and they do a lot of good work focusing on elder care and dementia support, really sticking to their mission to make a positive difference for people challenged by aging or disabilities, and over the years they've made a reputation as a dependable, compassionate resource for families. Staff, Program Aids, and board members work together out of their headquarters at 222 Goethe Ave in Collinsville, handling a range of programs like the Adult Day Program, where folks who need some help during the day-especially those with early memory loss or other disabilities-can take part in safe and enriching activities, with over 102 people being served through that recently.
St John's also runs support groups, caregiver courses, a Memory Café, and Stay Sharp Kits that encourage mental activity, which means caregivers aren't left alone either, since there are some 25 support groups and classes they offer every month, and the Early Memory Loss support groups are an anchor for families walking a hard road. You'll also find a free Medical Equipment Loan Program at the Collinsville office, lending out things like wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, bath chairs, canes, and crutches; they handle donations of small equipment during regular hours, which are 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. The Adult Day Program runs alongside all these efforts, helping families keep their loved ones engaged in the community, and they also accept in-kind donations like snacks and decaf coffee or sugar-free treats that help keep the day-to-day going. They're also tied to the United Church of Christ and work, as they put it, to live the vision of Christ and His love through actions, not just words.
Run by a small staff-between 11 and 50 people-with leadership from Executive Director Christine Thurber, St John's Community Care holds strong to its status as a not-for-profit, relying on in-kind donations and volunteers to help entertain and lead activities, and they make a point of sharing information about long-term care and insurance so families can stay informed. The group's administrative offices are in both Collinsville and Edwardsville, and staff provide help mostly in southern Madison and parts of St. Clair Counties. Connected with the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, St John's keeps its doors open to people from all backgrounds who need help, and their open, welcoming approach makes them a trusted service for people navigating the challenges of aging and disabilities, and they keep things running on simple values of care, respect, and practical support.
