About us

Our Goal - Mission - Core Values - History - What Makes Us Different - Board

Christian Care is one of Rock Island's best-kept secrets. We were founded in 1916 to serve the least, the last, and the lost—and that remains our mission today. We operate two facilities—a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men. We also operate a community meal site that served well over 40,000 meals last year and a 24/7 Crisis Line that primarily fields calls from those who are homeless, those in danger of being beaten or killed, and those contemplating suicide. We provide safe shelter, food, clothing, and personal care items to each of our residents—and so much more.

Who Do We Serve?

We primarily provide care to residents of the Quad Cities, but we also have taken in individuals from other states and even other countries. We serve:

Our Goal

Our primary goal is to facilitate the positive transformation of the individuals we serve. Centering on accountability and responsibility, we encourage men, women, and children to radically change their thinking and lifestyle—in essence, to become productive citizens in the community.

Mission

By providing safe shelter, support and resources, Christian Care empowers both the homeless and survivors of domestic violence to make positive changes in every aspect of their lives.

Vision

Christian Care transforms lives.

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Core Values Statement

Christian Care is grounded in these core values: spirituality, relationship, caring, passion, empowerment and integrity. We embody these values in our personal and professional lives; they define who we are and how we act:

Spirituality: Our faith in God compels us to serve the least, the last and the lost.

Relationships: We recognize and appreciate the connections between people within the organization and the community.

Caring: We are concerned about our residents and do all in our power to provide them with the services that they need.

Passion: We are deeply devoted to our calling to serve the homeless, the abused and those in need.

Empowerment: We promote the self actualization of our residents as they learn to reach their full potential.

Integrity: Our ethics and behavior are one.

History

Christian Care has been serving the Quad Cities for almost one hundred years. Our founder, Guy Rodgers, established the Rock Island Rescue Mission on October 18, 1916; for nine years, he operated the mission in several locations. In 1925, he settled the mission at 2010 3rd Avenue in Rock Island, where Rodgers continued his life's vocation until his death in 1956. He dedicated himself to providing a place of respite for men who were seeking employment in the Quad Cities.

Originally, the Rescue Mission was simply one room where men could get help with food, clothing, shelter and spiritual nourishment. As an influx of families moved into the region after WWI, the Mission began providing services to families in need. Over the years, the Rescue Mission's services grew to include long term shelter for men, a resale store, a Sunday school, Sunday Worship services open to the public and a rehabilitation program. Throughout the years, the mission provided help for area families. Then, in 1981, they opened a shelter for domestic violence victims to provide shelter, safety, and compassion for women and children fleeing from lives of abuse. That year the organization changed its name to Christian Family Care Center to incorporate both programs.

In 2004, the Rock Island Rescue Mission relocated to a brand new building at 2209 3rd Avenue in Rock Island. The funding for this new facility was made possible through the generous gifts and bequests of caring donors. In 2006, we shortened our name to Christian Care. Still, in the tradition of our founder, Guy Rodgers, we provide shelter, food, clothing, counseling, referrals, and spiritual guidance to anyone in need.

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What Makes Christian Care Different?

There are three primary elements that make Christian Care different from other missions and shelters:

Christian Care's Board of Directors and Staff Directors

President: Sharon De Frieze, Founder, QCALM
Sharon@qcalm.org
Sharon is presently serving as the President of Christian Care. She is Treasurer of Bi-State Literacy Council and servers on the board of New Life Outpatient Center. Prior to retirement Sharon was the CEO of the Quad City Area Labor Management Council, and instrumental in the organizations establishment. She still works part-time as their Special Events Director. She is a member of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, Rock Island, IL.



Vice President: William "Shawn" Wilkinson, Manager, J.L. Brady Co.
jlbrady@qconline.com
Shawn has been married for 34 years to his wife, Janette and they have a son serving in the U.S. Army in Fairbanks, AK who is married with a young daughter. Shawn is the General Manager at J.L. Brady, Co. in Moline where they serve the QC area with heating/air conditioning/plumbing work. Shawn is passionate about reaching the lost and serving those who are struggling with life issues. He has traveled to Russia, Africa, Haiti, South Dakota and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina on mission trips over the past 10 years. He has been on the board for several years and is excited to be a part of this outreach organization. Shawn enjoys riding his motorcycle, being outdoors and spending time with family.



Secretary: Melvin Grimes, Pastor, Tabernacle Baptist Church
drgrimes1@sbcglobal.net
Melvin is the son of the late Reverend William and Charlotte Grimes of Rock Island Illinois. He has one daughter, Melissa and two grandchildren Cadence and Mehkia. He was educated in the Rock Island School system, graduated in 1970; graduate of Kalamazoo College; graduate of Grace Valley Theological Seminary. He has been the pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church for 21 years. He serves on the boards of: Christian Care, Aldridge Early Learning Center and WIAAA of Western Illinois. He is also the Assistant Director for the Baptist General State Convention Department of Christian Education.



Treasurer: Chris Ballard, Huckfeldt & Smith
cjballero@yahoo.com
Chris is currently a CPA at Huckfeldt & Smith in Bettendorf. He was a graduate of Western Illinois University with Bachelors in Management of Information Systems and Accounting. He passed CPA exam in 2007 and has worked in public accounting for the past six years. Chris lives in Bettendorf with wife Angie, daughters Cheyenne and Esme, and son Esme and expecting a new baby in August.



George "Hank" Brush, Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal
ghbrush@gmail.com
George is presently serving as a board member of Christian Care, he also has served on the board of the Illinois Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (IAOBA), and is an member of the Patriot Riders. He is a 21 year veteran of the United States Navy, Spent 2 years 2008-2009 in Afghanistan with the US ARMY. George is employed by the Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island and is a member of First United Methodist Church, Geneseo, IL.



Ron Edwards, Attorney, Deere & Company
EdwardsRonJ@JohnDeere.com
Ron Edwards is a Senior Attorney at Deere & Company practicing in securities & finance. Along with serving on the Board for Christian Care, Ron is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Bethany for Children & Families. Prior to joining Deere in 2007, Ron obtained a B.A. from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor in 2004 and a J.D. from The Ohio State University - Moritz College of Law in 2007. While attending law school, Ron externed for a judge in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and also worked as a summer associate for Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP in Columbus, Ohio. Ron is a member of the Illinois Bar and the American Bar Association.



Mary Maland, Plans Analyst, Rock Island Arsenal
cc.mary10@gmail.com
Mary is presently serving as a board member of Christian Care. She also serves on the boards of the Pilot Club of Moline, Women In Defense and was a past board member of the Rock Island Arsenal Women's Club for 15 years. She volunteers for Juniors Achievement, Marine Toys for Tots, Race for the Cure, Quad Cities Marathon, Bikes for Brains, and local school Bike Rodeos. Mary is employed by the Army Sustainment and is a member of Christ the King Church, Moline, IL.



George Seaberg, Retired-Seaberg Industries
seabgeo@mchsi.com
George was born in Moline in 1938. He attended schools in Moline and graduated in1955. He earned an athletic scholarship and graduated in engineering from the University of Iowa in 1960. He married to Sue Trissel from Davenport in 1961. He served in the Army as a helicopter pilot 1960-63. He is a Certified Professional Engineer. He started Seaberg Industries in 1973 in the basement of his home. He later moved to Bettendorf, then Moline before settling in Rock Island in 1985. He sold the business to the company managers in 2006. He helped start Quad Cities Habitat for Humanity in 1992. He has been active and held positions in the Lutheran Church all his life and he and his wife are currently members of Our Savior, Bettendorf. They have 3 married grown children with 7 grandchildren. Their son, Tom, his wife, Ann, and two boys live in Moline; a daughter, Sue Sampson, and husband Bryan live with 4 children in Bettendorf; their daughter, Anne Atkinson, and husband Ken live with their son in Raleigh, NC. He has been involved in civic activities such as YMCA, Chambers of Commerce, Rotary, Youth for Christ, and a past member of the Rock Island Golf Club. He served on various boards for the College of Engineering at the Univesity of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. He is a current First Responder to the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department.



Michael Shovlain, Owner-New Life Outpatient Services
michaelshovlain@yahoo.com
Michael D. Shovlain brings more than thirty years of administrative leadership in behavioral health and human services. In 1991 Mike founded New Life Outpatient Center in Davenport, Iowa which was the state's first for-profit outpatient center. Mike has been a visionary and innovative leader in the field of human services. He is profit-driven, results oriented, and a passionate behavioral healthcare executive with extensive experience in all aspects of startups, turnarounds, expansions, and growth situations. Mike developed and implemented a Premier Residential Addictions Treatment Center (The Abbey) for co-occurring disorders in Bettendorf, Iowa. Mike's work has encompassed hospital based treatment centers, community nonprofit treatment centers, employee assistance programs (one of which became the nation's first accredited EAP through EASNA), and for-profit national treatment contracting providers. Mike was also one of two investigators for the state of Arizona Behavioral Health Licensing Division. Mike received his post graduate degree at Governors State University and has a Master's Degree in Health Sciences with a focus on addictions studies. He is also licensed as a Registered Nurse and has practiced in acute trauma settings.



Nancy Spratt, Retired, Rock Island Arsenal
n.spratt@sbcglobal.net
Nancy Spratt is a current Christian Care board member who has previously served on the Cafe on Vine Finance Committee and as a board member of the Quad City Basket Weavers. In her "spare time," Nancy serves as the volunteer coordinator for both Cafe on Vine and the Coal Valley Days Parade. She assists with math education in local grade schools, serves as Santa's Helper at the annual Festival of Trees celebration, and enjoys helping others in need with a variety of tasks, including lawn care. She retired from the U.S. Army Sustainment Command and is a member of Heritage Wesleyan Church in Rock Island, Illinois.



Executive Director: Elaine Winter Ed.D.
ewinter777@aol.com
Dr. Elaine Winter has served as the Executive Director of Christian Care's Domestic Violence Shelter for the past five years. She has a long history of working on behalf of women. Prior to coming to Christian Care she was the Director of Augustana College's Center for Vocational Reflection and Director of Communication and Research for an international professional association. Dr. Elaine has both an MBA and a Master's degree in Counseling in addition to her doctorate in Leadership and Adult Education. She has traveled widely and is especially interested in diverse cultures.


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