ABOUT AGAPE MOVEMENT

Chicago Social Service Ministry is the social service department of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago. The specific purpose of this department is to help the less fortunate in the society in their attempts to improve their life and to cooperate with individuals and organizations that are willing to do the same.

Following the values of Jesus, we work for a just society where justice, peace, and development are assured for all without discrimination. Our goal is to promote the loving and sharing spirit of the early Christian community that must lead to result-oriented actions.

OBJECTIVES

To share our love and resources with those who need our care and support.

To seek the contributions of individuals and foundations or other organizations for the integral development of the people in need and to support the deserving Christian missionary activities.

To organize fundraising events for accepting donations from the public.

To support social services and Christian missionary activities in the USA and in developing countries with special priority to India.

To arrange opportunities for donors and the public to learn about the issues facing the marginalized and those who work for the marginalized. Programs like meetings, multimedia presentations, cultural programs, website, and publications shall be used for this purpose.

To directly support deserving individuals, organizations, or institutions in the United States or abroad.

To establish the corporation’s own charitable, welfare and developmental programs for people who need help.

TYPES OF PROJECTS

Chicago Social Ministry will deal with different types of projects as per need of the people it assists. However, the corporation also respects the wishes of the donors. Chicago Social Ministry offers the following classes of help:

SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMS:
These include several donor-sponsored programs that provide one-time help or on going help. For example, sponsor a house construction, a house repair, a student, a senior citizen, a handicapped, a patient, a widow’s family, a village, a parish, a Bible course, a retreat, a religious education school, a seminarian, distribution of religious articles etc.

GENERAL PROJECTS:
These are projects that are supported by Chicago Social Ministry from the general donations received. They shall include charities, developmental projects, and emergency help.

DONOR SUGGESTED PROJECTS:
If a donor requests to support with his or her contribution a particular individual, organization, or institution and if it is according to the ideology of Chicago Social Ministry, it will be considered.


CONTACT INFORMATION

Your donations will be exempt from income tax in the United States. Checks are accepted only in the name of "Chicago Social Ministry" and can be mailed to Chicago Social Ministry, 310 W. Lake St., Elmhurst, IL, 60126, USA. The purpose of donations and donor's details are to be provided.

OFFICERS

The following are the present office bearers of the corporation:

PATRON: Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath, Bishop of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago.

PRESIDENT: Bishop Mar Joy Alappatt, Auxiliary Bishop of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago.

SECRETARY: Rev. Fr. Abraham Mutholath, Pastor Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Forane Parish, Chicago.

CFO: Rev. Fr. Paul Chalissery, Finance Officer of the diocese.