MorningStar Mission

What MorningStar Mission does

MorningStar Mission Ministries, Inc. is a private, non-denominational Christ-centered nonprofit founded in 1909 by Peter H. McCarthy in Joliet, Illinois, providing a comprehensive continuum of homeless and recovery services to residents of Will County. The organization operates an integrated service stack from a primary campus at 350 East Washington Street, Joliet, including a men's and women's emergency shelter open 24/7/365, the Mary L. Weitendorf Women & Family Center, the six-month Men's 180 residential recovery program, Hope House transitional housing, scattered-site family transitional housing, the East Side Cafe (three daily meals, 365 days/year), the New Day Drop-In Center (case management, computer lab, job and housing referrals), and the Friday Food Pantry. In 2022 the men's and women's emergency shelters provided 6,230 nights of stay, and the food pantry served 193 people on Fridays.

The organization is funded through a diversified mix of individual and institutional donations (one-time and monthly recurring), a Sponsor-a-Bed tiered giving program, community event fundraising including Culinary Caravan dining events across Joliet, New Lenox, and Frankfort, corporate sponsorships, and earned income from two Treasure Chest thrift stores in Joliet and New Lenox. Services to guests are provided at no charge. Operating geographies are limited to Will County, Illinois (Joliet, New Lenox, Frankfort, Plainfield/Shorewood). Governance is led by Executive Director Kevin Watson with a board of trustees and a management team spanning programs, men's ministry, women's and family services, thrift operations, HR, finance, development, and community relations.

Name

MorningStar Mission

Legal name

MorningStar Mission Ministries, Inc.

Website

https://morningstarmission.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MorningStar Mission is a 1909-founded, Christ-centered nonprofit in Joliet, Illinois providing emergency shelter, residential recovery, transitional housing, food services, and case management to homeless and at-risk residents of Will County, funded through donations, thrift stores, and community events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Joliet

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: MorningStar Mission relies primarily on donations from individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations to fund operations. Donations can be one-time or recurring monthly gifts.
2. Thrift Store Sales: The Treasure Chest thrift stores sell donated clothing and household items to the public, with proceeds supporting the ministry.
3. Sponsor-a-Bed Program: Community members can sponsor beds for specific time periods (1 night, 2 nights, 1 week) to provide shelter for unhoused individuals.
4. Event Fundraising: Culinary Caravan dining events, car shows, holiday gift programs, and other community events generate revenue while raising awareness.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

MorningStar Mission is a non-denominational, Christ-centered charitable organization that provides emergency shelter, food assistance, addiction recovery programs, and transitional housing for homeless and at-risk individuals in the Joliet, Illinois area. The organization also operates thrift stores whose proceeds help fund its mission-driven programs.

Product overview

MorningStar Mission is a non-profit Christ-centered ministry organization providing a comprehensive continuum of homeless services in Will County, Illinois. The organization operates multiple interconnected programs including emergency shelter (men's, women's, and family), residential recovery programs (Men's 180), transitional housing (Hope House and scattered-site family housing), meal services (East Side Cafe), food assistance (Friday Food Pantry), drop-in day services, and thrift stores. The programs are designed to address both physical needs (food, shelter, clothing) and spiritual needs through Bible-based counseling and recovery support, serving individuals from crisis intervention through to self-sufficiency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Shelter Services Provides immediate overnight shelter and safe temporary accommodations for homeless individuals and families in need in the Joliet, Illinois region.
• Food Services & Meal Programs Daily hot meals and food pantry services for shelter residents and community members experiencing food insecurity.
• Addiction Recovery Program Residential, faith-based recovery program providing structured support, counseling, and life-skills training for individuals overcoming substance abuse and addiction.
• Transitional Housing Longer-term housing with supportive services designed to help residents transition from shelter life to stable, independent living.
• Thrift Stores Retail thrift stores selling donated clothing, furniture, and household goods to the general public, generating revenue to fund the organization's charitable programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,230 nights of shelter provided in 2022
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and moderate.

• The Loft (Frankfort)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 March 2026Restaurant venue partner for Culinary Caravan fundraising event in Frankfort.
• Fat Rosie'sminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 March 2026Restaurant venue partner for Culinary Caravan fundraising event in Frankfort.
• La Dolce VitaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 March 2026Restaurant venue partner for Culinary Caravan fundraising event in Frankfort.
• Tom Kelly's ChophouseminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 October 2025Restaurant venue partner for New Lenox Culinary Caravan fundraising event.
• Hog WildminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 October 2025Restaurant venue partner for New Lenox Culinary Caravan fundraising event.
• Gatto's Italian RestaurantminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 October 2025Restaurant venue partner for New Lenox Culinary Caravan fundraising event.
• The Curator's CafeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Restaurant venue partner for Joliet Culinary Caravan fundraising event.
• La Mex Fine Mexican CuisineminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Restaurant venue partner for Joliet Culinary Caravan fundraising event.
• Joliet Metro Grill and BarminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Restaurant venue partner for Joliet Culinary Caravan fundraising event.
• D'Arcy (Buick GMC)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Event sponsor for Joliet Culinary Caravan.
• Sterk Family Law GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Event sponsor for Joliet Culinary Caravan.
• Harrah'sminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Event sponsor for Joliet Culinary Caravan.
• KeHeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025Event sponsor for Joliet Culinary Caravan.
• GuidestarminorOthersGuidestar (now Candid) partnership for nonprofit transparency and information sharing.
• CitygateminorOthersCitygate network partnership for nonprofit resources and support.
• Joliet Chamber of CommercemoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerChamber of commerce partnership providing business community connections and local visibility.
• FrankfortminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrankfort community partnership for events and outreach.
• New LenoxmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerNew Lenox community partnership including second thrift store location and Shop with a Cop program.
• Plainfield/ShorewoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlainfield and Shorewood community partnerships for regional outreach.
• Will County Sheriff's DepartmentmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Shop with a Sheriff program pairing deputies with children for holiday gift shopping.
• New Lenox Police DepartmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShop with a Cop program for holiday gift assistance to families in need.
• ReSupplyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent veteran-owned company managing priority donation pick-up service for thrift store donations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/morning-star-mission

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MorningStar Mission