When severe storms left families across Illinois with home damage and no power, one local church stepped up to help. Bethel Baptist Church and the Bethel Community Impact Center in Chicago Heights opened their doors so @​RedCrossIL could establish a shelter for people affected by the storms. “The reason why it was an automatic yes [when asked to help] is that first and foremost, the Southland of Chicago is home for me, and particularly Chicago Heights,” said Senior Pastor Lawrence Blackful Jr. As communities across Illinois faced repeated rounds of severe weather, partnerships like this helped ensure families had a safe place to stay, meals to eat, and support when they needed it most. The Bethel Community Impact Center, Red Cross volunteers, and Cook County Emergency Management teams worked side by side to care for residents impacted by the storms. “All of our teams have really come together to serve the families of the Southland, and that does my heart good," the pastor said. For Yachiyl “Ya-Ya” Swapsy, that partnership made a difficult situation feel a little less overwhelming after a tree damaged her home and left her without power for seven days. “We just came to the shelter because we didn’t have electricity,” Ya-Ya said. “It just became overwhelming being in the dark all day. The amount of help I received from the Red Cross is just heartwarming because everybody has been so hospitable, so caring, so nurturing, just checking on us, making sure we’re okay.” Our disaster relief work wouldn't be possible without community partners willing to step forward when their neighbors need help. Through partnerships with organizations like Bethel Baptist Church and the Bethel Community Impact Center, communities can respond faster, reach more people, and provide comfort when i