About Shore of Hope

Bringing Hope to the Shore

In 1965, two families, the Roberts and Tylers and the newly appointed minister Brother Robert Hughes, began the work known as North Shore Church of Christ. It was the first African-American congregation between Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In 1975, Brother Terry Atwater Sr., who relocated from Evansville, Indiana, was appointed the minister of North Shore. Over the past 50 years, the North Shore Church of Christ has served the North Shore community under various programs. 

North Shore opened its doors to the community, offering a Youth Life & Learning Center. The “Meals on Wheels” program evolved to “Food for Body & Soul,” which provides hot meals and a food pantry for families in Waukegan and surrounding areas. For over 20 years, the Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous groups have met at the church’s facility. These non-profit groups facilitate fellowships for men and women who help each other deal with former drug and alcohol addictions.

North Shore proudly hosted the EPIC program with the Waukegan Public School, District # 60, for ten years. A Pre-K Program that promotes positive growth in the lives of all children by promoting and maintaining a safe environment that creates opportunities for children to develop and grow through role modeling while nurturing each student’s natural desire to be a life-long learners. 

In January 2024, Brother Brooks Griffin was appointed the senior minister of North Shore Church of Christ. Recognizing the opportunity to expand the church’s impact by building on a legacy of ‘people loving to serve people,’ the Shore of Hope non-profit was incorporated in 2024 to address the needs within the North Shore community by offering enhanced services, resources, and outreach.