Temperance spoke up to secure a new home for her family

Posted on by Vanessa Álvarez

e-newsletter-photo-donateRebuilding your life after a setback takes determination. For Temperance Thomas, it helps to be open about what she’s been through.

“You got to tell your story or you’ll never get over it. I’m learning to do that,” she says.

With a family to raise, Temperance is determined to move forward. In two years, she has completed culinary training, found a new job, and joined the Reentry Project at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

Continue reading Temperance spoke up to secure a new home for her family

Homeless Memorial Service, Monday, Dec. 19 at Old St. Pat’s Church

Posted on by Anne Bowhay

For National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, a coalition of Chicago-based homeless service providers and advocates will host an hour-long candlelight vigil and memorial service to remember Chicagoans who died this year without a home.

We gather in the shadow of the Magnificent Mile to remember that homelessness is a human struggle. Hundreds will join us for this moving service, a solemn reminder of those who have little to call their own.  Continue reading Homeless Memorial Service, Monday, Dec. 19 at Old St. Pat’s Church

Join us at Cheers for Change, Dec. 15

Posted on by Anne Bowhay
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Guest Bartenders Kelly MacDowell and Melissa Gutierrez behind the bar.

Question: What do an architect, a librarian, and a copywriter have in common?

Answer: All are guest bartenders for the first ever holiday installment of CCH’s popular fundraiser, Cheers For Change!

On Thursday, Dec. 15, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., The Owl at 2521 N. Milwaukee Avenue will play host to an eclectic mix of volunteer bartenders who all support the mission of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.  Continue reading Join us at Cheers for Change, Dec. 15

Remembering Sean McKeough and Otis Clay

Posted on by Vanessa Álvarez
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Otis Clay (top) and Sean McKeough (bottom)

We don’t do it alone. This week the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless remembers the lives of two men, important to the music community, who showed generosity toward homeless people and the work we do: Sean McKeough and Otis Clay. 

As a partner and producer of Riot Fest, Sean McKeough granted CCH a wonderful platform to spread our message and attract supporters each fall on the festival grounds. Sean also welcomed CCH to host events at his Cobra Lounge.   Continue reading Remembering Sean McKeough and Otis Clay

Giving Tuesday: Thank you for your generous support

Posted on by Anne Bowhay
Peninah at her hot cider stand
Peninah at her hot cider stand

Many thanks for your generous support on Giving Tuesday, a global day of charitable giving held Nov. 29. We sought to raise $8,000, and by day’s end, 89 donors generously gave $8,755, surpassing our goal by 9%. We are so grateful!

We’re also thankful for our youngest donor, Peninah. Accompanied by her mother, Anika, the 5-year-old donated $215.58 to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH), most of it earned running a hot cider stand Sunday in her South Side neighborhood.

Peninah was profiled Tuesday by Leah Hope on  ABC 7 Chicago, a sweet story about the “Young Girl with a Big Heart.”  Continue reading Giving Tuesday: Thank you for your generous support

136 CCH leaders talk to legislators in Springfield

Posted on by Anne Bowhay

With the state’s 18-month stopgap budget set to expire on Dec. 31, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless brought 136 homeless leaders and students to Springfield to talk to 42 legislators during the veto session.

Our leaders in Springfield include these high school students from Kenwood Academy and Ogden International.
Our leaders in Springfield include these high school students from Kenwood Academy and Ogden International. (Photo by Gisel Romero)

During the November 16 lobby day, CCH leaders asked legislators to pass a responsible budget with adequate revenue. CCH sponsored three buses that brought leaders from neighborhoods all over Chicago, as well as Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan.

Leaders visited legislators’ offices and had an opportunity to speak to them and their staffs.  They shared their stories of how the budget crisis has impacted their access to services, and their worries if providers shut down more programs without further funding. CCH leaders suggested revenue solutions that could help state leaders avoid devastating cuts to human services.  Continue reading 136 CCH leaders talk to legislators in Springfield

CCH Board of Directors welcomes six new members

Posted on by Anne Bowhay

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless welcomed six new members to its Board of Directors in November. New to the 28-member CCH Board are:

From left, Claire Lew, Brett Rausch, Tracy Baim, Mikal Rasheed and Megan Winkelman (Photo by Julie Dworkin)
From left, Claire Lew, Brett Rausch, Tracy Baim, Mikal Rasheed and Megan Finkelman (Photo by Julie Dworkin)

Tracy Baim, Publisher and Executive Editor of Windy City Times

Megan Finkelman, Vice President, Account Director at HY Connect

Caronina Grimble, Program Officer at the Woods Fund of Chicago

Claire Lew, CEO of Know Your Company

Dr. Mikal N. Rasheed, retired Chairman and Professor of Chicago State University’s Department of Social Work

Brett Rausch, Vice President of Commercial Banking, Wells Fargo

In addition, attorney Nick Colvin, of counsel at Carpenter Lipps & Leland LLP, joined the CCH Board in May, following Deborah Harrington’s retirement.  Continue reading CCH Board of Directors welcomes six new members

Jayme overcame homelessness – now she helps high schoolers do the same

Posted on by Anne Bowhay

Four years after graduating, Jayme Robinson is back at Schurz High School, helping students who are homeless like she was.

Jayme Robinson
Jayme Robinson

Jayme, 22, works for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless as an AmeriCorps VISTA organizer. One of her projects is to mentor homeless students, including teens at her alma mater on the Northwest Side. Along with group meetings, Jayme talks one-on-one with teens about their lives and plans for the future.

“It’s difficult. I want to support them academically and socially,” said Jayme, “but how do you tell a 16-year-old with two jobs – who’s on his own – to stop working so many hours and do your homework?”  Continue reading Jayme overcame homelessness – now she helps high schoolers do the same

Homeless youth in Chicago have help from a free mobile phone app

Posted on by Anne Bowhay

streetlight-chicago-imageStreetLight Chicago is a new, free mobile phone app designed for use by homeless youth and the social service providers that support this vulnerable population.

Launched Nov. 14, this mobile app gives timely information about the resources available to help youth, through age 24, who are homeless and living on their own.

Chicago is home to thousands of homeless youth, including 2,396 unaccompanied teens living on their own who were enrolled in Chicago Public Schools last year.  Continue reading Homeless youth in Chicago have help from a free mobile phone app

What to do if you are homeless and want to VOTE on Election Day

Posted on by Anne Bowhay
Keith helped voters get to the polls at Pacific Garden Mission. "Ten of them sacrificed their dinner so they could go vote," said Keith.
Organizer Keith Freeman helped voters get to the polls at Pacific Garden Mission. “Ten of them sacrificed their dinner so they could go vote,” said Keith.

By Niya Kelly, Policy Specialist

Illinois residents who are homeless have the right to vote during Tuesday’s Nov. 8 presidential and statewide elections, even if they are not yet registered to vote.

If you live on the street, in shelters, or doubled-up in the homes of others, you are considered homeless.  Continue reading What to do if you are homeless and want to VOTE on Election Day