Blog Archives - Page 3 of 82 - Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

Changing the world is a family affair

Posted on December 13, 2022December 13, 2022 by Erin Sindewald

Maxica and her three school-age children moved into their new home in Chicago’s Washington Park neighborhood last January. It has six bedrooms and a big backyard – perfect for making snow angels in the winter and leaf angels in the fall. The residential streets and proximity to parks offer ample space for family strolls with their new puppy, Roxy. And a nearby community garden provides fresh produce for cooking and eating together.

DeNaysa,16, is a bookworm. The salutatorian of her 8th grade class, the now high school sophomore enjoys band, choir, and volleyball. She is also learning how to drive. DeSera, 14, is a “momma’s girl,” – a natural caregiver and straight-A honors student. She loves choir and is a sprinter on her high school’s track and field team. DeVon, 13, is a talented athlete, playing basketball, football, softball, and volleyball. He likes turning his poetry into music, using skills learned from an After School Matters program.

“My kids are my heart and soul and the centers of my life,” said Maxica.

We Are Stronger Together: CCH raises $90K on Giving Tuesday thanks to 400 individual donors

Posted on December 7, 2022December 12, 2022 by Karianne Canfield

The staff and volunteers of CCH are overwhelmed with gratitude over the enthusiastic support offered this past Giving Tuesday. Over 400 generous people contributed more than $90,000 to CCH during this annual celebration of giving.

CCH is grateful to longtime supporters Robert Pasin & Muriel Quinn for committing $30,000 to kick off the effort. CCH recruited 19 staff, Board Members and Associate Board members to follow their lead and become Giving Tuesday Ambassadors, spreading news of CCH’s work and enlisting others to invest in our advocacy.

Giving Tuesday progress bar with 90% filled up yellow on green background. Left side reads "$90,666" right side reads "$100,000"

Ambassadors employed all types of creative tactics to call attention to CCH’s impact. Camilla Krauss, a staff attorney with CCH’s Law Project, posted a photo of her dog Charlie wearing CCH’s signature yellow shirt as a kerchief. Development Director Michael Nameche thanked his personal network of supporters throughout the day with funny palindromes. CCH Board member Jessica Staiger offered to match her family and friend’s combined donations to CCH with one of her own.

Perhaps the most unique Giving Tuesday campaign on behalf of CCH was a combined effort from fans of the Netflix sketch comedy series I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. A spoof website referring to a particular skit of the show directed fans to make donations to CCH via Venmo. This has been an ongoing source of support for CCH for over a year, but on Giving Tuesday an impressive 45 fans of the show delivered over $700 to CCH.

Thanks to everyone that made contributions of any size to CCH on Giving Tuesday. We often like to say that we are stronger together, and this Giving Tuesday is one more example of that collective power to make change.

Mayra knows a little help can go a long way

Posted on November 15, 2022November 16, 2022 by Erin Sindewald

Mayra Fajardo, a Latinx woman in her 20s, poses in front of the Chicago River, a big smile on her face. She is wearing a white blouse. Banner text reads: Mayra knows a little help can go a long way.

Mayra Fajardo recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). She earned a double major in psychology and criminology/law, with a double minor in history and Spanish. Having navigated high school and college as an unaccompanied student, Mayra is passionate about using her skills and experiences to help others.

Born and raised in Chicago, Mayra moved with her family to Ecuador at 15. A year later, she made the difficult decision to return to Chicago alone to pursue better educational opportunities. Her goal? To provide hope and support for her mother and younger sister.

CCH is proud of our 2022 Marathon Team to End Homelessness! 

Posted on September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 by Karianne Canfield

On Sunday, October 9, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless will once again be stationed at mile 14 of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon to cheer on its largest team to date.  

A record 59 participants chose to support the work of CCH through the Chicago Marathon this year. And no matter what their personal time is in the race, their collective efforts are on track to break all of CCH’s past fundraising records associated with the event. Our marathon team has come a long way since our first year as an official charity partner in 2016 when we recruited five runners. Now just seven years later our team has grown ten times that size!  

The Salt Shed Seasons its Concert Series with Support for CCH

Posted on September 6, 2022September 12, 2022 by Karianne Canfield

This past August, Chicago was introduced to its newest live music/entertainment venue, The Salt Shed. A grand repurposing of the historic 4-acre Morton Salt complex located on the Chicago River, The Salt Shed launched with an inaugural series of 12 outdoor concerts featuring acts like Fleet Foxes, Andrew Bird, and Death Cab For Cutie.

The CCH Associate Board’s appetite for justice raises $13,500 to combat homelessness

Posted on September 6, 2022September 12, 2022 by Karianne Canfield

This past August, Woodie’s Flat in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood hosted 11 contestants with an appetite for social justice and who were ready to put money where their mouth was.  

The Associate Board of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless staged its 2nd Annual Wing Eating Contest and the resulting donations gathered by the contestants totaled $13,500 to support CCH’s mission. 

Back to school without a place to call home

Posted on August 31, 2022September 12, 2022 by Karianne Canfield

Last week marked the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Suburban school districts also started school in recent weeks. After the difficulties and barriers families and students faced over the last two years due to the pandemic, it is more important than ever for schools to identify and support students experiencing homelessness.

Shamaje pays it forward

Posted on August 10, 2022November 18, 2022 by Erin Sindewald

Shamaje, a young Black man, smiles while posing in front of a leafy backdrop. He is wearing a gray Michael Kors sweater. White text reads: Shamaje pays it forward.

At the start of the pandemic, Shamaje Singleton, then 18, was unable to afford housing on his own. He bounced around Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood, living doubled-up with various family members and sharing crowded hotel rooms with friends.

A month after turning 19, Shamaje received wonderful news: He had been accepted into the Solid Ground transitional living program at La Casa Norte. Shamaje instantly connected to the community living in the dorm-style building in Humboldt Park.

Match Opportunity: Support Chicagoans impacted by homelessness by donating to the CCH Mutual Aid Fund today!

Posted on August 4, 2022November 18, 2022 by Karianne Canfield

CCH’s Mutual Aid Fund (MAF) is an innovative, low-barrier direct cash-assistance program for Illinois individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Created in May 2020 in response to the pandemic, the fund was designed by and continues to be managed by grassroots leaders with lived experience of homelessness.

To date, the Mutual Aid Fund has distributed 710 grants of $500, totaling $355,000 in direct assistance!

MAF recipients have used the funds for critical, urgent needs, including security deposits, hotel/motel stays, monthly bus passes for work, and doctor’s appointments and medicines.

Join us in helping even more individuals and families impacted by homelessness: Through October 31, donations up to $50,000 will be matched by long-time community partners Marta Delgado & Sam Nandi.

CCH aims to raise at least $100,000 for the Mutual Aid Fund this year, enough to provide 200 cash grants to community members impacted by homelessness.

Please consider supporting the Mutual Aid Fund today!

Your support makes a difference: CCH’s Mutual Aid Fund in action

“I did the application because I’m living in a difficult situation – I am diabetic and need a balanced diet. Sometimes I go to sleep without a dollar in my pocket, not knowing how I will pay for rent. I used the funds to buy food and pay a portion of my rent.”
Vicente H.

“Being homeless during the pandemic felt impossible, but the fund helped me with food, hygiene products and most importantly art supplies…which helped me to earn more income and to feel more secure in the post-pandemic world, that had seemed to forget the homeless. CCH didn’t forget though…the fund was there to help.”
Trevor R.

“When I found out I was chosen to receive the Mutual Aid Funds, I was so happy and appreciative. I had recently moved into a new apartment and abruptly lost my income temporarily. I was able to open a checking account and had a little cushion to pay my bills. Resources such as this should always be available for hard-working people who do not qualify for government assistance.”
Juanita R.

CCH awards college scholarships to six first-year students, celebrates seven recent graduates

Posted on August 4, 2022February 21, 2023 by Erin Sindewald

Six Chicago area high school graduates have won a CCH college scholarship to support them in their higher education journeys. They were celebrated at a luncheon with CCH staff, selection committee members, and limited guests on July 28.

CCH’s annual award of $3,500 is renewable for up to five years as students work to complete a bachelor’s or associate degree. All first-year winners also received new laptops, made possible with a grant from long-time partner, The Osa Foundation.

Twenty undergraduate students will be supported by the CCH college scholarship program during the 2022 – 2023 school year, including six first-years, six sophomores, three juniors, and five seniors. They are attending colleges and universities in California, Illinois, Georgia, Missouri, and Wisconsin, and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in Georgia and Washington, D.C.