Blog Archives - Page 8 of 83 - Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week: A reflection from Associate Board Advocacy Chair Lindsay Welbers

Posted on November 19, 2021November 29, 2021 by Vanessa Álvarez

In recognition of National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, CCH is sharing reflections from people who work with us – interns, board, and associate board members – writing about what inspires their work.

Today’s essay is written by Associate Board Advocacy Chair Lindsay Welbers.

Lindsay (left) volunteering in the CCH Riot Fest tent in 2019, pictured here with Community Organizer Bisma Shoukat

Part of the reason that I volunteer to support the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is because they don’t normally ask me for direction. CCH believes that the best people to understand homelessness, and the work that needs to be done to eliminate it, are people who understand that experience. That doesn’t include me, because I have never experienced life on the streets, in a shelter, or doubled-up with someone else. In working with CCH’s grassroots leaders, who do have that experience, I’ve learned a few things: Homelessness is not a moral failing on anyone except the society that allows it to exist, and the kinds of people who experience homelessness are more like me than I thought.

Remembering our mentor, organizer, life coach, and friend, Keith Freeman

Posted on November 18, 2021November 19, 2021 by Vanessa Álvarez

With sad and heavy hearts, we share the news that our friend and colleague Senior Community Organizer Keith Freeman passed away on November 10 after a long illness.

By Grassroots Leaders at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

What words would we use to describe Keith? He was hard-working. He was relentless. He was compassionate, a listener and people person. He was an all-around nice guy. He was a GEM – someone that would always Go the Extra Mile. He not only saw the best in us, but he brought out the best in us.

Remembering Keith Freeman

Posted on November 18, 2021November 29, 2021 by Vanessa Álvarez

Reflections from CCH Staff and Grassroots Leaders

“Keith met no strangers along his way! He saw his fellows as part of his world, community, and I believe, even himself. He had a warm greeting, generous and easy smile, and gave encouragement to most everyone he met. Keith treated each day as a gift, and treated the folks he knew, loved, organized with, and served as gifts themselves. Keith had a passion, a fire, I believe it was akin to a prophetic mission. He believed in the amazing, incredible, and immeasurable skills, talents, and gifts that were inside of people, and he worked along those he knew to help them step into the greatness they had within.”

– Wayne Richard, Director of Organizing

National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week: A reflection from Associate Board President Sara Szwankowski

Posted on November 17, 2021November 29, 2021 by Vanessa Álvarez

In recognition of National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, CCH is sharing reflections from people who work with us – interns, board, and associate board members – writing about what inspires their work.

Today’s essay is written by Associate Board President Sara Szwankowski.

Sara (right) with Holly O’Hern, former AB President

Hi! I’m Sara Szwankowski, a member of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Associate Board. I have been a member since 2016, serving a few roles during my time on the board. I began as a general member, moved into leadership roles with the exec committee, and am currently serving a second term as President of the Associate Board.

Daihana shares her story, resolved to help others

Posted on November 8, 2021November 17, 2021 by Vanessa Álvarez

Daihana Estrada, a recent graduate from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, is no stranger to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. In fact, she has been involved with CCH for more than a decade, as a scholarship winner, an intern, an advocate, and a member of the scholarship selection committee.

She also recently raised $1,890 for CCH through an online fundraiser, garnering support from 65 people from around the world.

Today, Daihana is a first-year attorney, working as a judicial law clerk in Minnesota. Hers is a journey more than 12 years in the making.

Secret talent? Participate in our Variety Show this December!

Posted on October 27, 2021November 17, 2021 by Vanessa Álvarez

By Sophie Babcock, Associate Board Co-Vice President, Events

Do you have a talent or fun skill you’re proud of? Or know someone in your network who does? We are now recruiting participants for the CCH Associate Board’s second annual virtual Variety Show on Thursday, December 16 starting at 7 p.m.

Whether you are a singer, dancer, musician, comic, or just someone who loves to take on a fundraising challenge, we invite you to participate! Last year’s show featured talents ranging from pie-eating to juggling, so please don’t be shy and feel free to think outside of the box.

How to access financial aid though FAFSA

Posted on October 26, 2021October 29, 2021 by Vanessa Álvarez

Many students experiencing homelessness would like to pursue higher education but face many barriers, including unstable housing, hunger, and lack of access to financial resources, that make going to college difficult.

Need based and merit based financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Students (FAFSA) can provide financial resources that allow students to access college. There are multiple ways that one can complete the FAFSA Application – online at studentaid.gov, through the myStudentAid mobile app, by printing a PDF version of the FAFSA Application and mailing it in, or by completing the application on the phone by calling 1-800-433-3243.

Join our 2022 Team to End Homelessness

Posted on October 14, 2021October 27, 2021 by Vanessa Álvarez

CCH is proud to be an affiliate charity for the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, October 9, 2022. We are now recruiting our next Team to End Homelessness, offering a limited number of guaranteed entries to the race.

Runners who join our marathon team before November 30, 2021 will be required to set a $1,250 minimum fundraising goal, to be raised online in conjunction with their race training. Those who join our team after November 30 will be required to set a $1,750 minimum fundraising goal.

Eviction and rental assistance resources in Illinois

Posted on October 14, 2021October 29, 2021 by Vanessa Álvarez

A PDF version of this guide is available here (español).

Since August 1, 2021, landlords have been able to file for eviction for nonpayment of rent. On October 3, 2021, the State of Illinois began enforcing evictions. However, if you are struggling with your rent or are facing eviction, Illinois has a wide variety of resources to help you stay in your home.

Restaurant Meals Program pilot seeks participating restaurants

Posted on September 30, 2021October 1, 2021 by Vanessa Álvarez

By Niya K. Kelly, Director of State Legislative Policy, Equity and Transformation

In 2019, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless worked alongside Heartland Alliance and Shriver Center on Poverty Law to expand the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This legislation allows people who are elderly, disabled, or experiencing homelessness to purchase prepared meals with their SNAP benefits at restaurants or supermarkets with hot bars. This change helps individuals who do not have access to a kitchen or are unable to use their kitchen safely.

Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is piloting the program in targeted zip codes before expanding it to the rest of the state.