Featured Archives - Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

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

Posted on December 8, 2016September 15, 2017 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

Giving Tuesday: Thank you for your generous support

Posted on November 30, 2016September 15, 2017 by Anne Bowhay

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

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

Posted on November 17, 2016September 15, 2017 by Anne Bowhay

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

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 November 14, 2016September 15, 2017 by Anne Bowhay

StreetLight 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

Chicago Public School layoffs hit homeless students

Posted on August 9, 2016September 15, 2017 by Hannah Willage

Chicago Public School layoffs of more than 500 teachers and 500 support staff will disproportionately impact homeless students. Last school year, CPS identified 18,831 homeless students, which was 4.8% of its total enrollment.

Homelessness often has significant negative impacts on students — academically, socially, and emotionally. Homeless students face greater barriers to enrollment, attendance, and success in school than their housed peers. Continue reading Chicago Public School layoffs hit homeless students

Relationships

Posted on August 4, 2016August 4, 2016 by Hannah Willage

Gloria Davis talks to Crystal Sahler about relationships, how they are always changing, and how relationships can last a lifetime.

Thank you to StorpCorps for the photo and recording.

If you would like to invite Gloria Davis, Crystal Sahler or any of other members of the CCH Speakers Bureau to present at your organization, school, or civic group, please contact jayme@chicagohomeless.org or fill out the on-line request form.

Taishi has found her public voice – now she’s a leader on her Local School Council

Posted on July 11, 2016September 15, 2017 by Anne Bowhay

Taishi Neuman wanted to help other families coping with homelessness. First homeless herself at age 15, she experienced homelessness again after multiple sclerosis left her unable to continue work as a nursing home assistant.

Still, Taishi thought she was too quiet to speak up.

Then she met a community organizer from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. He was running an outreach session, telling parents at her transitional housing program how they could work with the coalition to remedy school issues faced by homeless families. Continue reading Taishi has found her public voice – now she’s a leader on her Local School Council

CCH Video: Sofas

Posted on December 31, 2015January 4, 2016 by Vanessa Álvarez

Have you see this digital short story by Wayne Richard? Wayne is CCH’s associate organizing director for training development. His work includes running Horizons, an outreach program that encourages shelter residents to express themselves through creative writing. About 100 people participate each year, most of them mothers living at family shelters in Chicago.

Join us as a member today

Posted on April 16, 2015September 20, 2017 by Vanessa Álvarez

We are grateful to you for supporting our community organizers, policy experts and legal aid attorneys who are fighting to end the cycle of extreme poverty and homelessness. Together, we can ensure the development of effective solutions to the issues faced by the ever-growing number of homeless families, youth and adults.