StreetLight Chicago: Rebuild Committee

Our Goal 

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is redeveloping its StreetLight Chicago App and Website and launching programming to support these resources in the Chicago community. The App and Website are focused on providing resources primarily to young people 14-24, with a focus on accessing housing, food, and other social services. To ensure the redevelopment meets the needs of its users we are putting together a committee of Service Providers and Youth to provide their expertise and be decision makers in the rebuild.  

Our Scope 

The committee will meet at 3 key points in the redevelopment process: Discovery, App Design, and Web Design, and will be required to review materials and provide feedback for the final development. Your voices will help shape the final features and design of StreetLight Chicago. For each phase there will be two meetings for you to attend, the first will present the materials, and the second will be for feedback.  

The Commitment  

Participating in the StreetLight Chicago Redevelopment Committee you must be able to attend a total of 6 meetings:  

Discovery- June (estimated) 

  1. Presenting materials collected through discovery calls: Features list, priorities for the app, and an outline of functionality.  
  1. Determining the specific goals of StreetLight, and forming ideas on its role accomplishing those goals.  
  1. Providing feedback on the materials presented.  

Design of App – August (estimated) 

  1. Presenting design and flow of app from perspective of users.  
  1. Providing feedback on the materials presented.  
  1. Review app testing plan. (Audience for app test will include committee and select participants in the CCH network)  

Design of Website – September (estimated) 

  1. Presenting design and flow of website from the perspective of users.  
  1. Providing feedback on the materials presented.  
  1. Review app testing results and note any additional changes needed.  

All presentation meetings will be recorded (pending group agreement) and to participate in the committee you should be prepared to attend all 6 calls, if unable to attend a call please set aside time review a recorded session or provide written feedback. In total you will be asked to spend 6 hours over 3 months participating in the committee.  

For Youth 

We invite youth to apply to join the committee and help shape the future of StreetLight Chicago! There will be up to 6 spots on the committee for young people with lived experience; we hope to have a range of lived experiences and ages. To participate you must meet the following:  

  • Are between 14-24 years old on July 1st, 2023
    • We are interested in having the committee represent a variety of age groups and experiences. 
  • Are currently or have in the past experienced housing instability 
    • This can mean sleeping on a friend’s couch, in a car, at an emergency shelter, on the street, or other experiences.
  • Can meet either:  
    • In person at the CCH Office in the Loop
    • Online on Zoom 
  • NOTE: As a committee member you will receive a phone stipend and CTA vouchers whenever asked to meet in person.  

The application closed on June 15th, and if there are more than 6 applicants who meet the above requirements, we will pull names by lottery to select committee members with priority given to have committee members from across age groups. Those selected should expect the following compensation:  

  • $500 stipend  
  • $30 phone bill stipend

At this time the application is now closed.

StreetLight Chicago

Thank you for your interest in participating in our engagement session! We have received many inquiries and this event can safely host 20 individuals. This session is to talk about StreetLight Chicago, an app designed and funded by grants to focus on youth 24 and under.  

We appreciate all interest however priority for the 20 spots will be granted to people ages 14-24  

We know 25+ people use the app. If you are over 24 you can still register, and you will be put on a waitlist. If there are still open spots, we will pull names by lottery and contact you on 5/18 to let you know if we have room.  

Again, we appreciates your interest, and depending on resources we hope be able to host a second session at a later date for those who are unable to join us on this round.  

Thank you for RSVPing, at this time (5/18) registration has closed for this event. Please stay in touch, there will be more events around StreetLight Chicago in the future.

May 19th, 10am-2pm

Taco Bar Lunch

CCH Office, 70 E Lake Street, Chicago IL

Check out the app and website before you come!

Where to Turn for Help When Temperatures Drop

Originally posted January 2022, last updated December 2022.

Chicagoans should call 3-1-1 if they need weather-related assistance in frigid winter weather, including access to homeless shelters or city warming centers.

Here is a list of warming centers in the city:

Englewood Community Service Center
1140 West 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60620
312-747-0200

Garfield Community Service Center (only shelter open at night and on weekends)
10 South Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612
312-746-5400

Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Center
4314 South Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60653
312-747-2300

North Area Community Service Center
845 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640
312-744-2580

South Chicago Community Service Center
8650 South Commercial Avenue, Chicago, IL 60617
312-747-0500

Trina Davila Community Service Center
4312 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60639
312-744-2014

 

In addition to functioning as a warming center, Garfield Community Service Center at 10 South Kedzie Avenue is open 24-hours day, seven days a week to connect families and residents to emergency shelter.

Chicago residents can also seek shelter at Chicago Public Library locations and select Park District buildings during business hours. Library locations and hours of operations available here. Park District information is available here.

Older adults are welcome at one of the city’s 21 Senior Centers. Location and hours are available here.

In the suburbs, people can contact police non-emergency numbers to ask about warming centers, many of which are housed in police station lobbies and libraries. To find a warming center statewide, see www.keepwarm.illinois.gov

People experiencing homelessness can seek legal aid by calling the CCH Law Project at 1 (800) 940-1119.