The Guardian – US shelters see influx of homeless seeking help amid ‘life-threatening’ winter

Posted on by Vanessa Álvarez

By MacKenzie Ryan, December 22, 2022

Burke Patten helps run the Night Ministry, a Chicago non-profit that annually supports 6,000 of the Windy City’s 60,000 unsheltered. As a ferocious and freezing blast of Arctic weather heads into the US he knows it could be lethal for the city’s vulnerable homeless population.

“Unfortunately it’s going to be very dangerous,” said Patten who is Night Ministry’s communications manager. “It’s cold. But it’s going to get a lot worse.”

Continue reading The Guardian – US shelters see influx of homeless seeking help amid ‘life-threatening’ winter

Chicago Tribune- As possible blizzardlike conditions barrel toward Chicago, advocates for homeless work to provide shelter, save lives

Posted on by Vanessa Álvarez

By Jordan Anderson, December 21, 2022

As Chicago braces for possible blizzardlike conditions this week, Andy Robledo headed to West 16th Street and South Union Avenue Tuesday morning to check on two people living in black winterized tents he built. Although it was a cold morning, the weather was nothing like the extreme wind, temperatures and snow expected to roll in Thursday.

Robledo, founder of Feeding People Through Plants, said lives are on the line as people try to survive the approaching elements with subpar living conditions. One man told Robledo the zipper on his tent is broken. Robledo told the man he needs a new tent altogether. It’s just one of the mounting concerns and tasks for Robledo and other advocates in anticipation of the storm.

Continue reading Chicago Tribune- As possible blizzardlike conditions barrel toward Chicago, advocates for homeless work to provide shelter, save lives

Chicago Tribune – Letters: City should help organization that is providing orange tents to people living the street

Posted on by Vanessa Álvarez

By Chicago Tribune, December 19, 2022

Burke Patten helps run the Night Ministry, a Chicago non-profit that annually supports 6,000 of the Windy City’s 60,000 unsheltered. As a ferocious and freezing blast of Arctic weather heads into the US he knows it could be lethal for the city’s vulnerable homeless population.

“Unfortunately it’s going to be very dangerous,” said Patten who is Night Ministry’s communications manager. “It’s cold. But it’s going to get a lot worse.”

Continue Reading

Continue reading Chicago Tribune – Letters: City should help organization that is providing orange tents to people living the street