In the News

The clients, volunteers and staff at the St. John PADS Shelter site have at least one thing in common.

The clients, volunteers and staff at the St. John shelter have at least one thing in common.

With a mix of pain, anger, fear but a core of steel born of years of advocating for those most of us pretend not to know, the agency leaders in Oak Park are turning up the heat.

"Oh yeah, my life is better now that I have a house. I almost gave up before I got the apartment, but Chelsea stopped me." She said, 'Louis, I think we have a place for you.' I thought it was BS at first, but she was sincere. And when it happened, it was pretty cool because I know that these people went to all this trouble for me."

As of July 1, the supportive services intended to keep clients stable in their apartments have been cut by more than 50% due to the state's budget impasse. Housing Forward's now-reduced state contract to support the delivery of critical services to individuals and families residing in supportive housing across our community services area has been signed, but the funding has not started flowing.

Tom Holmes is a Forest Park resident who is a retired minister and longtime volunteer for West Suburban PADS. Tom is also a contributing reporter and blogger for several local newspapers.

The YMCA and PADS are working together to provide a stable place to stay for those experiencing homelessness as they seek employment.

As we turn the page on 2014, we want to express our gratitude for this community’s tremendous generosity and for enabling us to be there for those without a home this holiday season. It is on their behalf that we write this note of appreciation and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2015.

For the holidays, West Suburban PADS and the Proviso Township Mental Health Commission are working to help 65 formerly homeless individuals and families turn their new apartments from housing to home. A household items gift registry has been set up at Target to donate cleaning and household items online.