Solving Homelessness

As my service year as an AmeriCorps member has come to an end, I reflect on my experience at Beyond Hunger – one of Housing Forward’s partner agencies.

Three important things to share as the new shelter season approaches.

We are now listed as a Community Partner on The HUB, a searchable database dedicated to connecting people with the quality care and services they need. Read more about resources offered by reading more or visiting www.healthconnectionhub.org.

Living on the street or in homeless shelters exacerbates existing health problems and causes new ones. Chronic diseases, such as hypertension, asthma, diabetes, mental health problems and other ongoing conditions, are difficult to manage under stressful circumstances and may worsen. All health issues are difficult to recover from when there is no place to rest and recuperate.

We are pleased to recognize the generous donors in our top sponsorship tiers for this year's Housing Forward Have-a-Heart Gala on February 23rd. Their leadership level support means a great deal to us. There is still time to buy ads in our program book, sponsor tables and of course, buy tickets for the event. We are also extremely pleased to welcome Colin Donnell as our host for the evening. Mr. Donnell is an accomplished actor, currently starring on NBC's "Chicago Med" which films in Chicago.

Adar is finally stably housed after living under bridges, in stranger's cars, on sidewalks, in doorways, in woods and at times couch surfing for almost 3 years. After being homelessness once before, Adar had made a promise to himself to stay on the straight and narrow to avoid being in that position ever again. He had a steady job as massage therapist, a car and an apartment, but after a break-up depression hit. He wanted be a "normal guy” but things quickly fell apart.

Armando Smith, Director of Operations & Client Services, traveled to Bloomington, Illinois for the 2018 Housing Matters! Conference, entitled “Leading the Way ” October 25-26. He joins nearly 300 individuals and organizations who care about expanding and protecting affordable housing and ending homelessness in Illinois.  The two-day program features several plenary speakers, interactive breakout sessions, and workshops in four tracks: Public Policy Advocacy, Ending Homelessness, Housing Counseling, and Affordable Housing Development. 

On October 5th, we celebrated the graduation of our 29th Career Passport Employment Readiness class. The program, which began in 2009, offers a curriculum customized for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability and takes in consideration the additional challenges that population faces.

Housing Forward’s 8th Annual Trivia Night, Compete to Defeat Homelessness took place on July 12 at Fitzgerald's Nighclub in Berwyn. The impressive first place trophy was awarded to Team Bro Bozos whose members were Pam & Charlie Meyerson, Jane & Josh Ditelberg, Janice Kieckhefer and Jake Skubbish -- but we believe at an event like this, everyone is a winner.