AmeriCorps Members Team Up to Deliver More Than Just Food
Demetrius Lowery and Calvin Jefferson, who we at Housing Forward affectionately call Team DC, have been consistently providing meals to clients who have been moved from a rotating overnight emergency shelter program to individual 24/7 accommodations so they can safely “shelter in place” during the corona outbreak. The number of people being served has grown from 64 to 104 over the past month. This is nearly double the number we would be serving in our regular shelters.
Oak Park Stay-Home Marathon Fundraiser
This weekend, April 25-26, the Straughan family of Oak Park is planning to run a fundraising marathon in their back yard and will split all the funds raised between Housing Forward and Beyond Hunger. Anton Straughan was inspired when he watched a YouTube video of a man in Cheltenham, England running a marathon for charity in his back yard that raised over $40K for the UK National Health Service. It took him more than one thousand trips back and forth in his 20 ft. yard to complete the feat.
With Much Help, Housing Forward is Providing More Than 1600 Client Meals Each Week
Every weekday, each of our 78 clients, many of whom were moved from the rotating PADS shelter sites to individual accommodations, receive breakfast and lunch donated by our volunteers, and dinner from local caterers. On weekends, meals are provided by one local restaurant.
Teens for Jeans
Several weeks ago, eight large cardboard boxes arrived at our Maywood office. Inside were more than 300 pairs of denim blue jeans from the North Riverside Mall Aéropostale store.
With help from donors and volunteers, we support local businesses and our clients at the same time
Today marks two weeks since we moved all clients staying in our 24/7 PADS Shelter at Oak Park Temple to individual accommodations. As you might imagine, it’s been challenging, but with ongoing help from our donors, local restaurants and caterers, and community volunteers, a plan for providing nutritious food is in place.
Housing Forward Video Update
A lot has happened in our world, and for Housing Forward, since we last emailed. I wanted to send an update about what we are doing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last three weeks, we have continued to work to ensure all our clients have the services and support they need. In addition, the health and well-being of our volunteers and staff are at the forefront of our thoughts and actions.
Because this situation is continually evolving, I wanted to share an update through this video, filmed on Friday, March 27.
Housing Forward COVID-19 Updates
HOUSING FORWARD RESPONSE TO COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS)
Housing Forward Bright Spots: Positive Stories during our Agency's Response to COVID-19
Over the past couple weeks, there has been a lot of news about the COVID-19 pandemic–both in our agency communications and in the local and national news. The seriousness of these times is clear. But there is also good news that comes out of this once-in-a-lifetime situation, so we want to share some bright spots!