As the cold temperatures begin to set it, it’s hard not to think about the thousands of people who are experiencing homelessness in Chicago. Homelessness is a huge problem in Chicago and across the country. It can be overwhelming to think about what you can do to solve such a challenging issue.
Unity Parenting and Counseling knows that homelessness is a big problem, but we also know that we can make a big difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Unity Parenting and Counseling is here to provide you with practical solutions for helping the homeless population in Chicago. We will also describe some of the programs we offer and explain how they help homeless youth in Chicago.
10 Practical Ways You Can Help the Homeless in Chicago
You can make a difference to the homeless population in many ways. Here are 10 practical ways you can help people experiencing homelessness in Chicago.
1. Make a Monetary Donation
Monetary donations are a simple, yet effective, way to help the homeless population. Be on the lookout for nonprofit organizations or companies that will match your donation. That way, you can double your donation easily.
2. Donate Basic Necessities
Homeless shelters and service organizations are in desperate need of everyday essentials. Items such as socks, underwear, feminine hygiene products, and personal care items are in high demand.
3. Volunteer
There are many volunteer opportunities available to help the homeless in Chicago. You could volunteer at a homeless shelter or service organization. Additionally, you could package donations and distribute them throughout the community.
4. Build Homes
Help increase the number of affordable housing options in Chicago! Build homes with Habitat for Humanity. You could also donate building materials to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. Check out Habitat for Humanity Chicago to learn more.
5. Support Local Restaurants That Help Homeless and Hungry Citizens
Go to restaurants that support people in need in Chicago. The Infatuation has created a guide to highlight restaurant initiatives that are giving back to the Chicago community. Visit these restaurants to help the community.
6. Use Your Business to Help People in Need
If you have your own business and need good, dependable help, consider employing jobseekers from vulnerable populations such as the homeless, formerly incarcerated, or veterans.
7. Join Grassroots Groups in Chicago to Help the Homeless
Check out Grassroots Collaborative in Chicago. They work with a variety of organizations, including the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, to create transformative change to win fully-funded resources for our public schools, social services, and affordable housing on which working families depend.
8. Donate Household Goods to Thrift Stores
Furniture donations are especially critical for low-income families. Your donations can help formerly homeless people who are transitioning to housing feel secure and comfortable in their homes.
9. Remember Youth Homelessness
Unaccompanied youth experience homelessness differently than adults. Therefore, they require different services to address their needs. Take time to learn more about youth homelessness in your community. Donate to, or volunteer with, youth shelters and service organizations such as Unity Parenting and Counseling.
10. Contact Your Elected Officials
Tell your local elected officials that they need to improve the homeless crisis in Chicago. We need more supportive housing, more beds available for those experiencing homelessness, and more effective ways of managing housing insecurity.
Ways That Unity Parenting and Counseling Helps Homeless Youth in Chicago
Unity Parenting and Counseling provides a variety of programs to help homeless youth in Chicago. These programs include an emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing.
Emergency Shelter
Emergency shelters offer individuals and families short-term stabilization before they find housing solutions to meet their long-term needs. Through Ujima Village, Unity Parenting and Counseling provides resources and services to neglected and underserved populations.
Ujima Village
Ujima Village offers overnight shelter for homeless youth, ages 18-24, and is located on the border of Greater Grand Crossing and Englewood. Ujima Village provides services that satisfy the basic needs of housing, food, personal hygiene, security, connectivity, mobility, and youth engagement.
Transitional Housing
The goal of transitional housing is to help individuals and families obtain permanent housing as quickly as possible. Unity Parenting and Counseling provides transitional housing at Harmony Village and through the Ujima Stars Joint Transitional Housing and Rapid Rehousing model.
Harmony Village
The Harmony Village Transitional Housing Program provides housing for homeless, unaccompanied youth, ages 18-24. Harmony Village houses and serves both single and parenting youth. Harmony is one of the few resources for pregnant/parenting youth, particularly on Chicago’s underserved South Side. Harmony Village is the only Chicago youth housing program that serves young couples and their children.
Ujima Stars Joint Transitional Housing and Rapid Rehousing
Ujima Stars Joint Transitional Housing and Rapid Rehousing Program provides housing and support services to homeless youth, ages 18-24, including singles and youth-headed families. Ujima STARS serves all genders and sexual orientations. It provides employment skills, builds confidence, and links to jobs and job coaching.
Permanent Supportive Housing
Permanent supportive housing provides intensive support services to those who are experiencing homelessness and also have physical or mental impairments and/or substance abuse issues. Unity Parenting and Counseling provides permanent supportive housing at Umoja Village and through the Focus Hope programs.
Umoja Village
Umoja Village provides long-term housing and support services for homeless youth with disabilities such as mental illness, developmental delays, HIV/AIDS, and other medical issues. The services that Umoja Village provides help reduce the youth’s need for crisis services such as emergency room care, psychiatric and medical hospitalizations, and even arrests and incarcerations.
Focus Hope
Focus Hope I and Focus Hope II provide much-needed permanent housing programs for special populations such as individuals or families headed by homeless disabled individuals. These innovative programs provide homeless individuals and families with safe and secure housing on Chicago’s South Side.
Support the Mission of Unity Parenting and Counseling
Unity Parenting and Counseling offers programs and services to individuals, families, and youths in need in Chicago. Our programs and services are designed to meet the needs of persons, populations, and communities who are underserved and ignored. Our goal is to support each person in achieving stability. Donate to Unity Parenting and Counseling today to help support our mission.