Meet Mark and Joanie, recent
Graduates of the Lincoln Park Community Shelter. Their story proves that
the path to homelessness is complex – no one decision or circumstance led
directly to their homelessness. However, a series of events over time resulted
in an almost unavoidable outcome.
Mark lost his job of 12 years at the same time his elderly
mother needed extra help. Joanie’s job as a home health worker was
inconsistent, and her own health problems sometimes made it difficult to work. She
longed to finish college for a more stable career. But there was no time to
pursue more education and training. They were just trying to keep up.
The roof in their apartment began to leak and it was no
longer livable. They found themselves faced with impossible decisions – pitch
in financially and physically to help his mother, or resort to nursing home
care? Move to an unsafe neighborhood to save on rent, or move in with family in
the suburbs but pay more to commute to work? Seek needed medical care and pay
out of pocket, or ignore serious health problems and hope they will resolve
themselves?
Transportation, healthcare, and housing costs continued to
pile up until Mark and Joanie reached a breaking point and were faced with the most
difficult decision – moving into a shelter.
After living separately in different shelters, and periods
of time living together on the streets, they finally found LPCS.
Even though they both were working, they hadn’t been able to
accumulate enough savings and stabilize enough to move into housing again. “At
other shelters, people used to ask ‘if you have a job, why not an apartment?’
It is not that simple to move, you need enough money for deposit, rent, and
security.”
They didn’t want to hurriedly move and then be susceptible
again to circumstances outside their control, like a layoff or illness. During
more than 18 months at LPCS, Mark and Joanie were able to address neglected
health concerns, secure steady employment, save money, and eventually take the
final step in rebuilding their lives by moving into their own apartment in
September.
At LPCS we understand that just like the path to
homelessness, the path out of
homelessness is also complex. We are able to approach each individual situation
with a unique set of resources and guidance that truly helps Guests remove
barriers and rebuild their lives one step at a time. Many Guests are in Mark
and Joanie’s situation – a quarter already have some steady income, but not
enough to afford rent; nearly 70% have some college education; many have consistent
work and housing histories; most need support on multiple fronts to help put
their lives back together. Our programs work consistently to succeed in helping
70% of Guests move back into stable,
permanent housing after their stay at LPCS.
Mark and Joanie’s success, that that of all our Guests, is
due to your direct support. LPCS is completely privately funded and we rely on
your continued support to keep helping Guests like Mark and Joanie – and
hundreds of others each year – take the steps they need to leave homelessness
behind. Please make your gift today.
Many thanks,
Erin Ryan, Executive Director
Exciting News! You can now double
your donation! An anonymous donor will match any new or increased gift, up to $10,000! Help us meet the challenge
and finish 2012 on a strong note!