Voices from the Lincoln Park Community Shelter

Meet an LPCS Graduate!

2012-02-02T12:58:00.000-06:00

We love to share to good news when someone graduates from LPCS. Here is the story of one individual who graduated recently:

Lisa*, in her mid-60’s, came to the United States almost three years ago. After looking for work onEast Coast, she moved to Chicago where shethought her employment opportunities wouldbe greater. However, she was not able to obtain employment here and became homeless, enteringLPCS. Lisa worked diligently in job training programs and in computerclasses to increase her employment skills but was never able successfully landa job. In addition to working towards her goals, Lisa became veryinvolved in doing volunteer work at two local churches. This summer, Lisabecame very ill and spent several weeks in the hospital. After herrelease she needed frequent treatments on an outpatient basis. Since shestill needed an intensive level of medical intervention while she recovered,which could not be provided at LPCS, Lisa initially went from the hospitaldirectly to Interfaith House, a shelter for peoplewith substantial medical needs and who are homeless. Her case manager at LPCS kept in close contact with the social workers atInterfaith to make sure that her transition back to LPCS went as smoothly aspossible. Shortly after herreturn to LPCS this fall, she was informedthat an apartment was available for her in a permanent supported housingprogram. She now has her own apartment in Edgewater and has maintainedmany contacts through her church activities, as well at LPCS. She hasgotten a clean bill of health from her physicians and is very happily living inthe community once again.

*name changed to protect identity

Giving Back

2012-01-26T12:44:00.000-06:00

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something, and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do something that I can do."

--Edmund Everett Hale, Writer

This quote came across my desk recently and I was immediately struck by it. Edmund Everett Hale captures the essence of what drives many of our volunteers to give their time and energy to LPCS and its guests. Since the recession hit, like many organizations, we have seen an increase in the number of volunteers. Our volunteers come from all walks of life. Many have been with the organization since its beginnings in 1985, others have only been volunteering a short while, while most fall somewhere in between. We always ask new volunteers why they want to volunteer at LPCS. More often than not, their response is about giving back to their community. More and more we are hearing that people want to volunteer not only to give back and help those in need, but because they are grateful--grateful that they are lucky enough to still have a job, a home. Stories like these are what the quote above reminded me of. Volunteering has been a part of our nation since its inception and it is important that we continue this tradition today. Even our guests give back to the community through the GIVE program (Guests in Volunteer Experience), donating their time to area nonprofits while networking and building skills.

Think you are too busy to volunteer? Try micro-volunteering! Sites like Sparked are popping up, connecting busy individuals with organizations (including LPCS) that have projects that don't necessarily need to be done on site.

So for those of you who volunteer, either at LPCS or elsewhere, thank you for continuing a meaningful tradition. In case you are interested, you can read more about the history of volunteerism here.

--Heather Pressman, Community Relations Manager

Keeping the Neighborhood Safe

2012-01-12T13:47:00.003-06:00

Last winter, LPCS received a surprise one day--we had been awarded "Excellence in Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal" from the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Mayor's Pedestrian Advisory Council! LPCS was nominated in conjunction with Lincoln Park Neighbors for Safety, a neighborhood organization. Over the last several winters, Lincoln Park Neighbors for Safety has employed our guests to snow blow and shovel the neighborhood. This is a great partnership that not only benefits our neighbors and guests, but pedestrians who are trying to make their way through the neighborhood as well. LPCS is proud to partner with Lincoln Park Neighbors for Safety to help keep the neighborhood safe and navigable in the snow. As the city readies for the first storm of the season, our guests are ready to get to work to keep the neighborhood safe for all!

You can read more about LPCS' snow removal efforts in an article written just after last year's historic blizzard: http://skylinenewspaper.com/News/02-09-2011/Homeless_shovel_out_Chicago_neighbors.

What will you change in 2012?

2011-12-29T11:45:00.002-06:00

This is the time of year when people reflect back on the year that is about to pass, and look forward to the year to come. This is also the time when many people make New Year's resolutions. Most of these resolutions involve one thing--change. We asked guests to share their resolutions, or plans for change, for 2012. Not surprisingly, many of the things that made the list are shared by people all over: to cut back or stop smoking, eat better, lose weight, to be a better person, to be more patient. Reducing the amount of time on Facebook also made the list. Resolving not to make resolutions also appeared. Many guests' goals, however, exhibit a fierce determination. More than one person responded that they will work harder to get a job and housing. My favorite response to the question of "what will you change in 2012?"--"my address."

New Experiences

2011-12-15T11:34:00.001-06:00

We love it when volunteers share their experiences of volunteering at LPCS. We recently received an article written about a Wisconsin youth group's trip to Chicago and wanted to share it with you. Enjoy!

If you walked into the Lincoln Park Community Shelter in Chicago, IL on July 31, you would have seen 15 people from Menomonie's First Congregational United Church of Christ. Kids and adults alike would be found playing games, preparing a supper, and laughing with the guests in the homeless shelter.

The group of 6 adults and 9 youth left on Friday, July 29, for a long, long drive down to the Windy City. Upon arriving, the group stayed at St. Pauls United Church of Christ in the Lincoln Park area. Three teams prepared tow breakfasts, two dinners, and three bunches of sack lunches over the course of three days. The preparation entailed planning, shoppiung for, cooking, and plating and serving each meal.

This was the first mission trip for many of the youth, and it really showed them that not everybody has a place to come home to every night. The Lincoln Park Community Shelter is a facility in the Lincoln Park neighborhood that provides housing and meals for 35 homeless people. Because it's privately funded, the guests, as they are called, can stay as long as they need to. Some of the men and women staying at the shelter have jobs or are going to school and are making the transition into permanent housing, which is the goal of the program. When they leave, a spot opens up and a new person comes into the shelter. Alumni of LPCS (Graduates) often volunteer once they have left, creating a cycle of good-deed doing.

The experience was a new one for the youth. "It really made me realize that people on the street sometimes have good skills and just need some help to get into a shelter and have a better life," saus Sean Williams who went on the trip with his father Todd and his younger brother Max. Rachel Ropella says, "Going to Chicago truly opened my eyes about how I see poverty and how much of a difference serving them with a smile makes."

Fifteen adults and youth returned Tuesday, August 2, with a new way pf perceiving the world. Everyone had a great time, as is evidenced by their blog: uccchicagomissiontrip.blogspot.com. For more information about the trip, contact First Congregational UCC at 715-235-5838.

--Emily Billingsley, First Congregational UCC

Our Generous Community

2011-12-08T16:45:00.000-06:00

Decorating the Community Room Wednesday afternoon, I started thinking about all of the wonderful things about working at LPCS during the holidays. As the official Volunteer Coordinator, and the unofficial “Donation Coordinator,” I am in the unique position of being on the receiving end of a lot of giving. While LPCS is fortunate enough to receive many volunteer and donation inquiries year-round, the holidays seem to bring out more generosity than I thought possible! Everyone is ready to bring over their old coats, drop off extra food, and spend every spare moment making sure that our volunteer calendar is full. I could not feel part of a more thoughtful community.

The constant inflow of donations, food, and time are incredibly magnificent. Because our guests are staying at LPCS for longer periods of time, we have less turnover and are serving fewer people overall, which means there are only so many coats, scarves, boots, etc. that we can use at any given time. We want to make sure that your generous donations are getting to the people who need them the most, so we sometimes “re-donate” extra items to another worthy charity, to ensure that we are “spreading the wealth” and making sure that everyone can have a warm and bright holiday season!

Want to help LPCS in an easy way? Remind your friends and family to spread holiday cheer year-round. One of our goals is to make sure that we can spread “holiday cheer” with every guest, whether they stay here from September to January, or March to October. Everyone deserves a CTA pass, a variety of food to eat, and good shoes to walk in. Encourage everyone to designate a random month in the year in which they donate and volunteer with the same fervor that they expel during the winter holiday season. Better yet, encourage them, if able, to give continuously throughout the year, even if that means smaller amounts of time and items. We understand that not everyone is able to volunteer on a regular basis, so don’t think your efforts are unappreciated by any means!

I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has, and will, donate and volunteer this year at LPCS. We would not be able to do what we do without all of you! The holidays can be an especially hard time for our guests, and they notice and appreciate the extra effort by volunteers and donors during this time, as they will throughout the year.

--Elli Krandel, Volunteer Coordinator

What are you grateful for?

2011-11-24T12:15:00.001-06:00

On Thanksgiving, people around the country gather around tables filled with turkey, sweet potatoes, pie and more. Many people take this as an opportunity to reflect on and share some of the many things that they are grateful for. Here at LPCS, some of our guests have already been reflecting. We recently asked guests "What are you grateful for?" Both simple and complex things made the list: The sun. Health. Family. LPCS. Here is a sampling of the responses we received:

"For the volunteers that bring their smiles."
"Strangers who have become friends."
"That my daughter continues to tell me she loves me."
"Being able to help other people."
"The help being offered from so many people that support homeless people."
"A chance to go back to work and get a place of my own again."

The staff at LPCS is grateful for a supportive community of friends, neighbors, and volunteers who have given their time and resources to ensure that the Lincoln Park Community Shelter continues to help men and women make the life changes necessary to move from homelessness to a home of their own. From everyone here, thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you volunteers!

2011-11-17T12:18:00.019-06:00

On Thursday, November 3^rd, the Lincoln Park Community Shelter opened its doors even wider than usual to accommodate guests, staff, and volunteers for our annual Volunteer Appreciation event. By all standards, the event was a HUGE success. Hosted by the Graduate Council, the evening featured a wonderful Mediterranean meal, complete with Falafel, home-made Greek Salad, Sautéed Vegetables, Spanikopita, and Greek Chicken. All attendees agreed that the food was delicious! The standout for the evening though was definitely the Cornucopia Cake created by one of the guests. Beautiful AND delicious, what could be better?

Towards the end of evening, we handed out awards to several volunteers who have gone above and beyond in the past year. Award recipients were voted on by the guests. The Mission Award, given in recognition of a “hands on” volunteer who has demonstrated a commitment to furthering the mission of LPCS by his/her direct volunteer service with guests, was given to Brad & Karin, a couple who have been serving meals here for over 10 years--most of that time just the two of them! They truly know how to run a kitchen. The Vision Award, given in recognition of a “behind the scenes” volunteer who, through his/her continued active support of LPCS, has furthered the broader vision of LPCS, was awarded to Joel, the leader of our Tech Team, an active Track Activity volunteer, and good friend to guests and staff. Joel has spent countless hours helping maintain our wonderful computer lab, as well as staff computers. We very literally would not be functioning without him and his hard work! The final award of the evening was the Community Partnership Award. Given in recognition of an organization or institution that fosters community and support for LPCS and its mission through collaboration with LPCS, this year’s award went to the ChicagoPhotography Center. The CPC has been helping many of our guests and grads develop their photography skills, the importance of which can hardly be put into words. This creative outlet has given many people a new passion. This January, for the third time, CPC is hosting a photography exhibition of guest and Graduate work. Stay tuned for more information!

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend and help make it such a special evening! We look forward to the next opportunity to spend time with this incredibly supportive community. We could not do what we do without each and every one of you. Thank you to all of our volunteers!

In Remembrance

2011-11-10T11:09:00.000-06:00

As a Volunteer Manager, I get the joy of getting to know many wonderful people who give their time and energy to LPCS. Sometimes though, my job can be sad as well. Earlier this month we learned that one of LPCS’ long time volunteers had passed away. Jo Ann Bogdanor Hurd Reynolds, aged 71, died October 4 of complications from ovarian cancer. JoAnn had been an LPCS volunteer for many years.

I attended the memorial service for JoAnn that was held on October 29th at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church. There were about 100 people in attendance from all walks of JoAnn’s life. Knowing only JoAnn the volunteer, it was touching to hear stories from some of her family and close friends. They told of a woman who was known as feisty, determined, very generous, and always well dressed. At LPCS, we knew the generous JoAnn. She helped prepare dinner and sack lunches with members of her church, Lincoln Park Presbyterian. And each month for many years, JoAnn would serve as an overnight volunteer, providing supervision to the 35 guests of the Lincoln Park Community Shelter. Guests appreciated her attention to detail and no-nonsense approach, and she was consistently voted one of their favorite overnight volunteers!

Jo Ann was born in St Louis. She graduated from Ferguson High School and the University of Missouri with a BA in History, and did graduate work at the University of Illinois. She was a member of Alpha Phi sorority. She moved to Chicago where she began a long and valued career at IBM, working at branches in Chicago and Houston and at headquarters in White Plains, NY. She was an elder and choir member at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church in Chicago, and at Presbyterian churches in Houston and Fairfield, CT.
In honor of JoAnn’s giving spirit, the family requested that in lieu of flowers gifts be made to Lincoln Park Community Shelter, Sarah's Circle, or to any other of the many charities with which she was active. JoAnn is survived by her husband David; brothers John and James; children John, Judith, Susan and Rachel; and grandchildren David, George and Connor.

Thank you for all that you did for LPCS, JoAnn. You will be missed.

--Heather Pressman, Community Relations Manager

JoAnn Reynolds

What A Night!

2011-11-02T10:58:00.000-05:00

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s A Taste of Fall event! As they listened to the acoustic sounds of the Tony Bondi Project, guests tasted the night away, experiencing a variety of yummy treats and cocktails generously donated by our vendors. Staff from Gejas Café, located in Lincoln Park, served up the sweet and the savory with their chocolate and cheese fondues; the lentil soup from Nesh Mediterranean Grill was a huge hit and Death’s Door Spirits brought in the tastes of the season with their autumn themed gin and vodka cocktails. Meanwhile, our VIP guests enjoyed a fun craft cocktail demonstration by Michael Killmer of Templeton Rye. A few bidding wars broke out on some of our amazing silent auction items, including a Chicago Hawks jersey, signed by Duncan Keith. Thank you to everyone who helped raise nearly $17,000 to benefit the Lincoln Park Community Shelter!

A special thanks to all of our in-kind and financial sponsors who made this fantastic night possible!

LONGEVITY SPONSORS

Bob and Mary DeCresce

PROSPERITY SPONSOR

IN-KIND DONORS

DRINK

Agave Loco Brands

Death’s Door Spirits

Goose Island Brewery

Templeton Rye

Koval

FOOD

Austrian Bakery and Deli

Basil Leaf Café

Geja’s Café

Getta Polpetta

J. Alexanders

Kincades

Nesh

Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine

MUSIC

The Tony Bondi Project

PRINTING

International Label and Printing Co., Inc.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Paul Saini

DÉCOR

Daniel Stober

Meet an LPCS Graduate!

2011-10-20T12:27:00.025-05:00

We love to share to good news when someone graduates from LPCS. Here is the story of one individual who graduated earlier this year:

Steve* entered LPCS with a lifetime history of over 30 years of substance abuse problems. A former truck driver, he has also lost his driver's license due to his failure to make child-support payments. Once in the shelter, he went through intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment for more than two months, and attended at least 6 AA meetings per week. In addition to working on his sobriety, Steve took a 5 week long computer course and completed a job readiness program where he worked on his resume, practiced writing cover letters, and did extensive mock interviewing. Working with an employment counselor, within a few weeks of the job readiness program ending Steve obtained a short-term factory job to gain current employment experience. Using the income he earned from that position, he was able to pay the back child-support payments and obtained his drivers license once again. Steve then applied and was accepted to be a full-time driver for PACE paratransit services, earning a living wage with excellent benefits. He has now moved into his own apartment, sees his family members on a regular basis, and has been sober for almost 2 years.

*Name has been changed to protect identity

What are you doing for World Homeless Action Day?

2011-10-07T19:56:00.001-05:00

Monday, October 10th will be the second annual World Homeless Action Day. In Chicago alone there are over 21,000 homeless individuals on a given night. Anyone can become homeless and stereotypes need to be replaced with accurate information. Most guests at the shelter never expected to be homeless. They previously had jobs and housing and just need assistance accessing resources so they can get back on their feet.

With millions of people around the world dealing with homelessness, it is clear that this is an issue that needs attention and that is exactly what the day was created to do. One of the co-founders, Brianna Karp, was in her early twenties when she lost her job and became homeless. While still homeless she became an advocate for other homeless people and started World Homeless Action Day as an opportunity for members of all communities to get involved. Hers is truly an inspirational story.

How can you observe World Homeless Action Day? You can respond to homelessness locally, by getting involved at a community shelter or outreach center and by using the day as a platform to speak out about the needs of the homeless. Since it is only the second year of this day of observance, its existence is not yet widely known. For this reason, it is more important than ever for us to share this information with others to allow for continued expansion of participation from organizations and community members. It also means we need to be creative in developing collaborative methods for observing this day. Homelessness can end, but only with community-wide involvement.

Meet an LPCS Graduate!

2011-09-22T12:57:00.000-05:00

We love to share to good news when someone graduates from LPCS. Here is the story of one individual who graduated in the late spring of this year:

Allen* entered the shelter several years ago with a long history of alcoholism, big gaps in his employment history, and going through some serious depression and anxiety. His case manager was able to connect him to mental health treatment on a regular basis. In addition, he entered into outpatient treatment for his alcohol problems and went to several support group meetings per week. Allen had never received his high school diploma and entered into a GED class. Slowly over time his mood began to improve and he developed a much more positive attitude. He diligently attended his GED classes over several months and though he initially failed one part of the exam, with the help of a volunteer tutor he was able to overcome that difficulty and did obtain his GED. He also took a computer class, attended a job readiness program, and a job training program as well. Recently, he was even asked to be a tutor to other GED students where he had taken classes. Finally, after a long wait, he was able to move into his own large one bedroom apartment and become permanently housed in the community. He has now been sober for over 2 years.

*Name has been changed to protect anonymity.

A New Journey

2011-09-16T17:53:00.003-05:00

As the new Program Intern at LPCS, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself and to express my gratitude to the guests, staff, and volunteers for welcoming me so graciously into the LPCS family. My name is Keri Arnholz. I currently reside on the North side of Chicago. I am a social work graduate student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, with a concentration in Community Health and Urban Development. I have joined LPCS for my final year in grad school.

After almost six years working in social services, I remain committed as ever to issues of social justice, including homelessness and poverty. My previous experience in acute & long-term inpatient settings has helped me become more aware of the importance of community-based organizations in promoting long-term self-sufficiency and a greater quality of life. As a proponent of empowerment practice, it has been exciting to see how this concept is truly present throughout all programs, activities, and day-to-day interactions at LPCS. It has also been exciting to witness an interim housing model, including wrap-around services after learning about the increased emphasis on its importance in combating homelessness. LPCS embodies all of the major components of the interim housing model in a way that I never imagined I would find.

It is my honor to be a part of this organization. I look forward to learning from the insight and knowledge of staff, volunteers, and guests, as well as utilizing my experience to contribute to the LPCS mission.

Thank you!

Keri

Welcome Elli!

2011-09-01T10:22:00.002-05:00

Around this time of year, the staff at LPCS say goodbye to familiar faces, and welcome new ones. LPCS, like many other non-profit agencies, utilize various volunteer service corps to fill certain positions (such as AmeriCorps, Lutheran Volunteer Corps, etc.). Working with these groups is a wonderful experience both for LPCS and the volunteer. Volunteers bring with them a fresh perspective and wonderful ideas. For the volunteer, they get to learn or improve a new set of skills. So this fall, as we get ready to say goodbye to Julia Weegar, our Volunteer Coordinator and AmeriCrops*VISTA for the past year, we welcome Elli Krandel who will be taking over Julia's role as Volunteer Coordinator. So, in her own words, is a little bit about Elli!

Hi! My name is Elli Krandel. Originally from Woodstock, Illinois, I attended the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where I received a degree in Economics, and I am super excited to start this next part of my life by working for LPCS. I will be joining LPCS as the new Volunteer Coordinator, and as an AVODAH fellow.

AVODAH is a year-long service program for people in their 20s combining work at non-profit agencies with pluralistic Jewish learning and living, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of it.

I have always been interested in various social justice issues. In college, I was the treasurer for an organization called Challah for Hunger, which sells challah, a traditional Jewish bread, to raise money for various non-profit organizations. When I found AVODAH, I was really excited about the opportunity to explore my passion for anti-poverty work, while continuing to investigate the connection between Judaism and social justice work. I was equally excited when I saw the opportunity to work at LPCS. I think the work the shelter does is incredible, and I cannot wait to do my part to help the organization continue providing vital services to the community.

So join us in welcoming Elli to the LPCS team!

Goodbye, Katie!

2011-08-25T12:55:00.000-05:00

After two years at LPCS, Katie McNamara is moving on to another organization. She wanted to take the time to say "Goodbye and thank you LPCS guests, volunteers, and staff!"

When I was a junior in high school, our Humanities teacher gave us the homework assignment to: Intentionally put yourself in a new and uncomfortable position for a day and report back. My friend and I decided to “be homeless for a day”. We went to the thrift store and bought “homeless looking” clothes, allocated only enough money for the train ride from the suburbs into Chicago, left our wallets at home, perched ourselves in front of the train station at Madison and Canal, and begged for change so that we could get back home at the end of the day and maybe get a bite to eat. Looking back, I realize how ghastly naive this was, but I see what my 16 year old self was trying to accomplish. I was searching for some kind of understanding around what it meant to be homeless; what was the day to day experience of these mysterious folks I saw on the streets of Chicago?; is it easy to be homeless?; is it hard?; what are these people like?; should I feel bad for them?; should I help them?

Now, almost 10 years later, and having worked at the Lincoln Park Community Shelter for two years, these answers are coming into focus. Mostly, the answer is “it depends.” It’s no surprise that this is not something one can discover from a one day high school homework project, in which we received an A for effort and an F at “being homeless.” These days, as a graduate student receiving a Master of Arts in Social Work and taking on the role of Case Manager at LPCS, my “assignments” are more sophisticated, but sometimes still as uncomfortable and new. There are serious emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual challenges that our guests face; however, the most surprising aspect of my time at LPCS was that, despite the heart-wrenching stories that come through the door, it is generally a happy, loose, comfortable place to be. I’ve appreciated that our On Track Program sticks to the philosophy of empowering homeless individuals to make life changes; this fosters an environment where the infamous “burn out” of social service providers is largely avoided. LPCS was also a wonderful place to be because of our volunteers. As Volunteer Coordinator, I would often say that opening up my work email absolutely restored my faith in humanity. It was consistently filled with messages from enthusiastic, creative people asking how they can help out.

My next position will be as a social work intern at the Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Medical Center in their Addiction Treatment Program. It is frightening sometimes to consider the countless new challenges I will face in this and future jobs. However, I am comforted by my firm confidence that there is nowhere else I would have rather begun my career than at LPCS. Thank you LPCS guests, volunteers, and staff for an unforgettable learning experience.

--Katie McNamara, Case Manager and former Volunteer Coordinator

A little bit of inspiration...

2011-08-18T12:48:00.000-05:00

Every day while working at the LPCS, I am reminded of the reasons I’m here. Beyond the desire to assist people as they improve their lives and end their homeless situation, the guests I work with constantly inspire me with they way they are making progress.

Like many guests, Dee has overcome some odds to improve herself. She recognizes the need to take the steps to get to where she wants to be, even though a leap or jump is preferable. We referred Dee to the CARA Program for job readiness and job training, where she has excelled in the classroom and in self discovery. At the CARA program, the class participates in daily inspiration, where someone will share about themselves with the group. One of these inspiring assignments was to write a letter to yourself. Here is what Dee wrote:

“Dear Dee,

Guess what girl, I just love you. You have really made me proud. You have [come] a long way. You have really shown me that if you put your mind on something that Dee wants to do, that she can accomplish it. When you said that you [were] going to quit using drugs, you succeeded, regardless of how you did it. No only that, you also stopped smoking cigarettes. Dee, where things went wrong and you thought there wasn’t hope, you stuck in there and you never gave up, even when you had to move from staying with your significant other because he left you after you had been in a 25 year relationship. I thought you were not going to make it, just coming out of recovery. After the death of mother and grandmother, you’re still keeping your feet on the right path. After staying with daughter did not work out, Dee, you know that you are a strong lady. Girl, you just don’t know how strong and determined you are....

Dee, I love you just for who you are. I even love you for making a change in your life. Staying at a shelter is a big step, but you have to start somewhere to get somewhere. All you have to do is to get out of your own way and do the right thing....

Dee, I am proud of you. Now you are at this program called CARA, and you have been staying motivated. You have been transformed all over again. Girl, you make me want to cry everyday because I see you doing something positive with your life.”

Dee's story serves as inspiration not only to herself, but to those around her. Keep up the good work, Dee. It will all pay off in the end!

--Brianne Spresser, Case Manager

Community Impact

2011-08-11T12:18:00.000-05:00

Working the morning Interim Housing shift often includes interacting with breakfast volunteers. On several occasions this summer, high school youth groups participating in short term mission trips cooked and served breakfast. The students are often timid and unsure of what to expect at a homeless shelter, but eventually realize that homeless adults aren’t so scary, and most are even willing to have a conversation similar to any other adults with whom they interact.

I was once one of those students, later an adult chaperon, away for a week with my church youth group, trying to see what impact I could make. These experiences are often eye opening and challenging. They also create lifetime memories and change one’s heart.

When someone asks what my “life changing event” was, or why I want to work at a homeless shelter, I think of one such trip to New York while I was in college. One of the ministries during the week was to cook food at the facility where we stayed, and bring it to Tompkins Park (of RENT fame) along with clothing to pass out. Hanging out with homeless people who slept in the park sure was intimidating, until I discovered that as humans, we are all able to connect and to learn from each other. Seeing the effects of systems of oppression in that park, I began to feel like this one week wasn’t enough for me. I began to feel as though focusing on social justice would be my life’s work.

Fast forward 10 years. I have been working at the Lincoln Park Community Shelter for almost a year now through Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC). LVC’s core values include Community, Simplicity/Sustainability, and Social Justice. My job placement with the LPCS is primarily the social justice function, by walking alongside and finding ways to empower individuals to make life changes.

I also see the other two core values of LVC reflected at work. This interim housing shelter is a community of adults working to better themselves and each other, existing within and being supported by the community in Lincoln Park. My experience living in an intentional community as part of LVC has allowed me a bit of understanding about community living within a shelter: it is challenging, and requires both patience and compromise. At the LPCS we encourage guests to learn about “Living Green,” while we also try to reduce environmental impacts (sustainability) and well as unnecessary spending (simplicity).

I’ve found that the little things make an impact. Maybe you have the time and resources to cook a hot breakfast and eat alongside the people for whom you cooked. Maybe you can share your skills through teaching a class. Perhaps you have some household goods that someone who finally has their own space could use in their new home. For some of us it’s a week long mission trip to serve, or a year long volunteer commitment; at the LPCS, our daily mission is serving and walking with fellow members of our community.

--Brianne Spresser, LVC, Case Manager

Meet an LPCS Graduate!

2011-08-04T12:16:00.000-05:00

We love to share to good news when someone graduates from LPCS. Here is the story of one individual who recently graduated:

Robert* entered the shelter only a few months ago. He had a long work history doing primarily maintenance type of work. He was very concerned about whether he would ever be able to become employed again because he had not worked for almost 2 years, was in his late-50’s, and had virtually no computer knowledge. Notwithstanding his initial reluctance, he attended a computer class and regularly saw a volunteer computer tutor who came to work with the guests at LPCS. As a result, he learned how to use email and apply for jobs online. Attending a job readiness program helped Robert put together a resume and gave him practice with mock job interviews. Last month he applied for a full-time maintenance position at a new supermarket. Even though there were over 300 initial applicants, he interviewed extremely well and got the job. LPCS provided CTA passes so he could get to and from work until he got paid. He has now moved into his own permanent residence and will be financially independent as a fully functioning member of society once again!

*Name has been changed to protect anonymity.

Ending Homelessness Nationally

2011-07-28T12:10:00.020-05:00

Earlier this month I attended the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) conference in Washington, D.C. While there, I learned that despite the fact that many service budgets have been cut at the federal and state levels, the American economy is not “out of the woods” in regard to homeless services across the country. Nan Roman, president of the NAEH, reported the impressive fact that homelessness has remained steady—that is, it has not risen—during the recession. This fact is partly a result that homelessness is a lagging indicator of society’s economic woes. For agencies providing homeless services, the recession may have yet to hit.

LPCS has begun to see this trend through an upswing in the number of people that are homeless for the first time (33%) and episodically (40%). In the past, higher education was thought to be a safety net against homelessness, but is no longer true. Last year more than 50% of our guests attended or graduated from college. Several guests over the past year reported that they were foreclosed upon or last experienced homelessness several years ago, and were unable to find living-wage work quickly after being laid off. Additionally, the cost of renting in Chicago continues to rise. One out of four guests who moved in to LPCS in the last year had an income; however, they were unable to afford housing.

Despite the reality check from the NEAH conference that our work is far from extinction, we realized that LPCS is on the cutting edge of programming in many ways. First, we work with agencies throughout the Chicago area to follow a “housing first” approach. Guests begin to work with case managers to identify and sign up for housing opportunities from the day they move in—and often before. Community clients who join our waiting list meet with a case manager and are encouraged to begin working on goals right away.

As a part of the Interim Housing Community, our case managers are working intensively with guests through an increasing average length of stay; although this results in fewer guests moving through our programs overall, it means that the work with those guests is deeper and successes are more likely to have a lasting impact. This longer stay and more intensive work with case managers is making an impact: over 70% of On Track Program participants found permanent housing. After one year, at least 66% of graduates remain housed.

Finally, we know that a contributing factor to this housing retention is a continued connection to LPCS. Approximately 2/3 of graduates continue to remain involved at LPCS, touching base with staff members on the trials and tribulations of their lives and participating in case management and referrals when needed. We have long believed in the power of community, and our Graduate Community is a demonstration of that. Many become involved as volunteers, and others join our new Graduate Council, offering feedback to program staff on new programming, planning events for current guests, and speaking to community groups about their experiences with homelessness and LPCS.

LPCS is looking forward to another year of community and collaboration with our neighbors, our volunteers, our supporters, our guests, and our graduates. Stay tuned for updates on ways you can be involved in our newest ventures via our e-newsletter and our print newsletter, Transitions. To sign up to receive either of these, please visit the News section of our website.

--Betsy Carlson, Program Director

Educating Our Aldermen

2011-07-20T12:29:00.001-05:00

As a community-based agency serving people who have often been disenfranchised, LPCS takes its role as an advocate seriously. We are members of Lakeview Action Coalition, and as such LPCS staff members, guests, and graduates stay involved in systems issues such as affordable housing, access to health care, and livable wage employment.

On Thursday, July 7, I had the privilege of co-moderating the first-ever People’s City Council meeting, organized by LAC and nearly 20 other community groups across the city. The Meeting was a chance to educate our actual City Council (where many members are new) on issues that directly affect our guests.

20 of 50 Alderman attended the meeting, where the “People’s City Council” engaged in a debate about fair jobs, affordable housing, education, and public safety. Over 1,500 people consistently “voted” in favor of creating new revenue streams that will enhance services, establishing accountability for large corporations and banks, and otherwise prioritizing strengthening communities through investing in working class families.

It was an excited and energetic crowd! LPCS guests reported feeling very powerful in influencing our elected officials to act on their behalf. All 20 Alderman signed on in support of our “resolution,” and another 10 have expressed their support since the meeting. Taking part in collective action is just one way that LPCS guests are able to regain control of their lives, re-connect with support systems, and achieve their goals.

For more info about the People’s City Council meeting, check out these links:

http://www.thegatenewspaper.com/2011/07/people%E2%80%99s-city-council-drafts-new-resolution/

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/07/08/activists-take-stand-at-peoples-city-council-meeting/#.ThdUcT1UZuc.facebook

http://www.progressillinois.com/quick-hits/content/2011/07/13/peoples-city-council-get-aldermen-board-meeting-and-beyond

--Erin Ryan, LPCS Executive Director

6th Graders Support Hawthorne while Helping Others

2011-06-23T11:10:00.004-05:00

We received an email shortly after a group of Hawthorne students made dinner at LPCS. The following is an article that appeared in their school newspaper. We thought it was so nice we wanted to share it with you! Happy reading!

On Sunday, May 22, the participants of the 6th Grade Help Hawthorne, Help Others Signature Event volunteered at The Lincoln Park Community Shelter (LPCS) to cook a savory meal of turkey chili, cornbread and coleslaw for its residents. LPCS is a social service agency that has been in existence for 25 years and serves adult men and women who are experiencing homelessness.

The 6th graders enjoyed working together to prepare a delicious dinner that served 40 residents. Together they diligently chopped vegetables, mixed batter and stirred the chili pot to create a memorable dining experience. After 90 minutes of preparation, the Hawthorne students and the residents of LPCS sat down together to share a meal and talk about common interests, although baseball seemed to be the main subject. The kids and residents truly enjoyed each others company, and the 6th graders learned a valuable lesson about giving back and gained a new perspective on homelessness. At the end of the evening, the children received a standing ovation for a job well done, and many residents asked them to return for another visit. The experience was very rewarding and uplifting for everyone.

The Lincoln Park Community Shelter relies on the support of volunteers throughout the community. To learn more about the shelter and how you may become involved, please visit lpcsonline.org.

Volunteering and Service

2011-06-09T10:21:00.024-05:00

This past week, I was able to attend the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in New Orleans. More than 4600 people attended the conference from all over the country, and all walks of life. It was wonderful to see so many people come out in support of volunteers and the work that they do. Both the mayor of New Orleans and the Governor of Mississippi expressed their heartfelt thanks for all of the work volunteers did to repair the region post-Katrina. Hearing stories of how volunteers have come together in their communities during times of need reminded me how lucky we here at LPCS are to continue to be supported by such an amazing community. So a big thank you to all of our volunteers and supporters!

The best part of the conference, learning that the Windy City is the host site for next year's conference! Congrats on the honor Chicago!

--Heather Pressman, Community Relations Manager

It's Awards Season for LPCS!

2011-05-26T12:02:00.026-05:00

Staff and Board members accepting the Emergency Fund Award

It's raining awards at LPCS! This spring, the Lincoln Park Community Shelter has been honored with not one, but two awards! On May 3rd we were honored with the Emergency Fund Award, which is bestowed to an organization that improves the lives of people in the community we serve. A few weeks later on May 18th at the annual symposium hosted by North Park University's Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management, the Lincoln Park Community Shelter was honored with the prestigious Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence! This is a competitive field each year, with previous winners such as The Night Ministry, The Cara Program, and Deborah's Place. The Axelson Award winner was announced at a luncheon honoring the efforts of all of the finalists. The award was announced via video. Check it out!

A New Kind of Art Project

2011-05-12T12:10:00.047-05:00

Over the month of April, guests of the LPCS and students from the School of the Art Institute worked together to create a collaborative art project. At the start of the project, no one knew what they were going to create. The group met once a week for 5 weeks, talking about different ideas and concepts they could work on. Three different ideas were presented to the guests of the LPCS (not just those in the class), and in the end the group decided the project of choice was to create a new mural for the LPCS dining room. The next step in the process was to come up with a couple of different design concepts to choose from. Again, all guests of the LPCS were asked to vote on which concept they liked the best. "The Sky's the Limit" was the winner! But this wasn't going to be any ol' mural--it was going to be an interactive mural! Using a layer of special paint, the group created a magnetic background. Guests and students then created individual magnetic pieces that can be moved and changed by whoever walks by.

The guests loved working on the project. Haley, one of the SAIC students, had this to say: " I am so glad that I was able to have the opportunity to work with my classmates and [the guests of LPCS] to carry out our mural project....It was exciting to see to hear everyone’s ideas each week, and watch them unfold as the mural became realized....I hope that the space remains as dynamic as it was in the beginning, and that people will continue to engage with it and feel the same sense of empowerment as we did."

Thanks to everyone who participated in the project--what a great collaboration!

Next time you are at LPCS, be sure to stop by and check out the mural, and if you feel inspired, have fun with it!

The Sky's the Limit completed mural

More photos can be viewed here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150183308596968.306292.12785941967&l=737c6c5719

Metamorphosis Party a Success!

2011-05-05T11:05:00.003-05:00

Thanks to all of the wonderful supporters who came out on Friday night to this year's Metamorphosis Party! More than 200 party-goers enjoyed festive food and delicious desserts by the Entertaining Company while bidding on great live and silent auction items. A few bidding wars broke out, but in the end everyone went home happy! DJ Shaka23 was on hand to spin a mix of songs that entertained the whole crowd. At the end of the night, more than $92,000 was raised to directly support the programs and guests of the Lincoln Park Community Shelter.

The goal of the night was not only to raise funds, but also to honor the work of longtime supporters of the organization with the Compassion in Action award. This year's honorees were the leaders of the four founding congregations of LPCS: Pastor Jeffery Doane from Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, Reverend Tom Henry from St. Pauls UCC, Father Tom Hickey from St. Clement Church, and the Reverend Linda Packard from Church of Our Saviour. The Compassion in Action Award was established last year to recognize exceptional contributions to LPCS since its founding 26 years ago.

2011 Compassion in Action recipients with LPCS Executive Director.
From left, Rev. Tom Henry, Rev. Linda Packard, Erin Ryan, Pastor Jeff Doane, and Fr. Tom Hickey

Save the Date for the Next Great Party!

2011-04-28T11:10:00.003-05:00

Mark your calenders now for this year's Taste of Fall tasting event! We already have commitments from several of the vendors who were there last year including Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Wine & Bread and Cabot Creamery Cooperative. This year's event promises to be even bigger and better than last year! Stay tuned to this blog and the LPCS website for more details and to purchase tickets.

Thank you volunteers!

2011-04-14T10:21:00.001-05:00

As a volunteer driven organization, we depend so much on the dedication and passion of the many individuals and groups who so generously donate their time and talents to Lincoln Park Community Shelter. And though we appreciate their efforts every day, National Volunteer Week is a time that really allows us to reflect and be thankful for these priceless people who make the mission of empowering homeless men and women to make life changes an attainable goal. Our volunteers are fun. They make our job fun. They are passionate, and their passion translates into the effort they put forth.

So to the committee members, meal makers, tutors, track activity teachers and all the other men and women who have become a part of our community, we would like to take this opportunity to say thank you!

Experiencing a "Point in Time"

2011-03-17T10:44:00.005-05:00

On a clear, chilly, January night, we piled into cars, armed with clipboards, flashlights, boxes of hats and gloves, and questions. Questions for homeless folks we would find on the street about demographics and their various needs.We drove around Chicago, peering out the car windows, searching for people to count and survey for the biannual “Point In Time” info gathering. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires all cities seeking federal funding for homeless programs to conduct a count of the homeless population. This will estimate needed allocations for homeless services. Though counterintuitive, we had an incentive to find as many currently homeless people as possible. We wanted to gather the most accurate number, so that homeless folks aren’t “short changed” when it comes to allocating funding for our city.

I was assigned to a portion of the Lincoln Park neighborhood, along with two other Point In Time volunteers. Dozens of volunteers gathered at headquarters around Chicago, and were dispatched all over the city, with the intent of surveying every square inch. My group and I weaved carefully through the pristine streets of Lincoln Park, filling our map with highlighter marks as we turned each corner. It felt ridiculous to be searching for homeless folks down streets lined with fancy cars perched in front of million dollar homes. I doubted that there would be much tolerance for people to be “loitering” on these streets, and I doubted that people who are homeless would feel comfortable on these streets anyway. Not surprisingly, we found one person; he was speedily wheeling a shopping cart down a busy street and preferred not to be surveyed.

Our count after 4 hours of searching: 1.

Demographic info collected and warm winter clothing distributed: 0.

This was not what any of us novice Point In Time volunteers expected when we signed up weeks earlier. I had envisioned being on a street such as Lower Wacker, having worthwhile conversations with maybe 25 homeless individuals, collecting valuable info, distributing needed supplies. You know, like how it would be in a movie.

As we are constantly reminded in social service work: there is always more to the story. Are there a number of individuals sleeping outside in Lincoln Park who we missed? When other Northside counting groups reported similarly low numbers, can we be sure that our tally is anywhere near accurate? What made the man we encountered on Clybourn wary of interacting with us? Can he be reached with services? Does he want services? A most interesting question: does he need services? Can it be deduced that folks staying outside on a below zero night in January (presumed to be a time when only the “truly” homeless are out), are challenged with a mental illness? Is enough being done to care for our homeless neighbors? Should we care?

As we drove back to headquarters at 2am, we surmised whether or not we had just done a service or a disservice to the currently and future homeless. This was the major take-away for me. There are people currently feeling snug and secure in their houses who will become homeless. Will Chicago be prepared to serve them?

--Katie McNamara, Case Management Intern

Fight Homelessness. Celebrate Hope.

2011-03-03T11:45:00.001-06:00

Help us end homelessness!

Save the date for the best party of the year! Last year's event raised almost $130,000 for LPCS programs. This year's event is shaping up to be even better than last year! Join us on Friday, April 29th at one of Chicago's most unique venues, Architectural Artifacts located on Ravenswood Ave. Enjoy fantastic food, signature cocktails, and delicious desserts while browsing and bidding on the live and silent auction. We've got some amazing auction items up for grabs including a house in Key West for a week, an instant wine cellar, a decadent garden party, autographed White Sox memorabilia, theater tickets, hotel stays, and more! Keep an eye on the website for updates!

For tickets and more information, visit: http://lpcsonline.org/events/metamorphosis

Community Comes Together to Celebrate LPCS Volunteers

2011-02-24T11:18:00.002-06:00

Staff and volunteers mingle before the show

Last night, LPCS staff, volunteers, guests, and Graduates came together to celebrate all of the work that volunteers do for LPCS. It was a fun-filled evening of food, conversation, and cabaret at the Greenhouse Theater! Attendees were treated to a performance of classic songs, Broadway tunes, and modern classics by James Edward Dauphin and Anita Kallen and were accompanied by Christie Chiles Twillie on piano. All three of the performers generously donated their time. Before the show, volunteers and guests mingled while munching on a variety of snacks. After the show, volunteers were treated to a table full of delicious desserts!

Every year, volunteers donate nearly 18,000 hours of service to LPCS. That is the equivalent of adding 8 1/2 full-time staff members to LPCS! Volunteers help teach life-skills classes, make and serve meals, work at the front desk, serve on a variety of committees, stay overnight, and serve in a variety of other positions. Without the continued support of LPCS volunteers, our programs wouldn't be nearly as successful as they are. All of the hard work that volunteers put in translates directly to our guests. Thank you LPCS volunteers for all of your time, energy, and dedication!

A huge thank you to Popcorn Palace, Potbelly Sandwich Co., Starbucks Coffee, and Swirlz Cupcakes for generously donating food and drink for the event. Thank you too to the Greenhouse Theater for donating the space. And of course, a huge thank you as well to the performers without whom we couldn't have had a show! Last, but certainly not least, thanks to the Volunteer Committee who helped organize the whole night. Thank you everyone!

Learning through Teaching

2011-02-10T12:55:00.009-06:00

Imaginarium, 2010

I first heard about LPCS when I was a student at School of the Art Institute in Spring 2010. Our class worked with some of the guests for several weeks on a Community Art Project entitled Imaginarium, which we then displayed in a one-night show. We worked together, on separate panels that were finally interlocked to make a free-standing sculpture. Each piece was different, and couldn’t stand up on its own, but together they made a wonderful thing, much like each one of us in our community. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, but found the guests to be so friendly, eager to learn and try new things, expressing themselves through different visual media, I felt privileged to be a part of it. The staff and guests are so welcoming, some of my classmates and I didn’t want our "Art Class Wednesdays" to end, so we continued them weekly throughout the summer.

Now I teach it one day a month, and it is one of the most gratifying things I have ever done: for example, when a guest who claims “oh, but I’m not an artist,” jumps in anyway and tries, and ends up creating something beautiful and unique, the smile on their face is priceless. Even though it takes a bit of planning to balance time for my own homework and hunt for art supplies, I love the friendly creative energy at LPCS so much, working with the guests in these art classes is absolutely worth it. I am honored to have been invited back to participate with the LPCS guests and students in this year’s SAIC Community Art Practices class, and look forward to the new amazing work we will create. We look forward to meeting you at our truly unique show in May, so mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 4th!

--Leona, SAIC student and LPCS volunteer

Our Community, part 2

2011-02-03T11:28:00.022-06:00

On Wednesday, as I sat warm and dry inside my apartment, marveling at the change in the weather (what a difference a day makes, eh?), I saw something wonderful happen. About 10 people in the building across the street from me, gathered together, snow shovels in hand, and worked as a community to clear their parking lot (complete with a six-foot snow drift in the middle). It was wonderful to see so many people come together as a community to accomplish such a feat. Wonderfully, the same thing was happening right here in Lincoln Park! One the neighbors who lives just down the street from LPCS gathered up shovels from other neighbors, gathered some guests up, and a shovelin' they went! According to one neighbor, "it was a great day and we had fun. We also did a great thing for the neighborhood!" Thanks to everyone for helping make Lincoln Park easier and safer to get around!

Our Community

2011-01-27T12:07:00.002-06:00

From Left to Right: Jeff Lawler, Elizabeth Rossdeutscher,
Colette Rodon Hornof, Gil Matar, and Deanne Liaros

A few weeks ago, several members of the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce came to LPCS to make breakfast. Volunteers arrived around 6:30am to begin cooking. Scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes, oatmeal, fruit salad, and toast were on the menu. Once the food was cooked and set out, everyone helped themselves to the "incredible breakfast," including the volunteers. One volunteer commented, "What a terrific experience! Everything came together perfectly, and it was nice to have some time with the guests."

The group came together with the idea that they would come to make a hot breakfast for LPCS guests, once every three or four months. By the end of the morning, they had decided to do it every month!

Without such a supportive community, LPCS wouldn't be as successful as it is today! Breakfast is one of the opportunities that we are always looking for volunteers to help with. If you are interested in getting a group together, contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Julia, to get on the calendar. You can reach Julia at 773-549-6111 or lpcsinfo@lpcsonline.org.

"I will never forget my visit..."

2011-01-20T13:03:00.001-06:00

A few months ago, some students from Columbia College visited the Lincoln Park Community Shelter. We recently received a donation from the students, along with letters about their experience. Below is one example of the letters we received.

Dear LPCS guest,

My name is Jessica D., and I am one of the students from Columbia College who visited LPCS about a month ago. I interviewed two residents, and their stories changed my entire outlook on life. I will never forget my visit to LPCS and I am much more aware of the social issues involved with homelessness now. I am more aware and empathetic citizen, thanks to the two people I talked to. You and all the other residents of LPCS are in my thoughts and prayers daily, and I wish you the best for the future. I hope you enjoy the holidays and keep feeling inspired, because I feel inspired myself after visiting LPCS.

Sincerely,

Jessica D.

Rogue Show

2011-01-13T12:20:00.001-06:00

Image featured in the last LPCS/CPC photo show

Don't miss tomorrow night's opening reception of the "Rogue Show" at the Chicago Photography Center! Join us at 7pm as we celebrate the photographic creativity and talent of LPCS guests and Graduates. Each month, volunteers at the Chicago Photography Center volunteer their time teaching skills and techniques to community groups, including the Lincoln Park Community Shelter. This is the second time the work of LPCS guests and graduates has been featured in a show at the Chicago Photography Center. The "Rogue Show" will run from January 14-February 5th.

The Chicago Photography Center is located at 3301 N. Lincoln Ave. For more information on the CPC, please visit their website at: http://www.chicagophoto.org/.

Can you imagine?

2010-12-16T08:25:00.002-06:00

I just spent a good amount of time talking with a client who sleeps on the streets. In this weather. Can you imagine?

Of course, the obstacles that homeless people face are forefront in my mind all year, but even I pause when the weather gets to be this brutally cold, wondering how in the world people survive?

Of course, many don’t. Each year, on Dec. 21 (the longest night of the year), we remember those who have passed away as part of Homeless Memorial Day. Already, news stories have reported several deaths since this unforgiving cold snap.

Our client has been sleeping on the streets for 25 years. He spends most of his time at the library, learning languages (he is currently learning German), is an expert chess player, and has a beautiful singing voice. He sometimes makes money at chess or in karaoke contests. He spends entire days looking for a safe place to hide his personal belongings, including his precious blankets that mean the difference between life and death on the streets. In the time I’ve known him, over the past 8 years or so, he has been attacked and robbed several times.

He is a brilliant man, and also profoundly paranoid. He found LPCS by accident years ago, and for whatever indefinable reason, felt safe here. Despite his undiagnosed and untreated mental illness, he feels a connection with our staff, and continues to visit us regularly, although has never registered to become an overnight guest. He comes for basic services, to pick up his mail, and calls when he can’t make it in person. Although he is largely isolated from the outside world, preferring to stay invisible, he keeps his connection to LPCS.

As he was explaining to me the benefits of various building materials, cardboards, etc. with which to construct a makeshift shelter, and his tips for staying warm by sleeping in port-a-johns, I am both saddened and hopeful. Because lately, he has been talking about coming inside for the night, and applying to housing programs. He is getting tired, and I am waiting. I know we can’t push him to come inside, but when he’s ready, LPCS will be there.

--Erin Ryan, Executive Director

What a year it's going to be!

2010-12-09T15:44:00.001-06:00

There I was, covered in flour, red and green food coloring staining the tips of my fingers, as I kneaded a mound of salt dough in the kitchen of Lincoln Park Community Shelter. An informal assembly line of guests filled the space around me, armed with rolling pins and cookie cutters as we laughed and crooned, rather off-key, along with the Rat Pack playing on the stereo. Our mission: to make fifty ornaments for Sunday’s Holiday Sing-A-Long at St. Paul’s Church.
This was not quite the scenario I’d imagined when I took over the Volunteer Coordinator position here at LPCS. I am, however, quickly coming to realize that these are exactly the kinds of moments that are going to make the next year one of the best I’ve ever had!

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have welcomed me into the LPCS community. The few short weeks since I began have flown by faster than I could have imagined! It’s been a whirlwind of information and faces and wonderful stories and the sense that I’ve become part of a pretty incredible group of people--from the volunteers, to staff and, most of all, the guests of LPCS--grows stronger every day!

--Julia Weegar, LPCS Volunteer Coordinator and AmeriCorps*VISTA

A Year of Celebration

2010-12-02T09:50:00.001-06:00

Wow! It's hard to believe that Sunday's "Home for the Holidays" Sing-A-Long is the last of many events celebrating 25 years of the Lincoln Park Community Shelter. It has been a wonderful year of celebrations in honor of all of the people who have made LPCS what it is today. Without the support of the community we wouldn't be able to do half of what we do, so thank you for everything you have done for us over the last 25 years! We hope to see you at our final celebration this Sunday, December 5th at 2pm at St. Pauls United Church of Christ to join us in carols, cookies, cider, and fun!

What we are grateful for...

2010-11-25T10:03:00.001-06:00

Around this time of year, many people start thinking about the things they are grateful for, including LPCS guests and graduates. When asked what they were thankful or grateful for, here is what a few of them had to say:

"I'm grateful for the guidance and understanding you have given me so that I could move on, and start a new life journey."

“I feel very grateful to be here. I’m getting my needs met and feel safe. I know that I will get back on my feet as long as I work this program”.

"Grateful and appreciative too see the wonderful volunteers who cook and serve meals."

"I am doing very well, thanks to your dedicated program and my commitment. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to better myself grow of a positive attitude toward life."

The staff at LPCS is grateful for the wonderful community we are lucky enough to be based in. Thank you for your continued support!

Anonymous donor challenges LPCS to raise $10,000!

2010-11-11T11:43:00.002-06:00

November 2010

Dear Neighbor,

This year, the Lincoln Park Community Shelter is celebrating 25 years of service to our community. Our core values remain the same: community engagement, providing a safe refuge for those in crisis, and respect and dignity for our guests. However, our approach to the problem of homelessness has changed much over this quarter-century. Today, our innovative On Track Program—which provides training, coaching, and support—combined with our well-trained staff and extensive community of dedicated volunteers ensures our guests get the help they need to reach their goals.

Our guests achieve extraordinary success: Last year, nearly 70% of those engaged in the On Track Program became housed again. Over the past 10 years, over 650 men and women have moved out of the shelter and into permanent housing.

A recent event brought home to me what this organization has accomplished in these 25 years. Last year I attended a memorial service for a man named Jim, along with several long-time volunteers and his family. In the mid-1980s, Jim was a constant presence in Lincoln Park, often sitting on a bench near Clark and Deming. He could not be missed: he wore a greatcoat and a long grey beard, had a weather-beaten face and a decidedly remote and unfriendly demeanor.

Community residents reached out to Jim and appealed to neighborhood churches to try to help him and others living on the streets. When the Lincoln Park Community Shelter opened in February 1985, Jim became one of our first guests, and on some nights in those early days, our only guest.

Jim had little to do with the other guests of this new endeavor. He rarely spoke and seemed wary of the assistance we were providing, but was always cordial. Over time, our volunteers had conversations with Jim, learned about a few of his interests, and provided him with some assistance. But the LPCS of 1985 did not have the resources to understand or meet all of his needs, and eventually, he stopped coming to us.

Jim passed away in 1988, and at the recent gathering in his memory, we finally gained some insight into his past. Jim had grown up in Cincinnati in a close-knit family, so close to his sister that when the Boy Scouts wouldn’t accept her, he refused to join. He’d gone to college and become a transit engineer, eventually helping Chicago’s CTA implement its first comprehensive computer system.

His former colleagues at the CTA described him as a brilliant and visionary man, fiercely loyal to friends and possessed of a sense of humor, but at times remote. Undiagnosed and untreated mental illness escalated, and ultimately caused him to be unable to hold his job, and to separate from even his closest friends and family.

The staff and volunteers of the Lincoln Park Community Shelter have learned so much from our experience with Jim. He reminds us that each guest has a unique story and set of circumstances, and unique needs. Our programs are highly individualized, and respectful of the prior accomplishments and future potential of each guest. And, we have developed the expertise to help those whose lives have spiraled out of control because of an undiagnosed illness.

We also better understand the value volunteers bring to our efforts, especially the ways in which they touch the lives of our guests. The volunteers who made Jim feel at home during his time at LPCS have said they are much richer for having known him. To this day, we hear from guests that the interaction with volunteers plays a central role in their ability to succeed.

It is not easy to sum up 25 years. In this time, we’ve developed programs that motivate and empower guests to make lasting life changes, focused our efforts on returning people to housing, and built a dedicated staff and new facility, while remaining deeply connected to the community around us. We can say with confidence that we are helping the Jims of 2010.

Because the LPCS has always been completely privately supported, we need your help to continue this success. As we celebrate this 25^th Anniversary, please make a gift today to help our programs – and guests – continue to grow and change. This year, we have been challenged by an anonymous donor to raise money from new donors, and we need your help to meet this goal! Every dollar you give will be matched, up to $10,000! Use the enclosed envelope, or give online at www.LPCSonline.org.

As you consider your donation, remember Jim’s story for what it says about who we are, how we’ve grown over the years, and what we can continue to do with your support.

With gratitude,

Bob Burson, Founding Member

A Taste of Fall A Success!

2010-10-28T12:51:00.037-05:00

A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make this year's A Taste of Fall a success! Party-goers enjoyed the acoustic sounds of the Tony Bondi Project while they sipped on wine, beer, pepper-infused tequila, and the favorite of the night, "Rumchata". In addition to an interesting mix of drinks, delicious food abounded! Everything from artisan cheese to chocolate fondue to cupcakes and strudel were enjoyed by guests that night. Some pretty intense bidding wars happened over a number of our unbelievable silent auction items. Thanks to everyone you helped raise nearly $8,000 for LPCS programs!

Thank you to all of our in-kind and financial sponsors, without you this event wouldn't have happened!

Cornerstone Sponsor:

Prosperity Sponsor:

Drink:

Agave Loco Brands

Goose Island Brewery

Lynfred Winery

Templeton Rye

Food:

Austrian Bakery & Deli

Cabot Creamery Cooperative

Geja’s Café

Harvest Arts Catering

Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine

Swirlz

Wells St. Popcorn

Music:

The Tony Bondi Project

Printing:

International Label & Printing Co., Inc.

Décor:

Daniel Stober

World Homeless Day 2010

2010-10-14T12:04:00.003-05:00

The first ever World Homeless Day was held on October 10, 2010. World Homeless Day was organized to draw attention to homelessness locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness, while taking advantage of the stage an ‘international day’ provides. Events were held around the world from Toledo and Calgary to London and Bangladesh, and everywhere in between. Hopefully this day will continue to grow and bring even more attention to the issue of homelessness.

If you did anything to "celebrate" World Homeless Day we would love to know about it!

For more information on next year's event, join their Facebook group and keep checking the official website: http://www.worldhomelessday.org/

Taste the Night Away

2010-10-07T13:26:00.000-05:00

A Taste of Fall 2010 is just two weeks away! Hopefully you will be joining us on October 22nd from 7-11pm as we taste our way through fall. I know personally, I'll be heading straight to the table hosting Geja's Cafe, for a sample of their to die for cheese fondue. Then, who knows, maybe I'll be adventurous and try the pepper cured tequila provided by Agave Loco. After that, who knows! With cupcakes, cheese, pastries, pretzels, wine, and more to choose from, it could be a hard decision what to sample next!

Don't forget to check out the silent auction while you are there either! We have some great items up for grabs including a hockey stick signed by over 20 past and present members of the Blackhawks, a weekend getaway to Michigan City, tickets to see the Bears vs. Jets on December 26th, a party for 20 at Kincade's, and more!!

We'll also be raffling off the "Mad Men Starter Kit" which includes a fantastic retro bar cart from Richard Schultz Designs, accessories and liquor to create the perfect martini, Mad Men season one on DVD, and more! Over a $3,500 value!!

Tickets prices are $65 for regular ticket and $85 for a VIP ticket. VIP tickets include a Chef's table experience with CAREY NICHOLS from HARVEST ARTS CATERING, extra special goody bag, and free raffle ticket. Only 90 VIP tickets will be sold!

Tickets are going fast, so get yours soon! For more tickets and more information, visit: http://lpcsonline.org/taste-of-fall

Great Tour!

2010-09-30T11:26:00.029-05:00

Last weekend, I had the fun of going on the "Walks of Faith, Lives of Service" living history tour. I'm a history buff and LPCS supporter, so I was very excited about this tour. Despite the fact that it was a pretty chilly day, we managed to stay warm and have a great time! Along the way we learned about the early history of social justice in Lincoln Park, from its early founding in Vincentian values, and the tradition of it that continues to this day. We ran into a few surprise guests along the way, including Mrs. Carl Uhlich, a member of St. Pauls UCC who told us about when President Lincoln was nominated, and the founding of the Uhlich orphanage. The tour ended at the Lincoln Park Community Shelter with a tour of the recently renovated facility. A great time was had by all!

Don't worry, if you weren't able to join us the 25th, there is another set of tours on October 16th. Tours will begin at 10am and 10:30am. Tours are free! For more information about the tours, go here: http://lpcsonline.org/events/history-tour To RSVP, send an email to tours@lpcsonline.org. An RSVP is required 3 days prior. Have fun!!

Walks of Faith, Lives of Service

2010-09-16T11:17:00.000-05:00

Join LPCS next Saturday, September 25th for a unique glimpse at the history of social justice in Lincoln Park. This walking tour will commemorate two anniversaries--the 350th anniversary of the deaths of St. Vincent DePaul and St. Louise De Marillac (and their legacies in this neighborhood), and the 25th Anniversary of the Lincoln Park Community Shelter--and focus on the intersection of faith and social justice in Lincoln Park. As such, the tour will begin at DePaul, and will end at with a reception at the Shelter.

Tour Dates:
Saturday, September 25th: tours begin at 1 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2 PM;* reception at Lincoln Park Community Shelter to follow.

Saturday, October 16th: tours begin at 10 AM and 10:30AM.*

Journey back in time to meet costumed characters whose stories will inspire tour-goers to contemplate the intersections of faith, service, and social justice in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The tours commemorate two anniversaries--the 350th anniversary of the deaths of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac (whose lives were dedicated to serving those most in need), and the 25th Anniversary of the Lincoln Park Community Shelter (founded by members of four neighborhood churches). A reception at the Lincoln Park Community Shelter will follow tours on September 25th.

Space is limited! Please RSVP to: tours@lpcsonline.org.
*Exact time of your tour will be scheduled when you RSVP. Because space is limited, a RSVP is required three days prior to the event.

Tours last approximately two hours and begin in the courtyard outside of Richardson Library at DePaul University, 2320 N. Kenmore, in St. Vincent's Circle.

There is no cost for this program, but donations to the LPCS are gladly accepted.
This free program was funded by a grant from the Vincentian Endowment Fund of DePaul University.

Unexpected connection

2010-09-09T10:52:00.002-05:00

I've had the pleasure of tutoring one of the LPCS guests in english each week; her first language is french. What I thought was just going to be an hour long tutor session became a meeting with a friend that I look forward to each week. Over the last few months, she's come a long way and her english is improving quickly as she uses it more and more. Since she works at the airport, sometimes we discuss questions she has about cultural differences she observes there or casual phrases that are difficult for a new speaker to understand. The cool thing about tutoring someone in english is that we can pretty much talk about anything and she's still practicing. We go over documents she needs to fill out, talk about her family in Cameroon and mine in the burbs of Chicago, as well as the volunteer opportunities she's had at the Alliance Francaise de Chicago. We take walks, laugh and share about some of the challenges we've faced in the past week. I'm grateful for our friendship and look forward to seeing her succeed.

--Shannon, LPCS volunteer

Some of my top 10 moments at LPCS...

2010-09-02T11:55:00.000-05:00

As our 25th year celebrations wind down, we asked several staff, volunteers, and board members to share their top 10 memories--good and bad--of LPCS. Here is what current LPCS Board Member Peg Wander had to say...

1 /2) The hiring of the first Executive Director was a major milestone in our history because it represented, for me, the shift from being an emergency shelter to being more of a social service agency. Our first director, Barb Beckman, brought a social work background that played a major role in establishing what is now known as the track program and getting us truly to the point where people could really make "life changes." Prior to this, we were really just providing a place for people to sleep and get a good meal; noble and needed, but sometimes, as the Board recognized in the mid-90s, actually “facilitating" a lifestyle because it was a safe place to be with no real expectations to make changes to leave homelessness

3) The Board and staff's "vision" for our own facility was around for a very long time. We explored buying a building in LP and did a financial feasibility study and learned we needed to do more work; we were moving rather slowly in my humble opinion. Then, the offer to partner with LPPC pushed the vision forward, albeit with some trepidation. In the end, however, the support we received still amazes me; the "asks" were really pretty easy because generally by the time we came to someone they had already made a decision based on their experiences and own commitment to LPCS; don't think anyone really turned out down flat that we actually had a meeting with-I think that's probably a pretty good track record in the fundraising world. And, again in my humble opinion, the 24 hour facility has made a major positive difference in how the program operates and the ongoing support we receive. There is a "buzz" in the place every time I'm there. And, the fact that we have money in reserves is in part a testament to this whole endeavor.

4) The ecumenical service was when I knew we had "won" the zoning situation, though it wouldn't officially come for several months. But, to see St. Clement full of supporters and hear volunteers give testamonials was truly inspiring. Though we are not a faith based organization, it is from a faith perspective that many of our volunteers/supporters come and that was clearly in evidence that night.

--Peg Wander, long-time LPCS volunteer and Board Member

Save the Date to Taste the Night Away...

2010-08-26T12:03:00.000-05:00

Join LPCS at A Taste of Fall on Friday, October 22 from 7-11pm for a delectable evening, and taste your way through Fall! Enjoy the best food and drink the season has to offer from local businesses. Enjoy the acoustic sounds of the Tony Bondi Project while taking in the unique atmosphere of Gallery 1028. Bid on unique silent auction items, and enter for your chance to win a fabulous raffle prize!

Go to www.LPCSonline.org for more information and to register. A portion of your ticket is tax deductible. All proceeds benefit the Lincoln Park Community Shelter.

This is shelter life!

2010-08-19T12:48:00.000-05:00

In today's changed and changing economy I meet people everyday who are looking for employment or working in a field that has nothing to do with their formal education, but everything to do with their passion for life. In America, a lot of people are in the same boat. Some seemingly are more blessed or have a less rocky adventure to live. When things happens in such a big nation as ours, and an individual has no real family at hand, or does not want to impose, the individual can, for the first time in their life, end up living in a shelter. I knew of a sweet, elderly woman who had been swindled. The swindler began a domino effect of debt. This lady today is in a shelter in America. I know of a man who was hit by an uninsured car. The system treated his immediate and visible physical wounds and then left him to recover. The man had retrograde amnesia. This man today is in a shelter in America. In this large country of ours, the outcome of the rocks on our road of life seem to be linked to the location of where we stumble.

I am one such person that stumbled on a rock thrown on my road. The rock caused a detour which has been bittersweet. I have learned from the bitter, but focus on the sweet. Thus the detour has led me to the beauty of my former stomping grounds of Lincoln Park. In Lincoln Park you'll find the diversity of DePaul, a worldclass park, zoo, conservatory, quaint cafes, boutiques and charming shops. And, if you walk down one treelined street with grand greystones you just might see me or my mates climbing down the stairs to the church basement where I currently live. This scene goes on all across America. For me, I have been blessed with a great location. And from this location have come great volunteers. This is shelter life!

--Alicia, LPCS Guest

Top 10 LPCS Moments

2010-08-12T12:26:00.004-05:00

As our 25th year celebrations wind down, we asked several staff, volunteers, and board members to share their top 10 memories--good and bad--of LPCS. Here is what current Executive Director Erin Ryan had to say...

Last September, I celebrated a decade at LPCS with a surprise party full of friends, co-workers past and present, and the LPCS Board. This started me reflecting on all I’ve learned and experienced in these 10 years. Boiled down, here are my Top 10 LPCS Moments:

1. I remember my interview at LPCS in August 1999 for a volunteer coordinator position. It was my first job out of college, and I had just moved to Chicago. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into! When I asked why the position had been open for over a year, I was told, “This is a special place, and we need a special person to fill it.” When I was offered the position and started at LPCS, it became immediately apparent that this IS a special place, and I felt honored to have been welcomed into the LPCS family and determined to make it proud.

2. One of the best parts of working at LPCS is being able to help someone move into their new apartment. One of the first people I helped move was LaVance. Over his 7 months at LPCS, we had established an easy rapport, and I learned a lot from him about recovery and how hard it is to start over in mid-life, reconciling years of disconnectedness from his family and addiction with this new leaf. As we loaded my car with his few possessions and drove to his new apartment – his first in over a decade – LaVance said, “I never thought that at the age of 50, my best friend would be a 23-year-old white woman.” I was so touched that he thought of me as a friend, and that he had learned as much from me as I had from him. This showed me that despite our differences, we all have something to offer each other, and LPCS had allowed that to happen. LaVance is still one of our greatest success stories, 9 years later!

3. After two years at LPCS, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in social work to improve my skills and prepare me for other roles at the organization. In school, I took an internship with another agency that served women in recovery. The first day of my internship was Sept. 11, 2001. I was introduced immediately to my first client: a woman who was skeptical, at best, about my ability to understand her situation or help her. As we sat, though, watching the TV in awe at the events unfolding, she said, “for the first time, I feel really connected to something bigger than myself.” Joyce taught me the power of community. Those who are on the margins of society are often disconnected from community, and those of us with it usually take it for granted. I have ALWAYS felt a part of something bigger than myself, and I realized that I could help bring that sense of community to the guests at LPCS, and that would be more powerful than anything.

4. Advances in technology - when I started, we had one computer and no email or website! We did all our volunteer scheduling via phone trees. Our main office was on the 2^nd floor of the church, and the case management office was in the basement. Every time our social worker Evan got a phone call, we had to walk the cordless phone down 5-something steps! Things are so much more efficient now!

5. Testifying during Zoning Board of Appeals hearings (to get a special use permit and start our renovation); I have never felt so nervous…the reputation and future of the organization was at stake. I felt very alone at the front of the room, being cross-examined about the need for LPCS programs and hoping desperately to make a case. But as I exited the city council chambers and saw over 400 people standing there in support of LPCS and our mission, my confidence was bolstered and I knew that we would win the permit.

6. Laughing with staff about strange donations: from wedding dress crinoline to gas masks, we’ve seen it all! We’re so appreciative of all the in-kind support we receive, but some things that are not very practical for use by homeless people slip by from time to time!

7. Waiting up at St. Pauls with Barb, Evan, or Amy for a notoriously late overnight volunteer. We didn’t need two people to stay, but some of our best conversations about the programs and guests happened in the St. Pauls kitchen at 10:30 pm!

8. Trying desperately to avoid earning the “marshmallow award” – given to staff when we are “soft” on enforcing the rules, then growing into the realization that being compassionate and responsive to an individual’s needs is not necessarily being “soft,” and that sometimes, being “soft” is the best approach.

9. Celebrating the open house of our newly renovated facility, then watching it flood two weeks later. In a torrential downpour, we had several inches of water all throughout the facility. However, we also had dozens of guests, staff, and personnel from Lincoln Park Presbyterian and St. Pauls down the street furiously mopping and vacuuming up water to save the floors and furniture. I’ve never seen so many people come together so quickly! One guest remarked, ”I didn’t know we were getting a swimming pool!”

10. Sitting vigil with Mike, a graduate of LPCS who was in hospice at Lincoln Park Hospital. Mike was estranged from his family, and his LPCS family was all he had at the end. Fellow staff members Betsy, Anna, and I took turns sleeping on the couch and sitting with him, and volunteers and even guests who didn’t know Mike joined the rotation to keep him company until he passed away.

There are plenty of sad/confounding moments as well over the years. But these are the 10 I’ll choose to remember because of their lessons and inspiration. Thank you to everyone who has made the last 10 years fly by as I’ve grown and learned so much about the world and my place in it!

--Erin Ryan, LPCS Executive Director

10-10-10 World Homeless Day - COUNTDOWN – WEEK 9

2010-08-10T13:28:00.000-05:00

We’re counting down, along with Portland Rescue Mission, 10 weeks to the launch of the first annual World Homeless Day on 10-10-10 (October 10, 2010). Thanks for sharing these great resources PRM! http://www.1010pdx.org/p/about.html

This week’s big idea: Learn About Homelessness

Statistics and stories shed light on the plight of homeless men, women and children. Use these online resources to expand awareness and inspire action.

ONLINE RESOURCES ABOUT HOMELESSNESS

Change.org – End Homelessness
http://homelessness.change.org/

Helpful blog covering issues of homelessness and related stories.
Alltop.com – Homelessness
http://homeless.alltop.com/

Compilation of 40 top blogs related to homelessness. Includes links to the five most recent posts on each blog.
InvisiblePeople.tv
http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/

Short candid video interviews with homeless people from all across America.
U.S. Conference of Mayors - Hunger and Homelessness Report
http://www.usmayors.org/pressreleases/uploads/USCMHungercompleteWEB2009.pdf

(PDF download) Annual report on hunger and homelessness in 27 U.S. cities including Portland, Oregon.
National Coalition for the Homeless
http://nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/index.html

Facts and statistics about homelessness in America.
National Alliance to End Homelessness
http://www.endhomelessness.org/

News, facts, statistics, interactive maps and more about homelessness.
Homelessness Resource Center
http://www.nrchmi.samhsa.gov

Compiled articles for researching homelessness.

10-10-10 World Homeless Day - COUNTDOWN – WEEK 10

2010-08-05T10:56:00.001-05:00

This blog is a repost of a blog from the Portland Rescue Mission. We thought the information was important enough to share. Keep up the good work PRM!

We’re counting down 10 weeks to the launch of the first annual World Homeless Day on 10-10-10 (October 10, 2010).

This week’s big idea: Challenge Your Thinking

What are your assumptions about homelessness? Like most issues, there’s far more to homelessness than the stereotype.

10 MYTHS ABOUT HOMELESSNESS

Most homeless people are middle-aged men.

For many, the word “homeless” conjures up images of scraggly men standing on street corners holding cardboard signs. The face of homelessness is changing. In fact, the fastest growing segments of the homeless population are women and families with children.
Homeless people need to “just get a job”.

Getting a job is a challenge for most people in these days, and incredibly difficult for a homeless person. Most lack clean clothes, showers, transportation, a permanent address and phone number. Others have a criminal past, learning disabilities and lack of education that holds them down. Even if they find work, their low income often cannot sustain them.
Homeless people are dangerous.

Homelessness is often associated with drugs, alcohol, violence and crime. So yes, life on the streets can be perilous for homeless men and women. But very few crimes are committed by homeless people against those of us who try to help them. At Portland Rescue Mission, the attitude we see most often from homeless men and women is gratitude.
Homeless people are lazy.Surviving on the street takes more work than we realize. Homeless men and women are often sleep-deprived, cold, wet, and sick. Their minds, hearts and bodies are exhausted. Though help is available, they may have no idea where to begin navigating the maze of social service agencies and bureaucracy. With no transportation and little money, they can spend all day getting to food and maybe an appointment before they need to search for a safe place to sleep. And they do this while lugging their precious few possessions along with them in a bag or backpack. It is not a life of ease.
People are homeless by choice.

No one starts life with a goal of becoming homeless. People lose jobs and then housing. Women run away to the street to escape domestic violence. Many people have experienced significant trauma and simply cannot cope with life. Others struggle with mental illness, depression or post-traumatic stress. Yes, poor choices can contribute to homelessness. But outside circumstances strongly influence those choices.
If homeless people wanted to, they could pull themselves out of it.

Once a man or woman loses a job or a home, getting those things back can feel nearly impossible. Imagine trying to get a job when you have no address to put on a resume, no phone number, no shower and no clean-pressed clothes. Often, things like legal issues, criminal history, mental illness, physical and emotional health hinder progress even more.
Providing food and shelter only enables people to remain homeless.

Food and shelter are essentials for life. By offering these and other outreach services, like restrooms and mail service, we build relationships with people in need. Then we’re able to offer them something more through our recovery programs, like counseling, addiction recovery, emotional healing, spiritual guidance, education, life skills and job training.
If we provide sufficient affordable housing, homelessness will end.

Putting a roof over the head of a deeply hurting person will not heal emotional wounds, break addiction, create relational stability or establish healthy life skills. Housing can help people who are homeless due to poverty. But it can be a shallow and temporary solution for the many people who are homeless because they are unable to function in a “normal” life.
Homelessness will never happen to me.

Talk to the hundreds of homeless men and women we serve each day and they’ll tell you that they never intended or expected to become homeless. They’ve had solid jobs, houses and families. But at some point, life fell apart. They are desperate for a way back home.
Homelessness will never end.

Many U.S. cities have established ambitious goals with 10-year plans to end homelessness. While these plans to provide housing and better centralized services to homeless people are important in reducing the scope and duration of homelessness, they will not completely eliminate it everywhere for all time. But homelessness does end—one life at a time. With your help, we continue to restore the lives of hurting men, women and children every day.

To continue the countdown, check out the blog here: http://www.1010pdx.org/2010/08/countdown-week-10.html

LPCS Open House a Tasty Success!

2010-07-30T09:41:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday, July 24th, LPCS held an Open House Ice Cream Social to celebrate 25 years in the neighborhood. Volunteers, community members, and passersby enjoyed ice cream sundaes with sprinkles and cherries on top, creative facepainting, and relaxing chair massages, courtesy of Lincoln Park Massage Spa. In addition to the tasty and relaxing fun, visitors to the Open House had the opportunity to take a tour of LPCS' recently rennovated facility and learn more about the history of our time in Lincoln Park.

LPCS would like to offer a huge thank you to the event committee: Rebecca Devlin, Trina Portillo, Nada Riley, and Lucy Shair. We would also like to extend a huge thank you to Lincoln Park Massage Spa (www.lincolnparkmassage.com) for donating their Hired Hands On-site Massage therapist. And lastly, we would like to thank the volunteers who helped give tours, scoop ice cream, and paint faces! Thanks to everyone for making the Open House a fun and successful event!

For information on other anniversary events, please visit: http://lpcsonline.org/events

Happy Retirement Rev. Henry!

2010-07-22T11:29:00.002-05:00

On behalf of the entire Lincoln Park Community Shelter - every volunteer, board member, staff member, and guest over the past 25 years, we wish Rev. Tom Henry much happiness in his retirement.

Rev. Henry has served at St. Pauls United Church of Christ in Lincoln Park for the past 36 years, 28 of them as senior pastor. He and his wife, Colleen, have shown amazing support for our every endeavor; from the formation of the shelter in 1984, through every growing pain and triumph, his leadership and the support of the entire St. Pauls community has been inspiring. St. Pauls members contribute by volunteering, donating, and serving on our Board of Directors, supporting every aspect of LPCS’ mission and vision. For the first 22 years of the shelter’s history, St. Pauls was a primary site for the evening dinner and overnight accommodations for guests. Our Saturday morning Community Engagement Program and One on One Program continue to take place there; both programs are integral parts of our effort to serve homeless men and women throughout their journey – from the streets to a permanent home. Every one of the hundreds of men and women who have put homelessness behind them for good has the Henrys to thank.

On Sunday, June 27, 2010, Rev. Henry preached his final sermon at St. Pauls. Afterward, Tom and Colleen celebrated with the rest of the St. Pauls family at a special gala tribute to their nearly four decades of commitment to this community, and LPCS was proud to be counted among the many well-wishers. Best wishes, Tom and Colleen, for a restful and happy retirement!

Rev. Henry was featured on ABC7 news a few weeks back. Click here to view the story.

FREE Ice Cream and MORE at LPCS Open House!

2010-07-15T12:43:00.001-05:00

Come get to know LPCS! Don't miss the upcoming Open House Ice Cream Social on July 24th, from 2-4pm celebrating LPCS' 25th Anniversary. Learn how LPCS has been building hope and empowering homeless men and women in your community for the last 25 years. Stop by, take a tour, enjoy family entertainment, and best of all FREE ice cream, FREE chair massages, and FREE face painting! Maybe you have someone you've been meaning to introduce to LPCS, maybe you haven't seen our renovated facilities, maybe you just want to stop by. In any case, grab your friends and family and stop by this FREE family-friendly event for some delicious FREE ice cream and a tour of LPCS.

For more information on these and other upcoming events, please visit: http://lpcsonline.org/events/

Action Assembly 2010

2010-07-08T11:36:00.001-05:00

On Tuesday, June 22, 700 residents of the Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and North Center neighborhoods gathered at Temple Sholom for the Lakeview Action Coalition’s annual Action Assembly. There, leaders met onstage with elected-officials to both celebrate the accomplishments of the Lakeview Action Coalition (LAC), as well as to address the critical issues and needs facing community residents. The meeting discussed affordable housing, access to healthcare, homeless youth & police accountability, environmental justice, and the state budget crisis.

The Lincoln Park Community Shelter is an active member of Lakeview Action Coalition. Program Director Betsy Carlson is involved in the Affordable Housing Task Force, working to preserve and improve existing housing stock (such as the Diplomat Hotel and various Section 8 buildings in the area) as well as ensure that affordable options are included in new housing developments (such as the redevelopment of the Children’s Memorial Hospital site). Case Manager Murray Manus is active in the Healthcare Task Force, working to improve access to affordable health care in our community. Executive Director Erin Ryan is also involved in the affordable housing work, in addition to service as vice president of LAC’s Board of Directors. LPCS sees a direct connection between our work with homeless individuals and our advocacy within the broader community for increased access to resources.

At the recent Action Assembly, community leaders received important commitments from the local officials to ameliorate the issues highlighted at the event. For more information about the event and LAC, click here: http://lakeviewaction.org/2010_action_assembly.htm

Bringing a Community Together

2010-07-02T10:23:00.000-05:00

About a year ago, I was approached by a young man, Alek, who wanted to do his Eagle Scout project with the Lincoln Park Community Shelter. For those of you who aren't familiar with scouting, an Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project is the opportunity for a Scout to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of his community. This is the culmination of the Eagle Scout candidate's leadership training and requires a significant effort. The project must benefit a community organization, but it be solely a fund-raising project. After talking a little bit with Alek, we came up with the idea of creating "move-out kits" for people graduating from our program. Many of our guests only have their clothes and a few personal possessions when they leave LPCS. The idea was that these kits would include basic items that everyone needs when first moving into an apartment such as a laundry basket, dish towels, dust pans, etc. Alek set out to organize the collection of new and gently used household items to create these kits. He created fliers, posted them around the neighborhood, and organized a collection date. A few months ago, Alek, his family, and some friends brought in everything that had been collected. In addition to assembling 20+ "Graduate move-out kits," Alek had collected a large amount of other household goods for LPCS graduates to access. There was so much stuff that the LPCS dining room was full! Once again, the staff of LPCS were moved by how generous this community is to us and our guests.

Alek has earned over 50 merit badges including Wilderness Survival, Fire Safety, and First Aid. In addition to these merits, Alek has also held a number of leadership positions within his Troop. Alek now joins the ranks of Neil Armstrong, Gerald Ford and other prominent individuals who have achieved this prestigious status as young men. LPCS would like to congratulate Alek on his achievement of scouting's highest rank, Eagle Scout.

Happy AmeriCorps Week 2010!

2010-05-12T09:18:00.014-05:00

When I graduated from DePaul University last June 2009 with a degree in Political Science and zero desire to go to law school, I was worried. What to do with the upcoming months of my life as I figured out a plan for my future? I certainly wanted a professional experience, but not SO professional that I would be thrust into a maelstrom of bottom lines, hierarchy and business suits. I wanted to continue my activism and follow the trajectory of non-profit work that I had been on for four years. But not SO activisty that I would be organizing protests, getting arrested and burnt out. I wanted the chance to go to graduate school at some point, but didn’t yet know what I would study. For a die-hard planner, this uncertainty was agonizing!

I came across the AmeriCorps website and was happy to find a position at the Lincoln Park Community Shelter for which I felt I had under my belt the work experience necessary. I was excited for the chance to work in the area of homelessness, a topic I had studied in college, but had little hands on experience. Luckily, this has turned out to be a great fit for me! I am so thankful for a job in which I receive just the right amount of supervision and have constant support from my co-workers. My job responsibilities are appropriate for my skill sets, and the challenges I face day to day are manageable and exciting. There is never a doubt in my mind that I am providing a necessary service to people in need, and that I really am fighting poverty! This immersive experience into a non-profit organization (and such a high level one at that) has helped cement my future plans. I’m thrilled to be starting graduate school at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration in the fall! Thank goodness for the AmeriCorps*VISTA program and the “grace period” it gave me between college and the next step in my professional development. This “grace period” has been more enjoyable and rewarding then I could have hoped.

For more information on AmeriCorps, please visit http://www.americorps.gov/

--Katie McNamara, LPCS Volunteer Coordinator and AmeriCorps*VISTA

Imaginarium

2010-04-29T13:29:00.000-05:00

Tables covered in scraps of cloth, markers and paint is not the first thing I would expect to see at a homeless shelter! Let alone an entire dining area transformed into an art workspace filled with students from an elite art school and guests at the shelter sharing laughter and creativity! For the past 6 weeks, students from the School of Art Institute of Chicago have been collaborating with guests in projects such as: making felt from scratch, creating a 3-D wall puzzle, and a visualization of each individual’s strengths weaving into one another.

If this sounds like something you have to SEE to BELIEVE, then come to the finale exhibit, entitled Imaginarium, on Wednesday, May 5 between 5:30-7:30pm at the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, 600 W. Fullerton Pkwy. In the students’ and guests’ own words: “The creative exchange between both guests and students has evolved into a sculptural mural project that literally links together and transverses the varying realms of our collective imagination. Celebrate with us and enjoy a night of fun, food and joyous conversation!”

If you have any questions, please email lpcsinfo@lpcsonline.org or call 773.549.6111 x216. We look forward to seeing you at the Imaginarium!

THANK YOU Volunteers!

2010-04-15T10:01:00.004-05:00

Sunday marks the kickoff to National Volunteer Appreciation Week. LPCS would like to take this time to thank all of the volunteers who make what we do possible. Our untiring volunteers put in more than 14,000 hours every year making meals, teaching classes, staying overnight, answering phones, stuffing envelopes, and more! Whether you volunteer at LPCS or elsewhere, LPCS would like to say THANK YOU volunteers!

Giving back, Getting back

2010-04-08T11:59:00.001-05:00

Being in transition has given me the opportunity to explore a variety of venues I never would have experienced. Having been in large nonprofits my entire career, I was pleased to be able to experience a community-based not for profit. Budgets may be smaller but not challenges. I signed up for the Legacy Leadership Institute to mentor not for profits a little over a year ago and luckily was paired with Lincoln Park Community Shelter. After meeting the staff, I immediately knew it would be a pleasure to work with them. The staff have big smiles to match their big hearts as well as a tremendous amount of creative energy-a winning combination which adds to their successful operation of LPCS.

From day one I was completely taken by the sense of community at LPCS. Staff, guests, volunteers and board members are all committed to support and serve. The spirit and atmosphere at LPCS is filled with hope and possibilities, not an easy task in today’s world much less in the world of homelessness. Working with LPCS has changed my own conceptions about homelessness. Walking into the lounge area, I was struck with the notion that I could as well be in a local coffee shop, not a shelter. The time spent working with LPCS has been personally rewarding to me; in the process I have become more aware and understanding of the plight of the homeless and much less judgmental. I look forward to more volunteer opportunities to work with the staff and the LPCS community.

--Teri Somrak, LPCS Legacy Leader Volunteer

The Legacy Leadership Institute program focuses on teaching individuals how to develop much-needed funds for important causes. As a Legacy Leader, volunteers put thier know-how into action after being matched up with a nonprofit organization of their choice. To learn more about the Legacy Leadership Institute, visit http://www.matherlifeways.com/documents/pdfs/LLI-Ind.pdf

A trip to Springfield

2010-04-01T17:35:00.001-05:00

Working in such a hands on environment at the shelter, truly at the grassroots level, is so valuable in terms of understanding the day to day struggles of homelessness. But it’s always important to take a step back and recognize the systemic problems that make homelessness happen. Being in Springfield jolted me back to that reality. It is easy to “blame the victim,” profess that individuals need to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. But homelessness, at its core, is a musical chairs dilemma. More people than places to sit. This is something that I tried to get across to people I spoke with at the capitol. When I sat down with my state rep, it was apparent that he actually did understand this, that affordable housing is limited. The problem was that he put the burden on the non-profits themselves to find the resources to create all of the housing necessary. The fact that non-profits might not be in the business of MAKING MONEY hadn’t dawned on him. It is important for groups of people to continue reminding our state representatives and senators that fighting homelessness is a struggle that requires the collaboration of non-profits doing on-the-ground work, individuals being empowered to make positive life decisions, AND the government shaping a just and equitable system via their lawmaking.

Being given the brush off by two of my legislators certainly made it clear to me that they are not worried about the homeless population in terms of their ability to shape the next political election. It’s true, persons without a home are much less likely to register to vote, go door to door for candidates, donate to campaigns, and show up at the polls on election day. That’s why it’s important for those of us who DO engage in such political actions to speak out and be the best voice of homeless individuals that we can possibly be. Helping provide day to day services to people in need is something I take pride in. But remembering that shelter guests are a SYMPTOM of the problem, and not the problem itself, is critical. This trip to Springfield helped encourage me to look to legislators in helping ameliorate some of these struggles, as opposed to putting all of the responsibilities on non-profits and the individuals themselves, which I sometimes do. No matter how impressive this shelter is, and no matter how much good work it does, we can’t forget that the buck stops in capitol buildings.

--Katie McNamara, LPCS Volunteer Coordinator, Americorps*VISTA

My time at LPCS...

2010-03-11T10:16:00.000-06:00

I came to work at the LPCS through the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, which provides volunteers with a year of experience in a social justice agency. My experience was challenging in many ways, and it provided me insight into my own communication style, methods of handling conflict, and taught me to consider all the factors that may be going into someone's reaction to a situation. I came to Chicago knowing very little about the city and the resources available for the homeless population, and am amazed by how much the case managers and guests themselves have taught me. I realize that I still have a lot to learn, but am grateful for the experience I have been given.

--Claire Hannemann, former LPCS Interim Housing Manager

Thanks for sharing!

2010-02-25T14:03:00.002-06:00

This week, I would like to share links to a couple of interesting things that have come across my desk recently, sent in by volunteers.

Here is a shocking story about H&M and Wal-Mart stores destroying brand-new merchandise, rather than donating it: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/h-m-and-wal-mart-destroy-and-trash-unsold-goods-562909/

Are you an LPCS volunteer? Have you ever wondered where you fit in with other Americans who volunteer? Check out this fun, interactive graph: http://www.good.is/post/transparency-where-we-volunteer/

Have you seen any interesting article you'd like to share? Please send them to me at hreynolds@lpcsonline.org.

Happy Anniversary!!

2010-02-12T08:33:00.001-06:00

Twenty-five years ago today, the Lincoln Park Community Shelter opened its doors to our homeless neighbors. Check http://www.lpcsonline.org/ for upcoming events and celebrations! As part of the celebration, LPCS is very excited to unveil our new logo! Let us know what you think!

Update on Ryan

2010-01-28T15:28:00.002-06:00

In the last issue of Transisitons, LPCS' print newsletter, we spotlighted a guest names Ryan. Since we printed that article, Ryan has since moved out. He recently sent an email updating the staff on how things were going. Here is what he had to say:

"I want you to know I greatly appreciated the opportunity at LPCS. I thank all the volunteers and their efforts. Especially those who helped me prepare my resume. I thank [the staff] and the board members who make this possible for those who struggle in this time of need. I know, nobody was harder on myself than me...Through this experience I learned alot about myself and life. I value this experience and I hope you all reach the success that you strive for in each and every individual you bring there!
I am doing very well, I am an office manager in a doctors office. I left Illinois Masonic Medical Center after they did cutbacks, but because I did a good job as a volunteer, being hired as an employee, my manager referred me to a couple of doctors who were looking for an office manager, and I landed [my current] job. There is hope for everyone. I will be the first to say, I had alot of doubts, but it all worked out...I thank you again!"

Save the Date!

2010-01-07T09:58:00.002-06:00

Save the date for this year’s fantastic party! Lincoln Park Community Shelter 25th Anniversary Metamorphosis Party will be held on Friday, April 23rd at the Saddle and Cycle Club from 7pm to midnight. Last year nearly 200 people gathered to support the LPCS on a beautiful June evening, enjoyed fabulous food, drink, and music, and raised more than $70,000 to support our programs! This year promises to be another great event featuring live and silent auctions, food, music, and more! So mark your calendars and come out and support LPCS, celebrating 25 years in the community! For more information visit: http://www.lpcsonline.org/metamorphosis-party.

A different kind of resolution

2009-12-31T12:45:00.001-06:00

For many, this is the time of year that people stop and take a look at their lives and assess any changes that need to be made, and resolve to make those changes. For the guests at LPCS, this is a daily process. The 35 guests who stay here are all working towards something, for some it's overcoming small challenges like putting together a resume, for others, it's staying sober.

Make it your New Year's resolution to make the difference in the life of someone who's homeless. Start with something as simple as greeting the homeless individual on the corner--most of the time people who are homeless feel invisible. Education and helping to inform others about the truths and realities of the homeless situation in Chicago is a first, but essential, step in change. This could include reading up on statistics, finding out what agencies near you are doing to combat homelessness, sending out an email to someone to share your new-found knowledge, etc. If you are able to do something more, consider volunteering or donating to your local shelter.

Like you, many of the guests at LPCS are interested in making change in their lives, including losing weight, getting more organized, and figuring out their finances. One guest, when asked, responded that his New Year's resolution is "to obtain permanent housing, to persevere until this goal is obtained." Others responded "to quit smoking and workout more." Help guests make progress on these goals by teaching a class or leading an activity on one of these topics. Or, get to know a few of the guests personally through staying overnight—an opportunity for one on one chats!

Have a happy and safe new year!

Community helps LPCS during the holidays

2009-12-24T10:28:00.000-06:00

LPCS would like to thank everyone who has donated a variety of needed items this winter, from hats and gloves to coats and boots, and more. Especially during this tough economy, these gifts are greatly appreciated.

If you would like to make a donation, please call ahead to arrange drop-off. To see what items are needed, take a look at our Wish List.

Happy Holidays!

Taproot Foundation helping Chicago-area non-profits

2009-12-17T09:31:00.001-06:00

Earlier in the year, LPCS received a service grant from the Taproot Foundation to produce a new brochure. After only a few months, LPCS now has a brand new brochure which we can use to recruit volunteers. It was a great experience to work with wonderful professionals from some of Chicago's top advertising and marketing agencies. The Taproot team was very professional and on-task. They were open to our input and feedback, but also came with their own great ideas. LPCS would like to offer a big thank you to all of the volunteer professionals who worked on the project. Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to help LPCS!

For more information on the Taproot Foundation, including how to volunteer or apply for a service grant, visit their website.

International Volunteer Day!

2009-12-04T13:45:00.002-06:00

December 5th is International Volunteer Day! LPCS would like to thank all of our volunteers for the work that they do. Everything that volunteers do, from organizing donations to staying overnight, helps make LPCS programs possible. The Lincoln Park Community Shelter was founded by volunteers and to this day is volunteer driven. Thank you LPCS volunteers!

Thanksgiving at LPCS

2009-11-26T15:11:00.001-06:00

On this Thanksgiving Day, we here at LPCS would like to offer up thanks to all of our volunteers, board members, and the surrounding community for all that they do for the Lincoln Park Community Shelter and its guests. Every time you make a meal, teach a class, or simply drop off a donation of books or clothes, you are touching someone's life who is need. For that reason, LPCS would like to thank all of our supporters. You make this community what it is.

LPCS at night

2009-11-19T11:15:00.000-06:00

On Thursday night, September 10th, I did my first overnight volunteer shift at the Lincoln
Park Community Shelter. It was a fascinating experience and I could go on about it for hours.

The dinner prepared by volunteers smelled great. Chili for dinner, with apple crisp for
dessert. The first game of football season was on that night. Watching a great game between the
Steelers and the Titans with about a dozen of the guests was like watching it with anyone
else. We even stayed up a bit past "lights out" in order to see the end of the game. They
thanked me for letting them stay up to watch it, but I told them that it was more fun to
watch a game with company than by myself. It was a good time.

One guest asked if he could stay up a bit later to take his new clothes out of their packaging (removing tags, paper wrapping, etc) because he would need them in the morning. He had purchased the clothes with his first social security check. He had a bunch of stuff; it took him about an hour.

The shelter typically runs at full capacity (35 beds)and currently has 24 male and 11 female
"guests." It is a very clean and professionally run facility. I'm pretty sure that if any of us would meet the guests on the street that we would not be able to identify most of them as homeless. If you want to learn more about LPCS or get on the email list, visit http://www.lpcsonline.org/. It's a great organization.

--Gil Matar, LPCS Board Member

Thousands of bras collected for the needy

2009-11-12T09:50:00.000-06:00

Check out this article about a man who collects bras form homeless girls and women: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-bras-city-zone-02oct02,0,3810524.story Last winter, LPCS recieved a donation of bras from him!

New Website!

2009-11-05T14:23:00.000-06:00

Has it been awhile since you visited LPCS' website? Well now is the time to revisit it! LPCS' website recently received a face lift and is now new and improved. Check out our upcoming events! Read stories about guests, graduates, volunteers, and funders on the "Faces of LPCS" tab. New quick and easy access to the volunteer calenders! Check it out at http://www.lpcsonline.org/ and let us know what you think!

"Homeless find hope in working on TV show"

2009-10-26T16:51:00.001-05:00

Check out this interesting article that was sent to us by one of our volunteers!
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/06/homeless.tv/index.html

Tweet Tweet!

2009-10-22T15:11:00.001-05:00

Follow LPCS on Twitter! http://twitter.com/LincolnParkCS

“Stuffing, A Prelude to the Holidays”

2009-10-15T13:57:00.000-05:00

Join LPCS and S.H.E. for an evening of art, music, and theater! "Stuffing, A Prelude to the Holidays" will be on Saturday, November 21st from 5pm till Midnight, and will be held at Gallery 1028 (1028 N. Hooker St.). "Stuffing" is an Evening of Theater, Art, Music, Dancing, Food, Drinks, Fundraising, Raffle, Silent Auction & Great Prizes! LPCS will recieve 50% of the proceeds from the evening's festivities.

Tickets are available now! Tickets are only $20 until November 6th, $25 after November 6th and $30 at the door! To purchase tickets, visit: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/85687

For more information, visit: http://www.lpcsonline.org/.

To learn more about S.H.E., visit thier website at: http://www.sheproductions.org/

Running with a Conscience

2009-10-09T16:58:00.001-05:00

This Sunday 45,000 runners will hit the pavement for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. We at the Lincoln Park Community Shelter want to wish all of them good luck (especially Dan – our DePaul social work intern)! As the runners pass through the neighborhoods of Chicago, we hope that they will keep in mind the approximately 21,000 individuals that go homeless every night, living within those neighborhoods. Help us fight homelessness in the Lincoln Park neighborhood by donating to our mission. For other ways to help LPCS combat homelessness please visit our website to learn more.

Taste of Fall was a success!

2009-10-01T13:19:00.000-05:00

A Taste of Fall 2009 was held on Thursday, September 24th, 6:30-10:30pm at Goose Island's Wrigleyville location. Guests enjoyed beer and appetizers paired to bring out the best in each other, while listening to live music. VIP ticket holders enjoyed an interactive Goose Island “Beer Academy” session with specially paired cheeses by Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine. A great time was had by all! In all, the event raised almost $8,000 for LPCS' programs!

What LPCS means to me...

2009-09-25T13:26:00.004-05:00

To me, LPCS is my second home.

I started volunteering at LPCS almost three years ago and ever since I've considered both the staff and guests to be apart of my life, as they've made a niche for me in theirs. I started off as an overnight volunteer, but after realizing that I wanted to do more, the LPCS staff helped me find a way to include me in their daily community. I've fallen in love with the mission, the people, and the facility itself over the years, and without the shelter I don't know if I would be the same person. But as much as they've helped me, what keeps me coming back is the way they help the people that truly need it. They make it their priority to not only give the basic necessities to individuals who have fallen on rough times, but to go above and beyond. They empower individuals by giving them the tools and skills to escape homelessness, but they also give them the compassion and respect that everyone deserves but rarely recieves when going through such harsh times. LPCS not only gave me, my second home but also showed me that my small acts make a large impact. And for that I will always be blessed.

This is what LPCS means to me... what does it mean to you?

Taste of Fall Next Thursday!

2009-09-17T14:03:00.002-05:00

Tickets are still available for next week's Taste of Fall! Come eat some good food, drink some beer, and help out a great cause! We have two amazing exclusive auction items up for grabs: a tour and tasting for you and 11 of your nearest and dearest at Goose Island's brewery, followed by flights and appetizers at the Wrigleyville pub. You can also bid for your chance to win tours and tastings for 12 at Chicago's own Metropolitan Brewery and Koval Distillery. Neither of these opportunities are available to the public! For tickets and more information, visit: www.lpcsonline.org

Service at any age

2009-09-10T12:07:00.002-05:00

Every day volunteers come to LPCS to work at our front desk, make meals, teach classes, and stay overnight. It is wonderful to see the community coming together to make a difference--at any age. Our youngest volunteer this month was four-years old. She helped make dinner with her family and some friends. Our oldest volunteer this month was in her 70s. She came along to make dinner with her daughter and son-in-law. These are just two examples of people making a difference in everyday life. No matter how old you are there is always some place that you can volunteer at, including LPCS.

For more information on volunteering at LPCS, visit: http://www.lpcsonline.org/volunteer-opps

Make Breakfast at LPCS

2009-08-27T13:01:00.001-05:00

Are you a morning person? Do you like to cook? LPCS has recently decided to offer a hot breakfast to our guests every morning. If you are interested in volunteering to make breakfast let us know! Volunteers purchase, prepare, and serve the food. In the past, volunteers have made everything from oatmeal and bagels to pancakes and egg bakes. Weekday breakfast is served at 7:30 a.m. and weekend breakfast is served at 9:30am. To find out more information, and to see what dates are avaiable, please visit http://www.lpcsonline.org/volunteer-calendars. To sign up, please email Suzanne at lpcsinfo@lpcsonline.org!

Taste of Fall September 24th!

2009-08-20T10:26:00.000-05:00

Compassion Still Burns In Lincoln Park

2009-08-13T11:53:00.001-05:00

This past Saturday, I attended a memorial service for a man who was instrumental in the early days of the Lincoln Park Community Shelter. Jim Northcutt lived for several years on a bench at Clark and Deming streets. His story made national headlines in 1986 after he and his belongings were set on fire while he slept there, a sign of the times in the mid-80s when homelessness was emerging as a national crisis, and communities were struggling with how to respond. Lincoln Park residents, including those who founded the LPCS, were outraged, and redoubled their efforts to establish a safe haven – a shelter – that was community-supported.

Jim was a sporadic guest at the LPCS in our early years. He spoke little and seemed wary of the assistance we were providing, but was always cordial and allowed a few people to get closer to him. He left an impression, as those gathered on Saturday to remember him told stories of simple interactions and lives changed forever as a result. The mystery of Jim reminded everyone who encountered him that each homeless man and woman had a story, a history, and a family who loved them.

Jim had been an engineer with the CTA until he descended further into depression and mental illness, eventually losing his apartment and touch with his family in the late 60s. His sister Gail finally located him in 1986 when she recognized his description in an article in the Wall Street Journal, chronicling the fire and his unwitting role in a national debate about how to address the growing problem of homelessness. Via a long chain of social workers and priests, Gail helped to get Jim medical attention and temporary housing, and some sense of reconnection before he passed away in 1988 from leukemia.

A year later, the Northcutt family dedicated a drinking fountain to Jim’s memory. The fountain still stands near the North Pond gazebo in Lincoln Park, and is inscribed “All you who are thirsty, come to the water!” (Isaiah 55:1) They gather every five years to celebrate his memory and the reunion they were able to establish before he passed. I was honored to be included in this year’s tribute, and am so inspired by the stories I heard from Jim’s family and long-time Lincoln Park residents who remember him.

Unknowingly, Jim’s journey helped to fan the spark of awareness and compassion that many Lincoln Park residents were feeling in the mid-1980s, prompting them to come together to form the LPCS. Although Jim died many years ago, his memory lives strong in this community, proving that the fire of compassion is still burning strong in Lincoln Park!

--Erin Ryan, LPCS Executive Director

Volunteer Coordinator position open at LPCS!

2009-08-06T21:39:00.004-05:00

LPCS is looking for a talented and friendly individual to join our team this fall as the Volunteer Coordinator. The Volunteer Coordinator works to recruit, train, and manage the thousands of volunteers we have each year. This is an Americorps*VISTA position, which means that it is a volunteer position that comes with a stipend provided by Americorps. For more information on the position, please visit our website: http://lpcsonline.org/staff.html. We'll be accepting applications through August 14th.

Social Networking--the LPCS version

2009-07-30T12:10:00.001-05:00

The concept of Social Networking as a means of communication is nothing new to the Lincoln Park Community Shelter. . . but, not necessarily by its 21st century definition. As I reflect on my years of involvement with LPCS, much of our support has come from the “old fashioned” networking of friend to friend, family member to family member, work colleague to work colleague and so on and so on. Through these interactions, hundreds of people have learned about the LPCS’ efforts face-to-face in the way people might share information today via social media such as Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter.

The benefit of this storytelling, be it “live” or electronic, has been immeasurable and it needs to continue. But, we also believe there are even bigger, better and more in-depth stories to tell our supporters and potential supporters. To this end, the Marketing and Communications Committee has developed a comprehensive communications plan that we have started to implement.

Among the highlights of this integrated plan is the refinement of our key messages, revamping of our website (look for our new site in the coming months!) and printed brochure as well as added participation in community events. In addition, if you haven’t noticed, LPCS is on Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn. We even have an LPCS group on LinkedIn. We also have an e-newsletter (to sign up to recieve the e-news visit http://www.lpcsonline.org/)

Keeping you well-informed about our activities is very important to us. We would welcome your comments on what and how you see “news” about the LPCS in the time ahead.

--Peg Wander, VP LPCS Board of Directors

Guest and Graduate Photo Show!

2009-07-23T14:55:00.002-05:00

The Lincoln Park Community Shelter is fortunate enough to have the support of many other organizations within the Lincoln Park area. One of those organizations is the Chicago Photography Center. The Chicago Photography Center (CPC) is a volunteer driven organization that holds classes that teach people a variety of photography skills. They also have an outreach program which LPCS has been lucky to be a part of. Twice a month, volunteers from CPC take guests out in Chicago and shares their expertise about getting the perfect photo. The photography class is a favorite among our guests with several of them continuing to participate even after they graduate from our program.

Several months ago, CPC decided to give our guests a once in a lifetime opportunity by helping them put on a gallery opening, where our guests are able to display the work they have produced while in the class. For the last three months, LPCS guests and graduates have been editing their photos, mounting them for display, and learning the ins and outs of a gallery opening. This Friday, July 25th, at 6:30pm the Chicago Photography Center will open the Satellite Show featuring their outreach efforts to LPCS and Deborah’s Place, a women’s shelter on north side of Chicago. The exhibit will be on display through the month of August. We encourage you to stop by the Center to see all the hard work and effort our guests have put into their work! The Chicago Photography Center is located at 3301 N. Lincoln Ave. If you have any questions email Suzanne Powers at lpcsinfo@lpcsonline.org.

My enlightening experience at LPCS

2009-07-16T10:18:00.001-05:00

My perception of the homeless and homeless shelters has changed dramatically since I started volunteering at LPCS in August. It was kind of a revelation to meet such a wide range of people classified as "homeless." There are history buffs, yoga fanatics -- people with whom I can easily relate. Before stepping into LPCS, I thought shelters looked kind of like POW camps, with dark, vast sleeping areas full of creaky twin beds. I'd never heard of extended-stay shelters, in which guests take a wide range of classes to get their lives back on track.

As a front-desk volunteer, there is a lot of sitting around and talking to guests/employees/cooks. For me, it's a nice way to wind down after a day of work. I've made some good friends during my time at LPCS, and I'm hoping to get more involved as long as my schedule allows it.

-- Emile Dawisha

Chicago Cubs visit LPCS

2009-07-09T16:28:00.001-05:00

Cubs closing pitcher, Kevin Gregg serving dinner to LPCS guests.

Last night, guests of the LPCS recieved a special treat: Chicago Cubs closing pitcher Kevin Gregg. Gregg and his wife Nicole, Christina Lee, wife of Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee, and several Cubs staffers served dinner to the guests of LPCS. Gregg stayed after dinner to sign t-shirts that the Cubs provided for all of the guests. A great time was had by all!

LPCS in the Community

2009-07-02T14:45:00.000-05:00

Each summer, Chicago neighborhood associations host a variety of street festivals and Lincoln Park has some of the best! Proceeds from most of these festivals go back into the community. The LPCS has been the lucky beneficiary of some of these funds. To thank them for their support, LPCS likes to provide volunteers for the festivals. This summer, LPCS will be helping out at four festivals.

Come help LPCS bring the community together by volunteering for one of these fabulous festivals! LPCS has offered to provide a certain number of volunteers for each of these festivals. We are currently looking for volunteers for:

Sheffield Gard Walk:

Saturday 7/18: 2:00-4:00 (3 volunteers)
Sunday 7/19: 2:00-4:00 (3 volunteers)

The Taste of Lincoln:

Saturday 7/25: 6:30-9:30pm (3 volunteers)

Sunday 7/26: 11:45am-3:30pm (3 volunteers)

New! Lincoln Park Arts & Music Festival:

Saturday 8/8: 6:30-10pm (10 volunteers)

Sunday 8/9: 5:45-9pm (10 volunteers)

If these times don't work for you, there are other shifts available. To sign up for these, or any other shifts, please contact Suzanne Powers at lpcsinfo@lpcsonline.org.

Add Blue & Yellow to Go Green

2009-06-25T16:48:00.001-05:00

LPCS is on the move with the “Blue & Yellow Project” to go green. The new Blue & Yellow Policy was recently implemented to encourage the participation of guests, staff & volunteers to conserve resources and recycle materials within the facility. The timing comes perfectly as the city of Chicago begins the Blue Cart Recycling Program in Lincoln Park at the end of June. Whether it’s printing double-sided pages, buying food items in bulk or simply discarding recyclables into separate bins, it will take both individual and collective efforts to do its part towards great environmental contributions. There are hopes for continued environmental awareness and interest, including Environmental Track Activities for guests. If you have any environmental conscious suggestions for LPCS, they are more than welcome! You can email suggestions to lpcsinfo@lpcsonline.org. Thanks for LPCS go green!

Carrie Underwood at Ravinia!

2009-06-18T14:54:00.000-05:00

LPCS has 75, count 'em 75, tickets to the sold-out Carrie Underwood show at Ravinia on Sunday, August 30th. If you are interested in going to the show, and helping out LPCS a little bit, click here to purchase tickets. Tickets are $40 for lawn seats, with a portion of the ticket price directly benefiting the Lincoln Park Community Shelter!

Metamorphosis Party 2009

2009-06-11T12:37:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who attended Friday night's event! Nearly 200 people gathered to support the LPCS on a beautiful June evening, enjoyed fabulous food, drink, and music, and raised more than $71,000 to support our programs! This year's special appeal was to fund Graduate Services. Watch below to hear Graduates, in their own words, describe the importance of these services, and why they stay connected to LPCS. To make a special gift to Graduate Services at LPCS, click here, and enter "Graduates" in the designation field.

Life as a Case Management Intern

2009-06-04T16:22:00.001-05:00

Coming out of college as an undergraduate, I went right into graduate school to get my masters in clinical social work at the University of Chicago. I was placed at the Lincoln Park Community Shelter for my first year field placement, and I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive, clinical learning, eye-opening experience. Although my interest lies in medical social work, I had the great opportunity to work with a diverse range of homeless individuals who all have touched me in some way. I learned from all thirteen guests I personally worked with, and feel that I helped made positive life changes for a group of them. As I am leaving LPCS, I feel confident and assured that I’ve made small to large impacts on some of the guests of LPCS. As an intern I was able to not only use my clinical skills that I was simultaneously learning in class during our meetings, but I learned a lot about outside agencies where our guests receive substance abuse counseling, mental health treatment, job training classes, etc. Overall I’ve loved being an intern at LPCS; the staff, guests, and volunteers all made my experience worthwhile.

--Emily Klauder, LPCS Case Management Intern

Get Your Tickets Now!

2009-05-28T14:45:00.001-05:00

It's not too late to purchase tickets to this year's Metamorphosis Party! Join us for a fun evening with signature martinis, a cigar bar, delectible food, and fabulous auction items! For more information, and to purchase tickets, click here. Ticket prices increase after May 31st so get your tickets early!