A different kind of resolution

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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!