August 23, 2024
Homeless Does Not Mean Hopeless
March 1, 2024 marked the first day of our partnership with PADS Lake County, and what a wonderful and rewarding experience it has been so far. This mission started with a simple question: How can we work together to do more for one of our community’s most vulnerable populations?
This partnership has given us the opportunity to bring our programs and services to families living in two of PADS' hotel shelter sites in Lake County. Together, we’re providing support for families experiencing homelessness and empowering children with high-quality learning opportunities.
Homeless does not mean hopeless, and it’s our mission to make sure that it’s felt and known through love, compassion, and fun. Since the start of our partnership, we have provided various services, programs, and fun opportunities for the families living at these hotel shelter sites, including...
Weekly Youth Programming
The "Helping Hands" Closet
The "Helping Hands" Closet
Our youth programming brings fun and educational activities for the kids. Past activities have included slime-making kits, arts and crafts, and bingo nights for the whole family to enjoy. We see an average of 20 kids per session!
The "Helping Hands" Closet
The "Helping Hands" Closet
The "Helping Hands" Closet
Set up at one of the hotel shelter sites, this closet includes a range of donated clothing and baby items for families to choose from completely for free.
Family Fun Days
The "Helping Hands" Closet
Children's Books and Toys
We host fun events at the hotel shelter sites, but if one of our events is off-site, we work with PADS to get transportation for the families. These events include bounce houses, face painting, free food, fun activities, and more.
Children's Books and Toys
Children's Books and Toys
Children's Books and Toys
Our Formative Years room includes coloring books, sensory toys, and children's stories for the little ones (ages 0-5) to enjoy using during our programming.
Wraparound Services
Children's Books and Toys
Wraparound Services
We provide additional services such as case management and therapy groups, making sure parents are also supported.
Nutritious Meals
Children's Books and Toys
Wraparound Services
During our weekly programming, we make sure to bring hot meals and nutritious snacks for the families to enjoy together.
Our program not only provides a safe and welcoming environment for families, but also offers vital support & resources to help them during these challenging situations. Our goal is to help these families navigate their challenges with strength and resilience through our programs.
But these programs are also about bringing the community together and forming bonds through joy and laughter. There is power and strength in joy, and we want to continue empowering families to have hope even in the darkest times.
This partnership has been an exciting step in our collective mission of putting families first and strengthening our community bit by bit. PADS Lake County has exciting plans in store that we are looking forward to supporting them through. PADS has purchased a local hotel, with plans to renovate it as a long-term shelter site. This space will be more than a place for families to rest their heads, although that alone will be a great positive change in the lives of these families.
This site will be used to meet the needs of families and children experiencing homelessness, allowing us to best provide them with the wraparound services they need. We look forward to providing our family support services and youth programming at PADS’ permanent site once it’s ready.
From working closely with PADS, it’s clear this plan is being executed with nothing but love and care for our community. Every detail has taken the needs of our community into consideration, and it will show when this site comes to fruition.
We’re excited to see how this partnership will grow and change as the years go by, doing the work it takes to best support the individuals and families in the community facing homelessness.
Roberti Community House
Roberti Community House
Roberti Community House
One of our incredible partners, Roberti Community House, has helped us best support families living in PADS hotel shelter sites by providing hot meals for families to enjoy together during our weekly programming.
Catholic Charities
Roberti Community House
Roberti Community House
With the help of Catholic Charities, we gave backpacks and school supplies to over 60 kids living in PADS hotel shelter sites. With backpacks full of notebooks, pencils, and other materials, the kids had what they needed to succeed during the new school year.
United Way of Lake County
United Way of Lake County
United Way of Lake County
Thanks to United Way of Lake County’s generous donation of Mother's Day cards and handmade bracelets, kids at the hotel shelter sites were able to create beautiful Mother’s Day gifts for their moms.
Project Linus
United Way of Lake County
United Way of Lake County
Project Linus’ North and Central Chicagoland Chapter distributed warm, fuzzy handmade blankets to every child who wanted one at the shelters. Seeing the joy and comfort these blankets brought to the kids and families was truly immeasurable.