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Lazarus House
Hope Haven
Crisis Pregnancy Center
Wayside Cross Ministries
Hope Haven
accommodates two different programs, the emergency shelter and transitional
housing for homeless families. The emergency shelter operates between the
hours of 7 pm and 7 am and targets homeless individuals and families who
need only temporary assistance, (up to 90 days), to secure permanent
housing. The transitional housing program is a 24 hour, intensive housing
program for homeless families who need multiple services to ensure that they
will not only access, but maintain permanent housing. This program targets
families who need up to two years to acquire the skills, education, training
and supportive services they need to be able to reach self sufficiency. The
transitional shelter also focuses on the needs of homeless children by
providing mentors and tutors along with enough space to play and grow.
Hope Haven is located at 1145 Rushmore Drive in DeKalb.
Here is an excerpt from Hope Haven’s latest
newsletter…
In Their Own Words
Mandy, 17 years old:
My name is Mandy, I’m 17 years old, and I’m homeless. When I say that out
loud, it sounds so strange. I have been staying at Hope Haven for about
three weeks, but we (me, my sisters, and mom) didn’t have a “home” for over
a month before we came to Hope Haven. I stayed with a couple of friends and
my mom and sisters stayed with one of her friends.
What I remember the most about coming to Hope Haven is ---crying! I cried
myself to sleep for the first couple of days. I don’t do it that often
anymore. Another thing I remember is when students from my school came to
Hope Haven to volunteer. I was so ashamed to leave my room, but I eventually
did. I don’t know why, but I still feel ashamed. I’ve only told three of my
friends that I live here. It’s so hard sometimes. There are some good things
about living here (I guess), for example, every Saturday the kids go to the
“Art Attack”. The Art Attack is a school in Sycamore and we take art
classes. The staff here is so nice (although I couldn’t remember all of
their names if my life depended on it). They are always there to greet you
with a smile and offer you a helping hand. I like that there are people
there to help you.
The staff at Hope Haven makes sure that the adults have their chores done.
They make sure that they pay their rent and save money to move out and get a
good start in life. There are nurses that come to Hope Haven too. I think
it’s such a good thing to have a place like this in DeKalb. People need help
getting back on their feet. People need help to start a new life.
Hope Haven listed their Organizational Highlights in a Summer
2002 newsletter:
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October 1986, five area churches opened the
doors initiating a PADS (Pubic Action of Deliver Shelter), program
which provided emergency food and shelter for the homeless in DeKalb
County. |
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In 1990, Hope Haven was established and
evolved from a 7 month seasonal shelter with no supportive services to a
12 month agency providing shelter, food, and comprehensive services
including job search, skill training, counseling and case management by
a licensed social worker. |
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Developed resources needed to implement the
only Warming/Day Center for homeless families and individuals in a 50
mile radius, thus expanding shelter operation to 24 hours a day, seven
days a week. |
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Creatively involved community members from
over 30 churches, synagogues, temples and other social service agencies
to ensure clients receive the services they need. This also helped
establish a volunteer program of over 500 people. |
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Successfully worked with five social
service agencies to write and receive a $998,000 shelter Plus Care grant
(the only award in the state) to increase the availability of housing
for the homeless who are chronically mentally ill. |
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Developed and implemented a new aftercare
program which has successfully helped homeless individuals and families
transition from homelessness to permanent housing. |
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Worked with Kishwaukee College to receive
two grants which implemented a literacy program for children and a
family literacy program which focuses on family bonding through reading.
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In 1998, Hope Haven’s Executive Director
was recognized by the National Association of Social Workers as “Social
Worker of the Year” for the State of Illinois. |
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Worked with Kishwaukee College to receive a
grant from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office to fund a summer
educational and recreational program for children and their families.
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Successfully wrote and received a $460,000
grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of open
a transitional shelter for homeless families. |
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Successfully raised over $1,000,000 to
build a new homeless shelter which increased capacity, programs,
services, and opportunities for people who are homeless in DeKalb
County. |
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Successfully co-wrote and received a
$500,000 grant, in conjunction with the DeKalb County Housing Authority,
to open a 26 bed permanent housing project for chronically homeless
people with disabilities. This project will open in the winter of 2003.
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Lazarus House
Hope Haven
Crisis Pregnancy Center
Wayside Cross Ministries
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