homeless shelters need your donations in lake and cook county illinois
As the weather turns wintry, Chicago suburban homeless shelters are preparing for what's expected to be a record-setting demand for services.
For many PADS organizations, the not-for-profit groups that run shelters and other services for homeless people throughout the Chicago area, the 2008 fiscal year was their all-time busiest.
But because of rising unemployment, the foreclosure crisis and other worsening economic factors, PADS representatives predict the current fiscal year, which began this summer, will be worse.
With temperatures dropping in recent weeks, more people are turning to PADS shelters for warmth and safety.
Cedric Lee, is community outreach director of Lake County's PADS Crisis Services - and sees numbers up.
Scott Block, is division director with McHenry County PADS. His agency operates seven shelter sites at area churches, with one open each night of the week, between October and April, and a year-round day center with additional beds for emergencies.
There's room for about 50 people each night - and they've found themselves out of space already this season.
During the 2008 fiscal year, McHenry County PADS served about 400 homeless men, women and children - a record for the group. The agency is on pace to exceed that total in 2009.
Dennis Hewitt, is executive director of PADS of Elgin, which operates a single year-round shelter in that city for residents of Dundee, Elgin and Hanover townships.
Most people who lose their homes first rely on friends or family for shelter. Then people turn to churches and social-service groups to help them get by temporarily. When those wells run dry, people turn to PADS.
DuPage PADS operates three shelters every night, at rotating sites throughout that county. Maximum capacity is 140 people.
The number of people seeking shelter through DuPage PADS in October was 37 percent greater than it was a year earlier, Executive Director Carol Simler said. She attributes the increase to people with low-paying jobs who saw their hours cut and no longer could afford rent.
During the last fiscal year, Lake County PADS served 787 adults and 114 children. This year, Lee expects more than 850 adults and at least 150 children will seek emergency shelter at his group's 14 rotating shelters and one permanent site.
Demand typically peaks in January,
Donations of goods are appreciated. But cash gifts are needed, too, so organizers can buy specific things that people need that may not be among the donated items.
For many PADS organizations, the not-for-profit groups that run shelters and other services for homeless people throughout the Chicago area, the 2008 fiscal year was their all-time busiest.
But because of rising unemployment, the foreclosure crisis and other worsening economic factors, PADS representatives predict the current fiscal year, which began this summer, will be worse.
With temperatures dropping in recent weeks, more people are turning to PADS shelters for warmth and safety.
Cedric Lee, is community outreach director of Lake County's PADS Crisis Services - and sees numbers up.
Scott Block, is division director with McHenry County PADS. His agency operates seven shelter sites at area churches, with one open each night of the week, between October and April, and a year-round day center with additional beds for emergencies.
There's room for about 50 people each night - and they've found themselves out of space already this season.
During the 2008 fiscal year, McHenry County PADS served about 400 homeless men, women and children - a record for the group. The agency is on pace to exceed that total in 2009.
Dennis Hewitt, is executive director of PADS of Elgin, which operates a single year-round shelter in that city for residents of Dundee, Elgin and Hanover townships.
Most people who lose their homes first rely on friends or family for shelter. Then people turn to churches and social-service groups to help them get by temporarily. When those wells run dry, people turn to PADS.
DuPage PADS operates three shelters every night, at rotating sites throughout that county. Maximum capacity is 140 people.
The number of people seeking shelter through DuPage PADS in October was 37 percent greater than it was a year earlier, Executive Director Carol Simler said. She attributes the increase to people with low-paying jobs who saw their hours cut and no longer could afford rent.
During the last fiscal year, Lake County PADS served 787 adults and 114 children. This year, Lee expects more than 850 adults and at least 150 children will seek emergency shelter at his group's 14 rotating shelters and one permanent site.
Demand typically peaks in January,
Donations of goods are appreciated. But cash gifts are needed, too, so organizers can buy specific things that people need that may not be among the donated items.
Labels: homeless shelters need your donations in lake and cook county illinois
posted by Rick Hauser at
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