Homeless Outreach
Providing resources to the homeless
St. Vincent de Paul Center’s Homeless Outreach program is a key resource for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless on the north side of Chicago. The program provides a critical link and safety net for men, women and families who are without shelter, food, clothing and other basic necessities for living. It provides a place where everyone in need can come and feel welcomed and be treated with dignity and respect while receiving support during a very difficult time in their lives.
The Homeless Outreach program sees over 1,000 clients annually. There are over 8,000 client visits each year. About 40% of these clients come to us for food pantry items, and over 10% are new clients each year. The staff provides focused personalized attention that is both supportive and empowering.
Services
- Intake and assessment
- Case Management, especially focusing on housing options
- Food Pantry
- Basic Needs, including clothing, shoes, and toiletries
- Communication services - ability to make telephone calls and receive mail for employment, housing, appointments, to name a few, and to receive messages through the message center
- On-site medical care and referrals for medical treatment and/or prescriptions through Heartland Health Services
- Assistance with securing a birth certificate, social security card, food stamps, public aid and other social service benefits
- Resource and Referral services for substance abuse and mental health treatment, medical and dental care, job training and placement, housing and other support services
- Emergency financial assistance through a partnership with the Emergency Fund for clients experiencing a crisis situation
- LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and weatherization application site
The Homeless Outreach program serves three groups of clients:
- The chronically homeless
This is the group most often thought of as homeless. These are people who are without housing for extended periods of time. They typically struggle with mental illness, substance abuse, or both. Frequently, people in this group have little formal education, and often have criminal records -- both of which make employment and housing much more difficult. We serve the chronically homeless by providing showers, a change of clothing, shoes and toiletries. We also offer case management, including assistance with housing and job applications, placement in recovery programs, and provide phone service and a mailing address to strengthen our homeless clients’ ability to secure housing or employment.
- Food pantry recipients
This group is mostly housed, but very low-income. Many seniors are included in this category. Low income families with young children also make use of the food pantry. We provide a nutritious blend of staple food items for this group. Some also come in for other services, such as using the phone or computer.
- Those at risk of becoming homeless
This group may need one-time emergency funds or help with an energy assistance application. Frequently, clients from this group have recently lost a job because of current economic conditions. Clients from this group typically want help with job leads or training. They may come to use the computer, phone or fax to search for employment opportunities. They may also come seeking clothing appropriate to wear to a job interview.
People who are living on the streets or moving from shelter to shelter have a myriad of needs that usually cannot be met without the assistance of a social service program. Before a case manager can fully assist homeless clients, it is imperative that the program provide a safe place where they feel welcome and are not judged for their life circumstances. This environment helps to build a trusting relationship and enables the case managers to work with the client to help them get their basic needs met and to begin to rebuild their lives. The case managers assist the clients with realistic goal setting and review the progress they are making to achieve their goals.
