CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, Loop, Evanston, Portage Park

We’re continuing our closer look at varied non-profit organizations located in our featured neighborhoods to promote the scores of ways we can give back in honor of Thanksgiving and throughout the year.

LINCOLN PARK

2015 Statistics from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless estimated that 125,848 Chicagoans were homeless last year. 35% of them were children and teenagers, 18,831 of which were students. Can you imagine maintaining school work while being homelessness? Though we’re quick to assume that many people are on the street due to substance abuse, there are so many factors such unemployment or under-employment, domestic violence, mental illness, and war-traumatized veterans. Finding work is tough enough but made even harder without a permanent address or access to reliable phone or internet services. To ease these struggles, Lincoln Park Community Shelter (600 W. Fullerton Pkwy) relies on no less than 1,400 volunteers per year to assist in their mission of connecting homeless men and women with permanent housing. Volunteers can get involved by cooking and serving meals, assist with literacy, computer, and living skills classes, becoming a job or peer coach, providing overnight supervision and support, even the front desk is maintained by volunteers.

LINCOLN SQUARE

I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s noticed the near party-like atmosphere surrounding The Night Ministry Outreach Bus when it’s parked around Lincoln Square, Ravenswood and Lakeview. Have you ever been curious enough to ask about what they do? Outreach Services engage homeless folks by offering HIV testing, medical exams, and informing them about their programs for Short-Term Youth Housing, pregnancy and parenting skills, and Transitional Housing for homeless teenagers. As a plus the Bus also provides coffee and a safe space for communing with others. From personal experience, most everyone surrounding the Bus is very open and friendly if you’re curious enough to say hello. Direct Service volunteers are always welcome to provide non-judgmental, affirmative support or Support Opportunities are available to pack supplies and helping with special events. There are Volunteering Requirements and training is necessary. Furthermore, donations of socks and underwear, disposable diapers, towels and linens, Ventra and gift cards are also important to keeping The Night Ministry in action.

LOOP

Animal lovers can volunteer to aid with the adoption and fostering of abandoned and homeless animals by providing a New Leash on Life which is entirely run by volunteers. That means all clerical, fundraising, transportation and special event positions are available to interested helpers. If you love animals and would like to volunteer your time and skills, New Leash on Life are on a constant hunt for dependable transporters, graphic designers, fundraisers, photographers, and more.

EVANSTON

The lovely area of Evanston is so organized that they have their own website dedicated to matching helpers with various organizations and individuals in need. Just sign up with VolunteerEvanston.org to get connected with short- or long-term opportunities. With a little training from associated organizations, individuals can tap into their knowledge of taxes, fundraising, computer and social media skills to help others. Or  you can volunteer your time and energy to escort the elderly and disabled to appointments or, when the weather eventually shifts, log on and respond to requests for snow shoveling assistance.

PORTAGE PARK

ICE, the Institute for Community Empowerment, at 5750 W. Irving Park Rd. has been at the forefront of democracy for 28 years, developing initiatives to empower communities in crisis. Among their many successes ICE instituted the nation’s first Guaranteed Home Equity Assurance Program and spearheaded the citywide model for partnering the police with the community and City agencies in identifying and solving neighborhood crime problems known as CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) which is often featured in our Neighborhood News blog. ICE’s current projects include the expansion of mental health services across Chicago; assisting with Housing Bronzeville’s mission of developing city-owned vacant lots into affordable housing; and Citizens Now which provides after-school citizenship skills training for Chicago Public Schools’ 5th and 6th graders. No volunteer opportunities for this board of driven and skilled community leaders but donating to this robust organization can go a long way! Visit the homepage and find the Donate button with the link above.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO