After a rough patch of financial distress, the Northside Housing and Supportive Services (NSHSS) organization is back on track and ready to help people in need once again.
On Christmas Eve of 2016, NSHSS was getting ready to close their homeless shelter due to the lack of city funds needed to continue its operation. However, after heavy outreach by individuals and other organizations, the shelter was provided with the funds to stay open.
“NSHSS’s main goal is to fight homelessness in all forms and to provide empathy for everyone who needs help in the City of Chicago,” said Allen Loomis, Associate’s Board and Governance Committee member.
According to the NSHSS Annual 2016 Report, the Uptown men’s shelter saves 300 or more men from homelessness each year. Last year’s staff served 322 men and placed 53 into permanent housing with 99 gaining employment or cash benefits. The Uptown shelter is for men only as law requires men and women to be sheltered separately from each other.
The men’s shelter was the part of NSHSS that was facing closure. However, a December 2016 NSHSS update states that on December 23, 2016, a large, multi-year donation from the Reva and David Logan Foundation and renewed support from the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services allowed the shelter to keep its doors open and continue helping the public.
“The most heartwarming thing I saw during the budget crisis was the community coming together to help the shelter. I would come to my desk and have so many phone calls from people,” said NSHSS Development Manager Jennifer Kopman.
Additionally, a GoFundMe page served as the site for additional donations. NSHSS plans to use those funds for day-to-day maintenance of the shelter. A donation from the Bridgeview Bank fund is going to be used for a renovation of the homeless shelter.
Helping those in need is important if one is to broaden their mental horizons. Being exposed to people in unfortunate circumstances can breed a new way of thinking about the less fortunate that would not emerge otherwise.
The opportunity to assist someone in need is ever present and can take on many forms throughout a person’s lifetime. Such an opportunity is present right now with NSHSS.
With continued funding of the shelter comes the need for volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Allen Loomis at Allen.Loomis@gmail.com or Jennifer Kopman at jkopman@northsidehousing.org. You can also reach out to the organization at www.northsidehousing.org.
With continued financial support from countless organizations and individuals during their time of distress, NSHSS can continue fighting the good fight and battling poverty throughout Chicago.