Dear Friends, The end of the year is always a reflective time for me. It is one of my traditions to take December 31 as my last personal day of the year, so I can spend time in reflection, as the holidays come to a close. I find a quiet space within my heart to reflect on the challenges of the year that is passing, what have been my personal and pr...

Human connection is an essential part of The Night Ministry's mission. And while it's often spoken about in terms of how the agency works with those whom it serves, it extends to communities as well. That means building and sustaining relationships with residents, businesses, and leaders in the neighborhoods in which it operates. Over the past few ...

For the past several weeks, staff with The Night Ministry's Outreach & Health Ministry (OHM) Program have been hitting the rails to reach individuals struggling with homelessness. During the winter, Peer Advocate Professional, Keith Belton, suggested to his colleagues on the Street Medicine Team that they try conducting outreach on the CTA. Bec...

Kiantae Bowles has played multiple roles on The Night Ministry's Board of Directors, from Secretary to serving on the Finance Committee. Bowles, who is Manager of Informational Technology Procurement with BMO Financial Group, said the varied experience has prepared him for his latest position, that of Board Chair. "Over the last eight years, I've d...

Our city and our country are in crisis. But what we are living through today in the wake of the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and countless others is the result of not only centuries of racism but decades of collective failure to address its corrupting influence in the foundations of our society. As a nonprofit organization assisting ...

The Night Ministry is providing care packages for former residents of its Youth Housing Programs and other young people sheltering-in-place and struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic. The packages, featuring grocery staples such as pasta, meat, peanut butter and jelly, and nuts, are being delivered every week by Candace Musick, Y...

More residents of The Night Ministry's Open Door Shelter – West Town are taking advantage of mental health counseling offered by Rush University Medical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rush has been providing therapy as well as medication management at The Night Ministry's Youth Housing Programs for a few years now. Sarah Warner, Case Manager ...

M. has a place to shelter in place. But they don't feel safe there. "I'm staying with my mom. It's just not a good environment," they said. M., who is 20 years old, ran away a few years ago to get away from the conflict at home. They returned because being out on the streets was worse. They'd like to get their own place but faces several hurdles. "...

Millions of Americans are anticipating their federal government stimulus checks authorized by the CARES Act. Among those are young adults who are currently sheltering in place at The Crib, The Night Ministry's emergency shelter. Youth Outreach Team Case Manager, Michelle Thomas, is helping them sort out the situation. "There have been a lot of misc...

A letter from Paul W. Hamann, President & CEO of The Night Ministry April 14, 2020 Dear Friends,  "The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected." The above quote, attributed to Robert Frost, is one of my favorites. It is a quote about which I have been thinking a lot lately, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our communit...

How are the coronavirus and its impact on our economy and society affecting young people, adults, and families experiencing homelessness and poverty? What adjustments has The Night Ministry made so it can continue to serve during these challenging times? What can you do to help support our work and to help make sure the needs of Chicago's homeless ...

Despite the radical transformations to daily life brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are making tremendous progress at 1735 North Ashland, the future home of The Crib overnight shelter and our Health Outreach Program and home office. Construction is moving at a rapid pace, and we expect to be completed in the next few weeks! The photos below...