The Next Chapter
The Night Ministry is moving key portions of its operations to better serve Chicago’s homeless population.
The move to a new facility in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood will enhance the quality and improve the efficiency of the services we provide every year to thousands of our city’s must vulnerable residents while supporting ongoing innovation in our programs.
1735 North Ashland will be the new home for The Crib, our overnight shelter for young adults, as well as our Health Outreach Bus program and central administration. Our target move-in date is spring 2020.
Tour The Night Ministry's New Headquarters
A New Home for The Crib
The Crib provides safe, supportive shelter for young adults ages 18 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness. The program will relocate from its currently facility in Lakeview to 1735 North Ashland.
Currently
• Dining, sleeping, and activities take place in one 900-square-foot basement room• Guests sleep on mats on the floor
• Limited shower and bathroom facilities
At 1735 North Ashland
• Quiet dorm room with beds• Dedicated dining room
• Large multi-purpose space
• Multiple private bathrooms and showers
• Youth Outreach Team on site to provide case management and other support
A New Home for the Health Outreach Bus
The Night Ministry’s Health Outreach Bus brings free health care, food, clothing, and supportive services directly to seven underserved Chicago neighborhoods six days a week. The Night Ministry’s Outreach & Health Ministry staff will relocate from 4711 North Ravenswood Avenue to 1735 North Ashland.
Currently
• Bus stored overnight more than 3 miles away from Health Outreach staff• No dedicated loading and unloading space
At 1735 North Ashland
• Overnight parking for the Bus and other Outreach & Health Ministry vehicles• Dedicated loading dock
• Strategically located near donation and supply storage
• Enhanced storage for medicine and medical supplies
A New Home for Central Administration
The Night Ministry’s headquarters will move from 4711 North Ravenswood to 1735 North Ashland to accommodate increased operations which are critical to supporting innovation and growth in our programs.
Currently
• Staff size and operating budget have doubled since moving into current building in 2002• Meeting and training spaces also function as as sorting and storage areas for in-kind donations
At 1735 North Ashland
• More square footage for present and future staffing and operational needs• Expanded storage area for in-kind donations such as clothing, hygiene kits, and sack suppers
• Increased space for holding volunteer trainings, staff gatherings, board meetings, community events, and more
Timing of the Move
Renovations are currently underway at 1735 North Ashland, and we plan to move in during the spring of 2020. The Crib and the Outreach & Health Ministry’s programs, including the Health Outreach Bus, will continue to operate throughout the transition.
In the meantime, as our lease at 4711 North Ravenswood expires on December 31, 2019, beginning in November, we are transitioning our Health Outreach staff and Central Administration out of our headquarters in Ravenswood and into a temporary home at Edgewater Presbyterian Church. Please note the following during this transition period:
- Our mailing address will remain 4711 North Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640. Please send any mail correspondence, including financial donations made by mail, to this address.
- In-kind donations should be brought to 4711 North Ravenswood through Friday, December 13 (Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm).*
- Beginning Monday, December 16, please bring in-kind donations to Edgewater Presbyterian Church, 1020 West Bryn Mawr Avenue in Chicago, between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
- Our main phone number will remain the same: 773-784-9000. Phone numbers for staff members will also remain the same.
- Health Outreach Bus volunteers, our Volunteering, Community, and Congregational Relations Department will contact you with information about meeting the Bus during your volunteer shifts.
- The Crib will remain in operation at its current location until the Bucktown facility is ready for occupation.
Our transition has been designed to have minimal impact on those whom we serve. The Health Outreach Bus, Street Medicine Program, and our Youth Housing Programs will continue to run as usual.
Further questions may be directed to Gail Bernoff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-506-6015.
*There will be special drop-off date at 4711 North Ravenswood on Saturday, December 14, between 9 am and 3 pm.
