Homeless in Chicago
Homeless living in Chicago is at an all-time high and those who suffer from becoming more creative with finding shelter. Unfortunately, many of those who own the spaces in which they set up camp have started to push them out.
They force them from places such as underpasses downtown or empty spaces at airports and in numbers with no place to go. Although the weather is getting warmer and they don’t have to worry about freezing. Chicago is notorious for being scorchingly hot in its summer months. Extreme temperatures warrant the necessity for items that are typically deemed as home “essentials.” For those without a home, they are almost impossible to obtain or maintain safely.
Luckily, there is an organization that actively has been making progress to provide them with their necessities and more. This organization provides hope for the homeless.
The CTA
The CTA has been a staple in the homeless community for as on as many Chicagoans can remember. It isn’t where the majority of the unhoused community resides, though it is undoubtedly used as a spot to nap or simply a place to relax.
They are subject to a lot of judgment and often by those who don’t care to ask how they got into that position. Many of the homeless riders on CTA trains and buses suffer from some form of mental illness or addiction. In Chicago, there is a lack of resources available on a large scale for those who suffer from these issues.
Medical care is limited in the first place for physical ailments, much less for illnesses that are not necessarily visible to the eye. Even less so for those who are homeless. Untreated mental illnesses cause about 14.3% of worldwide deaths, according to the National Institute of Medicine. In addition to that, drug-related overdoses specifically increased by 58% since 2019.
Travelers and those native to the city avoid homeless people in public spaces and on public transportation, and despite the stigma, they are not all aggressive or intrusive. All they need is help and support. That’s where the Night Ministry (and similar organizations) come in.
The Night Ministry
The Night Ministry is an organization that seeks to provide human connection, housing support, healthcare, food, and other necessities to the homeless.
Some of their core values are:
- Collaboration and teamwork.
- Compassion.
- Respect.
- Accountability.
Recently they were at CTA’s Red and Blue Line train stations at night. They set up rows of tables and chairs and set pans of warm food on them. In addition to the food, they had clothes and items whose demand increased during COVID-19, such as face masks and hand sanitizers.
The organization was founded in 1976 by a few church congregations headed by Rev. Tom Behrens. Throughout the early 80s, they connected with youth across the city and became aware of an overwhelming problem.
In spite of their progress, the problem was much larger than expected, so he began to recruit volunteers and hire staff. Together, they were able to purchase a mobile home homeless outreach program. In 1992, the organization was able to open a youth shelter. Over the next 10 years, the organization grew to include STD testing, housing placement, and health outreaches, and in 2020, opened a new Bucktown headquarters.
Most recently, in 2022, they started a long-term housing program for young adults who are homeless. It also includes supportive services in order to maintain their living with up to two years of rental assistance.
More Can Be Done
Albeit the Night Ministry is doing great work to make an impact on the homeless issue in Chicago, they unquestionably aren’t doing it all on their own. There are people who are making an impact and organizations similar to this one.
People, as individuals, can do small things to help them change their circumstances. In reality, or in this case or in a similar fashion, the smallest act of service has such a large impact.
Need Help?
Because we understand everyone isn’t okay, here are a few places that may be able to help take the stress off:
- Youth Shelters (LGBTQ+ friendly).
- Family and Adult Housing.
- Food Pantries.
- Clinics.
- Drug Overdose and Detox Help.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from any mental illness and may need to talk, you can call:
- Nami Chicago – 833-NAMI-CHI (626-4244) or call 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline
By Nichale Mann
Sources:
WBEZ Chicago: ‘The CTA is their last resort’: A night out with the people helping homeless riders
The Night Ministry: About The Night Ministry
National Institute of Medicine: Mortality in Mental Disorders and Global Disease Burden Implications
National Safety Council: Drug Overdoses
Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Drug Overdose Mortality by State
Featured Image Courtesy of Chris Yarzab’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Alan Light’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
