Understanding the root causes and solutions to homelessness is complicated, which is why I was so grateful to be asked by Illinois Public Media to speak with Niala Boodhoo on The 21st, a statewide radio show, about the services Connections is providing, the challenges we face, and the need for affordable housing. You can click here to listen to the segment.

When Marsha came to us, she was already homeless. She and her two children were bouncing between friends, family, shelters, and on bad nights… her car. Despite the challenges, Marsha was maintaining a job. But her income wasn’t enough for her to get an apartment in an area that would keep her kids in their school. With Connections’ support, Marsha moved into an apartment and access employment, education, childcare, and transportation services to begin to stabilize and strengthen her family.

​We were thrilled to recently expand our housing program, adding 5 more units of supportive housing to help more families like Marsha’s move quickly from homelessness to housing. These additional units of housing provide short-term rent assistance, coupled with robust services, to prepare all members of the family for a strong, stable and secure future.

SAYING GOODBYE TO LISA TODD
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It was standing room only as the community gathered on Thursday, May 16 to share memories of working with Lisa Todd, Connections’ Volunteer Coordinator, and to wish her well as she begins a new adventure in Minneapolis. For 9 years, Lisa developed and led Connections’ volunteer program – growing it to more than 1,300 individuals annually.

Stephanie joined our team of volunteers managing the front desk reception at our administrative offices at the time when was a role in transition and one that we were trying to staff completely with volunteers.

What we immediately saw in Stephanie was an ability to get things done, stay organized in the midst of an evolving system, and propose solutions for improvement. She has stayed with us through lots of change, helping strengthen our services to participants and our community.