Connections’ Newsroom
The Latest from Connections
Evanston’s first overnight shelter enters a new era after more than 40 years
Connections for the Homeless is bringing overnight shelter back to Hilda’s Place, renewing a more than 40-year commitment to providing a safe place for people experiencing homelessness to rest and reset.
Housed in Lake Street Church, Hilda’s Place will reopen in spring 2027 with 30 overnight shelter beds and the capacity to serve people of all genders and family configurations. The $6.7 million renovation will transform the space and feature 11 new bathrooms, showers, and laundry facilities, in addition to a new elevator and kitchen, making the shelter more accessible and welcoming to unhoused neighbors.
Many firsts for Connections’ state advocacy work
This year was filled with important firsts for Connections' state advocacy work. With Chris Martin joining our team as our first Director of Public Policy, we expanded our presence in Springfield and originated our first-ever bill HB 5394, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Olickal.
HB 5394 would remove credit barriers for housing voucher holders and others receiving housing subsidies. While the bill did not pass this session, it successfully advanced through the Illinois Immigration and Human Rights Committee and helped elevate conversations around the barriers that exist for people to access safe, stable housing.
Connections in the News
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MARCH
Evanston RoundTable: Connections fundraiser luncheon celebrates, educates
Evanston Now: Evanston organizations prepare to support residents losing SNAP benefits
MAY
JULY
AUGUST
Evanston Roundtable: Connections for the Homeless begins $6.7 million renovation to restore Hilda’s Place shelter
Evanston Now: Ground broken for Hilda's Place renovations
Daily Northwestern: Connections for the Homeless breaks ground on Hilda’s Place
Chicago Tribune: Evanston church to reopen homeless shelter closed since COVID
SEPTEMBER
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JANUARY
Evanston Roundtable: Connections for the Homeless backers rally for Envision Evanston
Connections hit by Trump's order to freeze federal funds - Evanston RoundTable
MARCH
Evanston Roundtable: Changing zoning and adding housing encouraged by expert at Connections fundraiser
Evanston Now: Connections advocates zoning reform
JULY
AUGUST
A short story. Or rather, a story about shorts. - Evanston Now
Connections hosts underwear drive for National Underwear Day - Evanston RoundTable
SEPTEMBER
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JANUARY
Chicago Tribune: Evanston’s Connections for the Homeless purchases Margarita Inn after nearly four years of operation
Evanston Roundtable: Margarita Inn launches pilot program to provide ‘medical respite’ to shelter residents
FEBRUARY
WGN: Former boutique hotel in Evanston to provide shelter for unhoused people
The Daily Northwestern: Connections for the Homeless celebrates purchase of Margarita Inn in open house
Fox News: Former Evanston boutique hotel to serve as temporary homeless shelter
Evanston Roundtable: Margarita Inn opens doors to residents and public officials to celebrate building purchase
WTTW: Cook County Funds Purchase of Two Hotels in Effort to Provide Stable Housing, Necessary Supports
JUNE
SEPTEMBER
Evanston Roundtable: The beginnings of a homeless shelter in Evanston
Evanston Roundtable: Connections for the Homeless honors Blue Line victims in memorial service
Chicago Sun-Times: Evanston shelter mourns Blue Line victims, reaffirms its mission
Chicago Tribune: Homeless support organization holds memorial for Blue Line shooting victims: ‘It never really occurred to us that this would happen’
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FEBRUARY
Evanston RoundTable: Biss, homeless group leader sign Margarita Inn agreement
Evanston Roundtable: Letter to the editor: Why I support the Margarita Inn
Evanston Roundtable: Court delays Margarita Inn permit
MARCH
Evanston Now: Another delay for Margarita decision
APRIL
Evanston Roundtable: Open letter to the mayor, city council and LUC: We support Connections’ application for a Special Use Permit
MAY
Evanston Roundtable: Margarita Inn shelter application returns to City Council agenda
Evanston Roundtable: Margarita Inn homeless shelter plan advances
Evanston Roundtable: ‘It’s a mess’: City housing experts say zoning code, comprehensive plan need updates
Press Release: Three Years of Shelter Transformation in Cook County
Evanston Roundtable: Connections receives $2 million to renovate, reopen Hilda’s Place shelter
Evanston Now: Homeless dilemma hits home
98XRT:Congresswoman instrumental in securing much needed funding for Evanston homeless shelter
OCTOBER
Chicago Tribune: Cook County approves funds to help nonprofit purchase Evanston hotel The Margarita Inn
NOVEMBER
The Daily Northwestern: Connections for the Homeless’ annual winter gear distribution helps individuals gear up for the cold
DECEMBER
Evanston Roundtable: Connections for the Homeless completes purchase of Margarita Inn
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MARCH
Evanston RoundTable: From hotel to homeless shelter: A peek into the Margarita Inn
Evanston Now: City: Hotel at Margarita not permitted
Evanston RoundTable: Nonprofit to pursue permit needed
Evanston Patch: Connections for the Homeless Needs New Permit For Margarita Inn
Evanston RoundTable: Emotional meeting about homeless housing at Margarita Inn draws hundreds
Evanston Patch: Evanston Patch: Connections for the Homeless Looks to Buy the Margarita Inn
MAY
The Daily Northwestern: In Focus: As Connections for the Homeless looks to purchase the Margarita Inn, residents remain divided on the buildings future
JULY
Evanston RoundTable: Block Party, a 'thank you' to the Fifth Ward, was a big hit
NOVEMBER
Evanston RoundTable: What the Margarita Inn means to the residents who live there
DECEMBER
Evanston Now: LUC backs Margarita Inn special use
Evanston RoundTable: Land Use Commission recommends Margarita Inn’s ‘special use’ status
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JANUARY
Chicago Tribune: As need for shelter explodes during pandemic, Evanston-based agency receives $80k from public, private sectors to feed households
Evanston Now: Funding target reached in homeless assistance program
Evanston Patch: Local Chefs Feed Formerly Homeless Through New Program
The Daily Northwestern: Council approves grant for rent assistance program
Evanston Now: Housing homeless during pandemic to cost $7.3 million
MARCH
Community Solutions Blog: Cook County leans into a client-centered approach to make strides throughout the Covid crisis
Evanston RoundTable: Interdependence: Restaurants, Customers and Community Rally for Each Other
WTTW News: For Advocates Serving Homeless, Outreach Efforts Can't Wait for Virus to Go Away
APRIL
Evanston RoundTable: Joining Forces Opposes the 'Three-Unrelated' Ordinance
Evanston RoundTable: Pandemic Silver Lining: Ending Homelessness in Evanston
The Daily Northwestern: Stimulus checks prove inaccessible for people experiencing homelessness
Chicago Tribune: Surprising Silver Lining: In fight against homelessness, hotel settings could be a game-changing model
MAY
The Daily Northwestern: Connections for the Homeless honors participants, volunteers and staff
JULY
Evanston Now: Expert: Pandemic’s housing impact could last two more years
WTTW: Advocates Call for More Resources for Homelessness as Eviction Ban Ends
OCTOBER
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MARCH
Chicago Tribune: Homeless shelters brace for coronavirus outbreak amid closures, larger prevention efforts
Evanston Patch: Community Groups Collaborate To House Homeless Amid Coronavirus
The Daily Northwestern: “This virus isn’t going to go away” — Evanston organizations rush to assist the city’s vulnerable homeless population
APRIL
The Chicago Tribune: Evanston hotels are being used to house homeless during coronavirus pandemic
Evanston Patch: Hotels Shelter Homeless During Coronavirus Stay-At-Home Order
MAY
Chicago Tribune: During the Pandemic, Swanky Gold Coast Hotel Becomes a Safe Haven for People Living on the Street and Other Living at Risk
Evanston Now: City Council to vote on aiding homeless
AUGUST
Evanston Now: Gridlock in D.C. Means more homelessness in Evanston
OCTOBER
The Daily Northwestern: Community leader help people experiencing homelessness vote
NOVEMBER
The Daily Northwestern: In Focus: In an industry ravaged by COVID-19, Evanston
The Daily Northwestern: Businesses go cashless, but risk alienating low-income individuals
The Daily Northwestern: Despite city, community response, eviction threat persist
DECEMBER
Press Releases
For press inquiries, contact Becky Vlamis, Director of Communications, at bvlamis@connect2home.org.
