Connections’ Newsroom
The Latest from Connections
Changes to SNAP begin on May 1: check
your eligibility
Connections in the News
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March
Evanston RoundTable: Connections fundraiser luncheon celebrates, educates
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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
Connections for the Homeless hosts community block party - Evanston RoundTable
AUGUST
A short story. Or rather, a story about shorts. - Evanston Now
Connections hosts underwear drive for National Underwear Day - Evanston RoundTable
SEPTEMBER
Connections details timing, issues at Envision info meeting - Evanston RoundTable
Evanston Roundtable: Connections for the Homeless distributes coats for the winter - Evanston RoundTable
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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
Evanston Roundtable:Margarita Inn council reports quiet Q1 as shelter preps for repairs
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
Chicago: Donate Your Time and Money to These 10 Chicago Nonprofits
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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
Chicago Tribune: Evanston approves new 16-story apartment building downtown with 34 units of affordable housing
Evanston E-News: Community Spotlight: Connections for the Homeless in City of Evanston
For press inquiries, contact Becky Vlamis, Director of Communications, at bvlamis@connect2home.org.
TAKE ACTION BY MAY 1ST! If you are using SNAP or have a Link card, the rules have changed. Make sure your information is up to date and confirm that you are meeting new requirements.
Follow the steps at saveoursnap.org.
Need help with your case or having issues contacting IDHS? Call the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s Benefits Specialists at 773-247-3663 or visit their website for a list of food pantries and other resources.
If you need food assistance and are in the Evanston area, Connections has two food pantries open five days a week.
Evanston City Council passed Housing4All (H4A) last week, enshrining the city’s commitments to make housing affordable at all income levels. The city’s first-ever strategic housing plan, H4A establishes goals and priorities for the city’s housing policies and funding over the next decade. Despite efforts to weaken the plan, the final version promises to build more housing, support renters, and reduce displacement of Evanston’s Black and brown communities.
