West Suburban PADS Raises $210,000 for Next Steps Capital Initiative
West Suburban PADS announced today that it has raised over 70% of the budget for the Next Steps Capital Initiative, a campaign to raise $300,000 for the renovation of their 2,800 square foot ground floor in order to expand the services provided through and space dedicated to their daytime Support Center, a year-round, multi-service resource center that addresses the income, health, employment, and housing needs of the homeless in our community. The public appeal for support began this month.
The funds raised for the campaign come from a wide variety of sources -- foundations, congregations, corporations, vendors and individuals. In addition, PADS has raised a third of the project budget from in-kind donations including: pro bono architectural and engineering services from Perkins+Will through the 1% Public Architecture program; donated labor and supplies from HomeAid Chicago, the charitable arm of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago; plumbing supplies from Crawford Supply Co., Itasca, Illinois; and a volunteer Project Manager.
HomeAid Chicago is proud to be partner in the expansion of this important resource for the homeless”, said Natalie Ashton, Executive Director of HomeAid Chicago.
The expansion and reconfiguration of the Support Center will allow us to serve our clients better”, said Executive Director Lynda Schueler. “The new space will include a client computer lab for internet job and apartment searches; a large common area for Life Skills classes; a client laundry room; and additional shower stalls and toilets so we can accommodate more than one client at time. In addition, our main entrance will be relocated and include a handicapped accessible ramp”.
The Support Center is West Suburban PADS’ second largest program after the Emergency Shelter, serving nearly 400 individuals a year. In 2007, with assistance from Support Center case managers, 112 homeless individuals found housing and 65 secured new income, a prerequisite for affording market-rate housing. In addition, 172 homeless individuals received medical care, mental health services and/or substance abuse counseling and treatment, the first step in achieving the stability necessary for independent living.
West Suburban PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) was created in 1992 to provide emergency food and shelter to homeless individuals and families in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park. Today, PADS serves 20 towns in near west suburban Cook County and offers a wide range of services that address the physical, medical, mental health, financial, and housing needs of the homeless in our community through four program areas: seasonal Emergency Shelter; a year-round daytime Support Center; Supportive Housing including Transitional Housing for the employed homeless and Permanent Supportive Housing for the homeless mentally ill; and Homeless Prevention assistance for those at imminent risk of homelessness due to eviction or foreclosure.