It is time to end homelessness.

Do you believe we can end homelessness?

I do.

Homelessness is something I have thought about 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for decades.

I ran a large homeless shelter outside of Chicago most of my adult life.

Now I travel the world teaching about homelessness.

And I believe that we CAN end homelessness.

Our current approach isn’t working, though.

We need to think outside of the box and try different methods.

We need to INNOVATE more.

I am creating a new fund, the Homeless Innovation Fund, to innovate solutions for ending homelessness.

My wife, Krissie, and I believe so much in this work that we will match every dollar you donate (up to $10,000).

You can donate here: www.HesedHouse.org/Innovation (if the link doesn’t work, please type it into your browser).

More about the fund

The Homeless Innovation Fund will:

  1. Test new models and programs for helping individuals and families get out of homelessness.
  2. Study the effectiveness of those models/programs so organizations around the world can benefit from the lessons learned.

Hesed House (outside of Chicago) will be partnering with us as a laboratory for testing new and innovative methods.

I was Executive Director of Hesed House for most of my career. I still work there, but in a more advisory role.

We are super excited to get things going and see which programs have the most impact. If you’re interested, you can donate here: www.HesedHouse.org/Innovation.

About Hesed House

Hesed House is the second largest homeless shelter in Illinois, but it is more than just a homeless shelter.

It is a “comprehensive homeless resource center” offering everything a person needs to get back on their feet again, including:

  • Mental health counseling
  • Substance abuse counseling
  • Medical clinic
  • Legal clinic
  • Employment services
  • Veteran’s services
  • Children’s services

In its 40-year history, Hesed House has been at the forefront of homelessness:

  • In the 1980’s it pioneered the “rotating church” model of homeless shelters, helping to launch “PADS” programs around the country.
  • In the 1990’s it started one of the country’s first transitional housing programs.
  • In the 2000’s it established the first comprehensive homeless resource center model.
  • In the 2010’s it birthed one of the first “medical-legal” partnerships where onsite lawyers and doctors work closely together.
  • In the 2020’s it will create even more exciting ways to help people get out of homelessness through the Homeless Innovation Fund.

You can donate here: www.HesedHouse.org/Innovation (if the link doesn’t work, please type it into your browser).

Thank you—in advance—for helping to find an end to homelessness!

Empathy is the answer,

Ryan

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