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:
- Test new models and programs for helping individuals and families get out of homelessness.
- 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
