Bring Someone in from the Cold this Holiday

As 2023 comes to a close, you may remember warm, happy times with family or traveling to visit relatives. You may be looking forward to a hearty meal of mouth-watering foods. But for many low-income residents in the South Suburbs, these memories seem like a distant dream.

For Steve, one of our stellar case managers, being homeless around the holidays was a harsh reality back in the mid-2000s. Formerly a successful contractor, Steve became disabled on the job and lost everything. He couldn’t work. He went through many painful surgeries. His utilities were turned off one by one. And finally, he ended up losing his beloved home and was forced to rely on the kindness of friends.

Too proud to rely on anyone for long, Steve ended up sleeping in the Hazel Crest metro station under one of the heat lamps, pressing the button each time it grew too cold.

This way of life wasn’t sustainable. Steve had to get out of this situation. Fortunately, he discovered South Suburban PADS and he was able to get the help he needed to get off the street, back on his feet, and into housing through the WISH program.

It hasn’t been an easy road but Steve has maintained his housing and secured full-time employment at SSPADS. Through his work, Steve now helps others to access shelter or find alternative housing opportunities. “PADS has never let me down,” Steve says. “They always welcomed me back with open arms whenever I needed it.” Though Steve was helped right away, many folks are still waiting to be placed in shelter or permanent housing.

For those who have supported before, thank you! Whether you helped out yesterday, on a regular basis, or decades ago, we appreciate your support. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for volunteering your time and energy, donating food and clothes, and/or making monetary gifts that help us fulfill our mission to provide emergency shelter, affordable homes, and supportive services that enable people to overcome homelessness and find pathways home. Your gift today will enable us to continue this mission.

To continue to support those in our community like Steve or to support SSPADS for the first time, please donate this holiday season.

Every dollar you contribute will support bringing someone in from the cold this winter.