Updates from Ministry to the unhoused

The Epworth men's overnight shelter has been cleared to move into 5230 N Lincoln (perhaps you remember the old Diplomat Motel?). This new building represents a significant resource package, including enhanced privacy and individual space, as well as improved shower and bathroom facilities and better accessibility for folks with mobility concerns.

At the current time, the move date is planned for some time in June - this date may change.

Gompers and Legion Park Tent Sweeps

As Uptown and other lakeside neighborhoods continue to develop, tent communities are finding new places to stay. Over the course of the last few years, more and more tent communities have established themselves at Gompers, Eugene Field, and Legion Park.

On March 17, the city initiated a tent sweep in Legion Park. As you can see in the Block Club photographs, this was all done on voting day while there was still snow on the ground.

I [Tony] have been spending time meeting folks from different aid groups, the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness, and Pastor Stef at Mayfair Presbyterian Church. Mayfair Pres. is beginning to host community events (read: FUN STUFF) with tent residents, and they are finding creative ways to provide enhanced shower and laundry services to residents as they continue to wait for housing assistance from the city.

This appears to be a situation in which the local Alderperson has fairly definitively refused assistance to tent residents. As residents in both bungalows and tents move into springtime, I am praying for a deeper sense of human-to-human contact and opportunities to affirm human dignity.

If you know how to tile a shower, or you'd like to party with an impact driver... get ahold of me!