Covenant House Illinois

SAVE THE DATE!

On July 16, CHIL will join organizations across the state for Hope for Homes Day, a statewide giving movement dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Illinois.

Led by housing and homelessness organizations throughout the state, Hope for Homes Day brings communities together to raise critical funds and awareness for individuals and families experiencing housing instability. Last year, participating nonprofits raised more than $220,000 from over 900 donors, and this year’s movement is expected to grow even larger.

By supporting CHIL on Hope for Homes Day, you’ll help provide young people experiencing homelessness with safe shelter, supportive services, education and employment support, mental health resources, and pathways toward long-term stability and independence.

More details are coming soon. We hope you’ll join us on July 16 as we work together to ensure every young person has a safe place to call home!

A huge thank you to Accenture for spending time with us and packing 250 resource kits for young people who come through our doors.

These kits provide essential items and a reminder to youth experiencing homelessness that their community cares about them. We’re deeply grateful for partners like Accenture who continue to show up for our young people in meaningful ways.

This week, CHIL CEO Susan Reyna-Guerrero joined leaders from across the state for the release of a new Illinois report examining homelessness in the Latine community.

The report calls attention to the systemic challenges impacting Latine individuals and families experiencing housing instability and underscores the need for solutions rooted in equity, access, and community partnership.

We’re grateful to the Illinois Department of Human Services and everyone involved in advancing this important conversation and helping build a future where every young person has a safe place to call home.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

To any young person who may be struggling right now:

You deserve support, stability, and the space to heal. What you are carrying matters, and you should not have to carry it alone.

If you or someone you know needs support, our doors are open.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and for young people experiencing homelessness, mental health care is not optional. It is essential.

Many of the youth we serve are navigating trauma, instability, and uncertainty, often without consistent access to support. Mental health resources can be the difference between surviving and moving forward with stability and hope.

You can help by showing up in meaningful ways. Start conversations, reduce stigma, support organizations providing care, and advocate for accessible mental health services for all young people.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we're proud to highlight Cassie Nordgren, a dedicated volunteer whose passion for the arts and service has made a meaningful impact on CHIL ⭐

Cassie first connected with Covenant House through Broadway Serves in New York City, where she saw firsthand how creativity can be a powerful tool for connection. After moving to Chicago, she saw the opportunity to bring that work here, and took the initiative to start Broadway Serves locally, creating new opportunities for young people to engage with the arts.

Since then, Cassie has become a familiar presence at CHIL. From face painting at our Halloween party to leading dance and movement sessions with our youth (and staff!), she creates spaces where young people can express themselves and have fun.

“I am always inspired by the Covenant House community—their conviction, resilience, and radical joy,” said Cassie. “Witnessing the ways they care for one another and express themselves so fully is what keeps me coming back.”

Cassie's energy and creativity embody the spirit of volunteerism. We're grateful for the way she continues to show up for our youth and look forward to all the great things we will accomplish with her leadership!

Take Action Today 🚨

No one should be punished for experiencing homelessness. Yet right now, Illinois municipalities are passing ordinances that allow people to be fined or arrested simply for sleeping outside, even when there are no safe alternatives.

HB 1429 is Illinois’ response to the Supreme Court’s Grants Pass v. Johnson decision, and it’s a critical step toward protecting our neighbors from criminalization.

The bill is just ONE step away from moving forward. A Housing Committee hearing is happening NOW, and we need your voice.

Submit a witness slip TODAY as a PROPONENT of “HFA 3” to help move this bill forward.

How to help:
1. Visit https://ow.ly/3A7Z50YJYkk
2. Use “Self” for Firm/Business (if not representing an organization), “NA” for Title, and leave Representation blank
3. Select “HFA 3” and choose “Proponent”
4. Choose “Record of Appearance Only”
5. Agree to the terms and click “Submit Witness Slip”

Local policies that criminalize homelessness only make it harder for people to find housing and jobs. Illinois ranks second in the nation for these harmful ordinances. We must do better.

Take action now. Your voice matters.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we’re grateful for every person who shows up for our youth.

If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, now is a great time. We’re especially looking for mentors, but there are many ways to support.

Interested? Reach out to Lisa at [email protected] to learn more.

We are so proud to see our Lead Cook, Ariana Carrera, recognized by Covenant House International.

Most days, Ariana is behind the scenes preparing meals for the young people we serve. But her impact goes far beyond the kitchen. She shows up with dedication and care for our youth AND staff!

Thank you, Ariana, for the you bring to CHIL every single day. 💛

When youth come to our doors, food is always one of the first things we offer them. But like Chef Ariana says, the food does so much more than just relieve their hunger. It lets them know they're in a place they will be cared for, loved, and supported, no matter what.