BEDS Plus

10/22/2026

What a feat! 👟 Thank you to the LT Cross Country teams for going the extra mile for our neighbors! More than 600 sandwiches, gift cards and shelf-stable food will help keep our community cared for. 💙

10/16/2026

10/15/2026

Something good is brewing! 🧙‍♀️🍸 Thank you to Larissa & Emma for returning as guest bartenders for BEDS Plus, and to fourteensixteen for hosting!

Join us Wednesday, October 28, from 6–8 PM for a witch’s brew, a little magic and a fun evening supporting neighbors facing homelessness. ✨

🔮The witches are back!🧙‍♀️Larissa & Emma are bartending for BEDS Plus

📢 SAVE THE DATE!!!
Wed, OCT 28 (6-8PM)
fourteensixteen

Enjoy our witch's brew🍸...+ some magic! 🎩✨️ All for a great cause. See you Wed 10/28!

10/09/2026

BEDS Plus CEO Tina Rounds joined Congressman Sean Casten for a housing affordability roundtable alongside DuPage Pads, CEDA, Bridge Communities, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity, Illinois Realtors, and representatives from local townships.

The discussion focused on how rising living costs and changes at the federal level are affecting organizations working to meet the high demand for affordable housing in Illinois’ 6th Congressional District.

Thank you to Congressman Casten for bringing us together and listening to the challenges facing the people we serve.

10/08/2026

October 8 is DAF Day, a national day of giving through donor-advised funds.

At BEDS Plus, we’re seeing how rising costs and changes to food assistance are affecting families who are working hard to make ends meet. Our staff are helping families find food, prevent housing loss and secure a safe place to stay. Private gifts keep that work going.

A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is an account for charitable giving. If you have one, you can recommend a gift to BEDS Plus from your fund.

An anonymous donor will match new or increased gifts, up to $25,000 total.

To give, visit https://www.gofundme.com/charity/beds-inc-beds-plus-care-inc, select DAF funding, then find your fund provider and follow the prompts. At checkout, you can change the optional platform tip to $0 or any amount you choose.

Help keep the safety net strong.

10/07/2026

In the News: Housing Costs and Growing Needs

Homelessness in Illinois decreased by 6% from 2025 to 2026, but chronic homelessness rose by 28%. Affordable housing is key, yet rents increased by 27% and home prices by 54% between 2019 and 2024. These costs are especially difficult for people with limited incomes, including seniors on fixed incomes.

Changes to SNAP and Medicaid could stretch already tight budgets even further, making it harder to meet basic needs and keep housing.

At BEDS Plus, we’re already seeing increased need, and we’re here to meet the challenge. Our staff, partners and supporters are helping people stay housed, find housing and access food, health care and benefits. As more people turn to us, we’re preparing to meet growing needs and keep the safety net strong.

Read the complete article and findings:
https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2026/10/04/five-years-in-what-the-home-illinois-plan-reveals-about-the-state-of-homelessness/

Help support the safety net by donating to BEDS Plus: https://support.beds-plus.org/campaign/818131/donate

10/05/2026

Sometimes it starts with a paintbrush. 🎨

For World Teachers’ Day, a shoutout to Assistant Professor Peggy Grill and five students from Elmhurst University’s Master of Occupational Therapy program who have been working with us at Medical Respite!

They’re helping staff lead group activities that encourage participants to connect, create and spend time together. Social participation is an important part of occupational therapy and can help improve quality of life.

As members of the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association, Peggy and the students submitted a proposal to share what they’ve learned during their time at BEDS Plus. It was accepted! They’ll present a short course about this experience and the meaningful role occupational therapists can play in working with people who are unhoused.

Thank you, Peggy and students, for sharing your skills with our team and Medial Respite clients.

10/02/2026

Please join us in welcoming Carl Wolf as BEDS Plus’ new Chief Advancement Officer!
Carl comes to BEDS from Respond Now, where he served as Executive Director.
He brings years of nonprofit leadership and strong ties to communities across South Suburban Cook County.
As BEDS continues to grow, Carl will help us build the partnerships and support needed to reach more people facing housing instability. We’re glad to have him on the team.
Welcome, Carl!

10/01/2026

On September 14, Javon Harris, BEDS Plus’ Director of Transitional Housing, joined the Movers & Shakers panel on domestic and sexual abuse. Thank you to the Lyons Township Mental Health Commission for bringing agencies together to share perspectives and discuss how we can better support survivors.

As we mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, we continue working with our partners to connect survivors with safety, housing and ongoing support. Forums like this help us learn from one another and strengthen that work.

09/29/2026

Housing is part of the conversation about healthier communities. BEDS Plus’ new Chief Advancement Officer, Carl Wolf, will join the housing and community development panel at the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce’s Healthy Communities, Strong Businesses conference.
Join us Friday, October 23, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills.
Event details and registration:https://business.chicagosouthlandchamber.com/calendar/Details/cscc-healthy-communities-strong-businesses-a-chicago-southland-conference-1702178?sourceTypeId=Hub