For Immediate Release: September 28, 2023
Contacts: John Harris, Convener, Oak Park Homelessness Coalition
jharris@a5inc.com, 708.227.5313
Lynda Schueler, Executive Director, Housing Forward
lschueler@housingforward.org, 708.338.1724 x223
Robert Simmons, Director of Social Services and Public Safety,
Oak Park Public Library
rsimmons@oppl.org, 708.697.6910
Oak Park, IL— The Oak Park Homelessness Coalition has been awarded a $10,000 general operating grant from the Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness (CFTEH). CFTEH is a collaborative of more than 30 philanthropic partners learning together and aligning resources around a shared strategy to prevent and end homelessness.
The Oak Park Homelessness Coalition (OPHC) plans to use the unrestricted grant money to support street outreach services, which are a first step to help get people to stable housing.
OPHC is made up of 50-plus local businesses, individuals, government and service agencies working together to make homelessness in Oak Park rare, brief and one time. Core team members of the coalition include Housing Forward CEO Lynda Schueler and Oak Park Public Library Director of Social Services and Safety Robert Simmons.
“Collaborative effort and leadership resulted in the Coalition receiving this grant,” says Oak Park Public Library Director of Social Services and Safety Robert Simmons, who works closely with community partners in the Coalition to address homelessness at the library and in the community. “By awarding this grant, the Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness is recognizing the collective efforts among key community stakeholders to break down silos and address chronic homelessness.”
The unrestricted funds have been earmarked for planning and implementation of an enhanced street outreach effort that connects individuals experiencing homelessness with resources in the community, including Housing Forward, Live4Lali and other entities. A strong street outreach program is the first step to getting individuals the help they need to be stably housed. The Coalition, with its partners, is also working toward securing affordable housing units in the community.
“Our Street Outreach team is a critical component for those who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness to find immediate alternatives to living on the street,” says Lynda Schueler, CEO of Housing Forward. “We are delighted that Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness is supporting OPHC’s strategic work, which will result in helping neighbors end their housing
crisis.”
“Thanks to CFTEH, the Coalition is able to continue to build upon its street outreach efforts, which educate the community about homelessness and panhandling and helps coordinate resources for those in need,” says John Harris, Convener of the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition.
About the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition
The Oak Park Homelessness Coalition is comprised of 50-plus local businesses, individuals, government and service agencies working together to make homelessness in Oak Park rare, brief and one time. Learn more at https://www.endhomelessnessoakpark.com.
About Housing Forward
Housing Forward, serving the geographic area of West suburban Cook County, believes housing is a basic human right. Housing Forward’s services transition people from housing crisis to a permanent and stable home in their community. Through impactful services and strategic partnerships, the organization finds innovative, systemic solutions to end homelessness. Their strength is in their determination to end homelessness and our proven record doing so—one individual at a time. Learn more at https://www.housingforward.org.
About the Oak Park Public Library
The Oak Park Public Library exists to empower every voice in the community, and share the information, services, and opportunities that fulfill Oak Park’s aspirations. The library’s Social Services & Public Safety Team helps people find local resources for mental health, housing, employment, health care, immigration, and domestic violence. Learn more at https://www.oppl.org/use-your-library/social-services.
About Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness
Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness (CFTEH) is a collaborative of more than 30 philanthropic partners learning together and aligning resources around a shared strategy to prevent and end homelessness. Collectively, CFTEH members invest nearly $30 million annually to prevent and end homelessness while pooling additional resources to support advocacy, organizing, and narrative change efforts through the Housing Justice Fund. CFTEH is locally focused and nationally connected as a network of Funders Together to End Homelessness. CFTEH has been incubated by Michael Reese Health Trust since 2020.
