From Frigid Streets to a Warm Home: Our New Homeless Shelter for Men is Now Open

After more than two years of planning, construction, and collaboration, we’re proud to announce that our new shelter is officially open! This facility addresses a critical need: while nearly 68% of individuals experiencing homelessness are men, only 22% of the city’s shelter beds previously served single men. The shelter will provide meals, health care, and essential services to 70 men daily—offering warmth, stability, and a pathway to permanent housing.

Today, we celebrated this milestone with a ribbon cutting alongside our partners. Alderwoman Maria Hadden, whose unwavering support helped us at every turn, shared, "“All of us are one emergency away from experiencing homelessness. We know that we need not just warm, safe and dry spaces, but trauma-informed spaces with staff that are paid fair wages, who know what they’re doing, who can work with our neighbors to help them figure out whatever barriers are in their way for them getting back on their feet.”

NSHSS staff and city officials cutting the ribbon to our new Rogers Park Homeless Shelter

Alex Soto, one of our first clients, had been living on the streets for two months after his mother kicked him out. He expressed his gratitude and determination, “It’s really up to me, when I want to leave,” Soto said. “Most definitely I want to get a house, that’s my goal, to try to see if I can get a house or an apartment and move forward, and not think about what I’m going through right now.”

A new phase of our work with the Rogers Park shelter now begins: to support clients like Alex in turning his vision into reality. But we need your help to make this happen. Here’s how you can make an impact:

1. Give Today make an end-of-year, tax-deductible donation to help us sustain and grow our programs. Consider becoming a monthly donor! Your ongoing support allows us to focus more on serving those in need and less time fundraising. Every contribution, big or small, helps us expand services for our shelter and daytime support center.

2. Invite Others to Give: forward this email to friends or family, encouraging them to support our work.

3. Spread the Word: follow us, like our posts, and share this achievement with your networks on Instagram and Facebook. Don't forget to check out and share coverage about this historic moment from The Chicago Tribune, Block Club Chicago, Fox Chicago, ABC Chicago, and WGN Chicago.

   
   

Thank you for standing with us to help create brighter futures for those experiencing homelessness.