By George Vlahos
In the middle of one of Chicago’s most vibrant and popular neighborhoods of Lincoln Park stands the Lincoln Park Community Shelter.
From the outside, the shelter may look more like a prison, but it is far from that. Dark brick adorns the exterior with very few windows—just enough for sunlight and sightseeing.
Inside, the shelter for the homeless, state-of-the-art and stainless steel appliances adorn each room. The newly-renovated facility, at 638 West Deming Place, boasts a large and complete kitchen with refrigerators, stoves, a large sink and a dishwasher. Also, each bedroom houses two sets of bunk beds and each bedroom has a different paint job. Some bedrooms are painted blue, some white and there are even a few with brick walls.
It even has its own modern computer lab complete with the latest computer technology.
But the center is not all about beautiful appliances and modern technology . One of the main purposes of the shelter is to help the homeless who are in need and to assist them in getting their lives back on track.
According to the shelter’s published literature, it is a comprehensive social service agency serving adult men and women who are experiencing homelessness. The agency has been providing shelter and other basic needs to our homeless neighbors for more than 20 years. Today, the shelter provides transitional housing, meals, and a targeted array of social services to over 450 people each year.
One of the volunteers who offer their services and try to carry out the shelter’s mission is Nancy Ulie, 29, a 5th grade teacher at Alcott Elementary School in Lincoln Park. Ulie says that she got involved with the shelter because of one of her former students.
“One of my students from a couple years ago volunteered here with his mom and they suggested that we take a field trip and see how this shelter was run. After the field trip, I decided to volunteer my time here. It’s a great place to help others,” Ulie said.
Ulie says that her volunteer time spent at the shelter is very rewarding and very humbling at the same time.
“Volunteering here is a great experience because it allows me to help others. It also makes me realize how much we have and how much we take for granted. Volunteering here or at any other shelter should be a big wake-up call for all of us,” Ulie said.
Matt O’Brien, 22, has recently started volunteering at the LPCS. So far, O’Brien says his time has been tough on him mentally, but overall he is enjoying helping other people.
“It’s kind of hard watching people live like this and hearing their stories,” O’Brien said. “It’s almost depressing listening to how they got here. At the same time, I know that I am doing a good thing by helping out other people
Just how does the LPCS help the guests who come through its doors?
“Through what they call an ‘On Track Program’,” Ulie explained.
“The On Track Program pushes our guests to acknowledge not only their homelessness, but we want them to realize that they are worth something and then we set guidelines and goals for them along each track,” said Betsy Carlson, program director.
Carlson says the program seeks to help the homeless in three specific areas: substance abuse recovery, mental and physical health and job training and employment.
“We have many services and programs in place to help our guests achieve their goals,” Carlson said.
Among the shelter’s programs is a savings plan that encourages guests/residents to save at least 50 percent of their income.
“We do that so that when they do venture out of the shelter they are not tempted to spend their money on what got them in here in the first place,” Carlson said.
Another service offered through the On Track Program is the daily group activities program. According to case manager Murray Manus, the daily group activities objective is to have support groups and classes that offer personal and educational development.
“We try to focus on group activities that promote a healthy community,” Manus said. “The daily group activities also try to foster support for job searches, healthy lifestyles and tries to help those with mental disabilities.”
During one such session, with about nine people in attendance, including Manus, the group gathered in a “classroom style” environment.
“Okay, everyone what are we going to try and do from now on?” Manus asked.
“Stay away from drugs and alcohol,” the guests replied.
“Why?”
“‘Cause it’s bad for you,” they said.
“Can you do it?”
“Yes we can!” they said.
“We do this every single session,” Manus later explained. “I ask them these questions, they answer back and we end each session with the guests saying, ‘yes we can.’
“We want them to know that they can do it and we will be there to help them each step of the way.”
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