Chicago HOPES for Kids

Heightening Opportunity and Potential for Educational Success

Support. Educate. Empower.

Chicago HOPES for Kids provides comprehensive support to Chicago students and families experiencing homelessness. We are committed to our children’s educational development and long-term empowerment through academic support, dedicated mentorship and basic needs services.

With over a decade of service, we are the only organization in Chicago that provides educational and specialized support directly to children experiencing homelessness. We proudly serve more than 325 students and their families annually and look forward to many more years of collaboration with our community!

Understanding Homelessness

1. The Changing Face of Homelessness

We define homelessness as anyone unable to establish stable long-term housing. This group includes people living in shelters, with friends or family short-term, in transitional housing, on the streets or in other forms of unstable housing.

2. "Experiencing Homelessness” vs. “Being Homeless"

Homelessness is not a marker of permanent identity. When we use terms like “homeless person” or “the homeless,” we strip individuals of their identity and agency and place negative connotations on them. Many people refer to “the homeless” negatively to continue othering an already marginalized demographic. However, we know that any individual can overcome homelessness with access to the proper resources and support. So, we utilize person-first language by saying “people experiencing homelessness” and refrain from calling people “homeless.”

3. "Transitional Housing"

A type of homelessness that is not sustainable or long-term for an individual or group. This can include staying with friends or family, shelters or other short-term solutions.

Our Partner Shelters and Community Sites:

Currently, our programs are in 10 shelters and community-based sites in Chicago: Lakeview, Uptown, Austin, Garfield Park, South Loop, Englewood, South Shore, Greater Grand Crossing, and South Chicago

* Exact locations are not provided to ensure the safety and privacy of the families and children we serve.

What We Do

Children experiencing homelessness are at risk of falling 3 to 6 months behind in school with every move. At HOPES, we provide the necessary interventions to help students reach their full potential.

READY READERS

LITERACY LEADERS

SUMMER ENRICHMENT

FAMILY CONNECTION

730+

Over 730 students and families are impacted by HOPES programs and and services.

725+

Over 725 hours of individualized literacy support across our 10 partner shelters.

56%

56% of students in our after school program grew one or more reading levels in 12 weeks during the fall 2022 semester.

Our Approach Makes A Difference

We believe that to combat poverty, we must engage the full humanity of our community. Regardless of the size of our organization, we remain committed to building intimate and honest connections. This translates into our services through participants’ direct involvement and collaboration. Later, this ripples through our relationships with CPS, our trauma-informed programming and redefining homelessness.

2024 Annual Report

We Provide Encouragement

Children thrive with guidance from caring adults. HOPES volunteers encourage children to be self-motivated and embrace challenge.

We Support Academic Success

Children experiencing homelessness are at risk of falling three-six months behind in school with every move. At HOPES, we provide the academic support needed to keep our kids on track.

We Engage Families

Strong families foster strong kids. We teach parents how to effectively advocate for their children in the public school system to help them better support their children's academic success long-term.

Connect With Us!

We want to hear from you! From volunteering, donation, partnership opportunities or general questions regarding Chicago HOPES for Kids programs, we have a dedicated team of experts ready to connect with you soon!

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