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Our Stories

News and insights from The Night Ministry community.

Yolanda's Story: "For a Whole Year, They Took Care of Me"

Yolanda outside the encampment where she lived for more than two years. Photo by Lloyd DeGrane for WTTW

Yolanda has a generous spirit. Even when she was struggling, living under a bridge by the Chicago River, she looked out for those around her, sharing resources like the BBQ meals she grilled. "You need something to eat? Come around here, and I'm going to feed you," she recalls telling her neighbors she shared an encampment with. "When I was growing...

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Night Lights Raises $107,000+ for Unhoused Youth

Congratulations to The Night Ministry's Associate Board for a tremendously successful Night Lights!

Congratulations to The Night Ministry's Associate Board! They raised more than $107,000 to support Chicago's unhoused young people at the Night Lights event held at Marshall's Landing on Thursday, October 10. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Crib, our overnight shelter for young adults. Last year, The Crib provided safe shelter and sup...

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The Night Ministry’s Outreach in Gompers Park

The Night Ministry's Sylvester Farmer provides a meal to a Health Outreach Bus visitor in Gompers Park.

In fulfilling our mission to serve Chicago's unhoused residents, The Night Ministry regularly conducts outreach among the individuals living in Gompers Park on Chicago's Northwest Side. Our Street Medicine Team and Health Outreach Bus visit the site to offer critical resources such as free health care and case management services. The latter includ...

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“I’m Excited to Have a Place of My Own.” Young Adults Transition from Shelter to Apartment Living

Pathways participants Silvono and Chris display their apartment keys as they settle into their new home.

It's 10 a.m. on a beautiful Sunday in September, and residents of The Night Ministry's Pathways Transitional Living Program for young adults have gathered for a special brunch to mark a momentous occasion. After weeks of planning and anticipation, today, they are making a giant stride on their paths to greater stability: moving into apartments. "We...

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Tragedy on the CTA

We are heartbroken by the murder of four of our fellow citizens on the CTA's Blue Line on Monday. We join the victims' families, friends, and the entire community in mourning the senseless loss of their lives. Everyone, regardless of their housing status, has the right to live their life in safety. The heinous act of violence is painfully relevant ...

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JT’s Supports Our Mission One Delicious Sandwich at a Time

JT's Sandwich Shop owner Chris Cunningham

Did you know that grabbing lunch on Tuesdays in Chicago's Irving Park neighborhood can benefit The Night Ministry? For the last four years, JT's Genuine Sandwich Shop on North Elston has supported our mission with a generous one-dollar donation from every sale of their delicious Breaded Pork Tenderloin sandwich on Tuesdays. "I appreciate everything...

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The Night Ministry Became My Haven

Denishe shared her story at The Night Ministry’s Lighting Up the Night Gala in May.

By Denishe Medeline Mberi, Graduate of The Night Ministry's Youth Housing Programs and Social Media Influencer On February 14, 2020, I wrote the following: "My life is falling apart. I feel anxious yet look calm, I feel sad yet tell everyone otherwise. I know that I am broken, but I can't seem to find the glue to put myself back together. I want to...

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How We Are Assisting Residents of the Desplaines Encampment

The Night Ministry Street Medicine Van in downtown Chicago. Team members have been assisting residents of an encampment closed by the City of Chicago on July 17.

July 17, 2024 The Night Ministry is among the Chicago organizations that have been conducting outreach with the residents of the tent encampment at Roosevelt and Desplaines that the City of Chicago closed on July 17, 2024. The City requested our help with this process as The Night Ministry has established relationships with many of the encampment r...

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How You Can Support Our Unhoused Neighbors After Supreme Court Ruling Criminalizing Street Homelessness

By Carol J. Sharp, MPAPresident & CEO Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that laws criminalizing sleeping in public spaces do not violate the U.S. Constitution, even when individuals are unhoused and their communities do not have sufficient shelter capacity. The Court announced this decision less than 10 days after the City of Chicago r...

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Lighting Up the Night 2024 Honoress

It was our privilege to honor those who have made a lasting contribution to the mission of The Night Ministry and our community at our annual Gala on May 23. Lamplighter Award Chicago Transit Authority The Lamplighter Award symbolizes an unwavering commitment to our mission and to those we serve. Since the fall of 2020, the recipient of the Lamplig...

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Video: Illuminating a Path to a Better Tomorrow

Experience The Night Ministry's impact on the lives of our unhoused neighbors.  The Night Ministry is a beacon of hope for Chicago's most vulnerable residents. Experience how our staff, volunteers, and supporters come together to provide human connection, housing support, and health care to members of our community who are unhoused or exp...

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Scenes from Lighting Up the Night 2024

Thank you to all of our friends who joined us on May 23 at Lighting Up the Night! Because of you, we raised $347,000 in support of our mission to provide human connection, housing support, and health care to those who are unhoused or experiencing poverty. We are closing in on our $100,000 Paddle Raise Goal. Please consider a donation to help us get...

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The Legacy of Tom Behrens

The Rev. Tom Behrens, The Night Ministry's Founding President & Former CEO, on the Health Outreach Bus.

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Rev. Tom Behrens, the Founding President and Former CEO of The Night Ministry. Tom's vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to serving our community's most vulnerable members left an indelible mark on our organization and the city of Chicago. As we mourn the loss of Tom and ke...

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A Stable Home and Advocacy Work Empower Youth Leader Adalina

Youth 4 Truth member Adalina obtained an apartment through a Rapid Rehousing event.

Adalina now has a home of her own. But the 20-year-old knows what it is like to experience housing instability. In recent months, she has stayed temporarily with family and friends and in shelters and housing programs, including at The Crib, The Night Ministry's emergency overnight shelter for young people, as well as its short-term youth housing p...

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One Decision Can Change a Life

Carol J. Sharp is the President & CEO of The Night Ministry

By Carol J. Sharp, President & CEO One decision. One decision has the power to shift the trajectory of your life. When I was two years old, I experienced housing insecurity. For approximately five years, my sister and I navigated Chicago, traveling from a foster home located on the South Side in the Englewood neighborhood to visit my biological...

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Remembering Barbara Bolsen

Barbara Bolsen was a longtime and beloved employee of The Night Ministry.

It is with deep sadness that we inform you that Barbara (Barb) Bolsen, The Night Ministry's former Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement, passed away on Wednesday, August 16. Barb joined The Night Ministry in 1997 after leaving a 20-year career in journalism and graduating from Chicago Theological Seminary. Barb once tol...

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Carol Sharp Joins The Night Ministry as President & CEO

Carol J. Sharp joins The Night Ministry as President & CEO.

After a national search, human services leader Carol J. Sharp has been named President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Night Ministry. Sharp assumed her responsibilities on August 14, 2023. A Chicago native, Sharp brings a deep passion for serving marginalized communities. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to enhancing t...

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Reap the Rewards

This summer, staff, guests and members of The Night Ministry's Board of Directors gathered for our annual Reap the Rewards lunch honoring employees who have demonstrated their dedication to our mission with 5, 10, 15 and 20 years of service. Pictured (from back and left) are honorees Phyllis Murphy (Program Support Coordinator, 15 years); Chri...

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Lighting Up the Night 2023

On June 7, 2023, more than 300 of our friends gathered with us for Lighting Up the Night: An Evening to Benefit The Night Ministry. During the event, members of The Night Ministry staff spoke about our the agency helps clients find a home. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, we raised more than $350,000 in support of our mission ...

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Solving the City’s Housing Crisis Will Protect the Lives of Unhoused Chicagoans

An encampment on Chicago's Lower West Side. Protecting the safety of our unhoused neighbors requires us to expand access to housing and widen the range of supportive service options available to the population.

All of us at The Night Ministry were deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Kevin Powell last month. We mourn with his family and others who knew and cared for him. Mr. Powell, who was killed while utilizing Chicago's public transit system, was one of the more than 65,000 Chicago residents who experience homelessness every year.[1]...

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The Night Ministry is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Our Federal Tax ID (EIN) is 36-3145764.