The Cubs' playoff run ended in the National League Division Series this year, but one thing remained constant—Wrigley Field looked pristine throughout, thanks in part to Darius, one of their maintenance engineers and a current client in The Night Ministry's Pathways Program. Jamaican-born, Darius came to the United States with his family...
Jessica Stokes, a case manager on the outreach and health care team at The Night Ministry, is full of life, exuding positive energy with a magnetic personality. She brings that same warmth to her work, fiercely advocating for and supporting more than 200 clients.She sees the possibilities and h...
When David moved from Arizona to Chicago in 2016, he had no idea the twists his journey would take. "I was born and raised in Arizona," he recalled. "I came to Chicago for a promotion on the railroad. I've always been a wanderer, curious about how things work and open to new places." But when the pandemic hit, the life he'd carefully buil...
Ten years ago, Barry had a stable life: a career as a pharmacy technician, a wife, two sons, and a sense of everyday security. Today, in his mid-forties, he's navigating a reality shaped by addiction, divorce, job loss, and homelessness. The decline was gradual. First came drug addiction, then the unraveling of his marriage, the loss of his job, an...
When Nonso Achebe joined The Night Ministry's Storytelling Committee as a volunteer, it marked a meaningful full-circle moment—especially for Anthony Monterroso, his former mentor from The Night Ministry STEPS program (Successful Transitions Effectively Preparing for Self Sufficiency Program), the precursor to our current Pathwa...
November 9, 2025 A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Cook County from 9 PM tonight (11/9) through noon Monday (11/10). Lake effect snow may significantly impact Monday morning conditions. For organizations serving unsheltered individuals, please share these warming resources: 24/7 ACCESS: SPARC (Shelter Placement and Resource Center) - 2241 S H...
At 6'4, Seth Hilton stands tall with a warm smile and a funny but important clarification, "No, I'm not related to the Hiltons," he laughs, referring to the family hotel empire. What Seth lacks in inherited wealth, he makes up for in determination, creativity, and an unexpected gift that emerged during one of the most challenging times the wo...
Bertha DePriest first learned about The Night Ministry more than two decades ago while on vacation in Argentina, in a conversation with a couple she met and is still friends with Gordon and Paula Addington. The name itself piqued her curiosity, and when she returned home, she encouraged her church to get involved. Soon, her congregation was pr...
Jan Rotter carefully arranges paintbrushes and colored pencils on the table in the lounge at West Town, The Night Ministry's interim housing facility for youth ages 14–21, preparing for another afternoon with the young people she's come to know and love. It's a ritual she's repeated countless times during her 20-year tenure as a volunteer.A former ...
Our Youth 4 Truth members recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the "A Way Home America" conference, an experience that left us inspired and energized for the work ahead. A Way Home America continues to be a leading force in shaping policies that support unhoused individuals and amplifying the voices of those who need it most. Thi...
Israel stresses that for people living with addiction, recovery is more complicated than just getting clean. There's a crucial mental component that must be addressed—a psychological shift that needs to happen before real change can occur. "You have to get to the root of what went wrong, what led to the decisions that eventually resulted in addicti...
Twice a month at our Forest Park Blue Line outreach, Loyola optometrists volunteer their expertise to provide essential eye care to those experiencing homelessness and extreme poverty. From vision screenings and glaucoma testing to distributing free reading glasses, these amazing professionals are helping our community members and making a si...
When The Night Ministry launched Youth 4 Truth (Y4T) in 2016, the goal was both transformative and straightforward: to create a space where young people in its housing programs could speak for themselves and shape the services they rely on. Nearly a decade later, the program is thriving, now under the leadership of Michelle Thomas, Client Developme...
The Night Ministry's Associate Board will host the 11th Annual Night Lights Gala on Thursday, October 30, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Marshall's Landing, 222 West Merchandise Mart Plaza. Guests will enjoy an evening of celebration, networking, and community while raising vital funds to support The Night Ministry's health outreach programs and se...
The potential deployment of the National Guard has heightened anxiety and fear across Chicago. For our unhoused neighbors, increased military presence can be particularly unsettling, exacerbating the already immense challenges they face daily. The feeling of insecurity and potential for further marginalization adds another layer of complexity to th...
Each day, whether on sidewalks, under viaducts, and in shelters, The Night Ministry's Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are on the frontlines, providing health care and other vital services to some of Chicago's most vulnerable residents. In honor of Illinois Association for Free & Charitable Clinic Month, we celebrate them for their u...
For the second consecutive year, The Night Ministry hosted a delegation from Mission Australia, (who are they and what do they do).The visit provided an opportunity for The Night Ministry to update the organization on its programs and services, learn more about their initiatives, and foster valuable cross-cultural dialogue about addressing homeless...
August is Free and Charitable Clinic Month, and The Night Ministry is proud to highlight the transformative impact of our health outreach programs serving Chicago's most vulnerable populations. Our dedicated street medicine teams exemplify the spirit of charitable healthcare by bringing vital medical services directly to those who need them most. E...
Funding will support Health Outreach Bus program serving Chicago's most vulnerable populations (CHICAGO, IL – August 7, 2025) – The Night Ministry announced today that it has received a $20,000 grant from SC Johnson to support its Health Outreach Bus program, which delivers essential medical care and community support to individuals and families ex...
(Chicago, IL – July 16, 2025) The Night Ministry is proud to announce it has received a $100,000 grant from The Chicago Community Trust (the Trust) in support of its ongoing efforts to serve thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty throughout Chicago. For more than 39 years, the Trust has been a steadfast partner in The Night ...