At 21, Alexandra jingles her house keys with a butterfly keyring—a reminder of her mother, who loved butterflies. The keys represent something profound: after years of instability, she finally has a place to call home. Alexandra's journey came to an abrupt and heartbreaking stop when, at 16, her mother died at the hands of gun violence. The love an...
(CHICAGO, IL — July 25, 2025) The Night Ministry strongly opposes the recent Executive Order, "Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets," which directly targets the communities that we serve and abandons the approaches that have been seen to improve people's lives. Our mission is grounded in supporting our unhoused neighbors with proven...
For more than four decades, Carter-Westminster United Presbyterian Church has stood as a steadfast pillar of support for The Night Ministry's mission to serve Chicago's unhoused. The Skokie-based congregation, led by Rev. Stuart Barnes Jamieson, has woven service into the fabric of its identity, consistently providing 200 sack suppers each mo...
Homeless and pregnant, Julie found herself facing an overwhelming and uncertain future. The situation became even more daunting when her mother, upon learning of Julie's pregnancy, forced her out of the house. During this tumultuous time, Julie confided in her high school English teacher, who, understanding the gravity of her situation, connected h...
"I knew I was going to be a good dad," Chris says with a reminiscent grin as he recalls the moment he found out he was going to be a father at just 16 years old. "I was nervous, but kids have always kind of loved me" he continued. Now, at 22, he is a proud father of three and is determined to create the stable, fulfilling life he always envis...
Did you know that more than 68,000 Chicagoans have no permanent place to call home? To put that number in context, that is more people than can fit in Soldier Field. You have the power to make a difference in the lives of our vulnerable neighbors by joining me in supporting TheNight Ministry on Hope for Homes Day on July 17. For nearly half a centu...
At just 19 years old, Shanyah has faced some extraordinary challenges. But with resilience, she is charting a new course for her life—one marked not by the hardships she's endured, but the future she is determined to build. A participant in The Night Ministry's Pathways program, Shanyah is studying to become a registered nurse while embracing...
Alan, a determined 21-year-old from Central Africa, came to the United States for a better life. Now experiencing homelessness and staying at The Night Ministry's The Crib, a safe and supportive overnight emergency shelter for young adults ages 18 through 24, he's turning hardship into motivation." The fact that after every...