She sees the possibilities and has absolute confidence that, once you give someone a chance and provide them with the resources—even
something many of us take for granted, like an ID card or birth certificate—they can take the next steps themselves toward a stable and productive life. "I give my clients the push they need to take the first step," says Jessica. "They need encouragement, someone to inform
them of the things they will need to make it happen, and someone to stay with them through the process," she said.
Jessica, who has been with The Night Ministry for almost a year, is quite familiar with the plight and stories of her clients. She grew up on the Westside in the Garfield Park neighborhood (also known as "K-Town") where many of her clients come from. "Although I came from a supportive family, I saw many of the same challenges and difficulties that my friends and others in my neighborhood faced and it was heartbreaking."
It's emotional for Jessica to describe a recent client's story—a young mother who had her newborn taken away. Jessica has a photo of the mother smiling in the hospital with her new baby. "She was able to hold her for a brief time, and you can see the joy in her face," explains Jessica. "But it's hard to overcome addiction." With Jessica in her corner, the plan is to get her into treatment and support her recovery to care for herself and her child.
Day in and day out, she collaborates with a multitude of agencies, including the Department of Family and Social Services, the Chicago Housing Authority, All Chicago, Street Samaritans, Above & Beyond, and Renaissance, among others to ensure that her clients get what they
need to thrive.
It's hard to fathom how she keeps track of everything, but she is driven and determined. She can see that her work is making a difference, and the successes have far outweighed the failures. The world can benefit from more individuals like Jessica.