For many homeless and precariously housed youth, The Night Ministry provides a vital first step toward safety and improved circumstances.
If you are a youth or young adult in need of services, please click here
Youth Engagement Services
The Night Ministry’s Youth Engagement Services meets and builds relationships with youth and young adults experiencing homelessness on the streets, in schools, at drop-in programs, and other locations across Chicago. Our Youth Outreach Team identifies youth and young adults living on the streets or at-risk of becoming homeless and helps them meet their basic needs through resources and referrals. The Crib provides young adults ages 18 through 24 with safe and supportive overnight emergency shelter, as well as life and leadership development skills.
Early Intervention Services
Early Intervention Services at the Response-Ability Pregnant and Parenting Program (RAPPP) and the Interim Housing Program offer youth ages 14 through 21 and their children safe and nurturing short-term housing in an environment that fosters stability, responsibility, and independent living skills. Our Early Intervention Services are designed to quickly support youth and their families to either return home, or if that is not possible, to ensure people move into safe and appropriate housing with the supports that they need. While both of these programs are open to pregnant youth and young families, RAPPP is the only housing program in Chicago that reserves beds for pregnant or parenting minor-age girls who are also experiencing homelessness.
Long-Term Residential Services
Long-Term Residential Services at the STEPS Transitional Living Program and Phoenix Hall provide housing and intensive life skills coaching to youth and young adults. STEPS (Successful Transitions Effectively Preparing for Self-Sufficiency) offers up to two years of housing for young adults ages 18 through 21. At STEPS, all residents must have a high school diploma or a GED, or be pursuing a high school diploma or GED. We help all residents maintain employment or seek employment, so they can transition into their own apartment at the end of their stay with us.
Phoenix Hall, an integral component of the North Lawndale Student Housing Initiative, serves North Lawndale College Prep High School students experiencing homelessness and housing instability by providing safe, stable housing and support for the achievement of their educational goals.
Supportive Services
Supportive Services provides youth and young adults participating in any of The Night Ministry’s Youth Programs with the tools they need to thrive and enjoy adolescence and young adulthood. Supportive Services offers youth recreational activities, leadership development programs, the opportunity for young people to use their voices to inform and influence their communities through advocacy, and case management that lasts beyond their stay in The Night Ministry’s housing programs.