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Our Mission

The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization whose mission is to provide human connection, housing support, and health care to those who are unhoused or experiencing poverty. With an open heart, we compassionately accept each individual as they are and work alongside them to advocate for their immediate physical, emotional, and social needs while affirming our shared humanity. 

Our Values

Accountability

We value the relationships we hold with each other—our staff, our partners, and those we serve—by following through on our commitments.

Service

We exist to serve clients and communities. With an open heart, we are present in people’s lives and seek solutions that promote housing stability, health, and well-being. 

Dignity

We embrace each person’s inherent value and wholeness. We treat each other with respect, honesty, and compassion. 

Equity

We prioritize justice and fairness in our relationships and in how we deliver services across Chicago. Our work is a partnership between our staff and those whom we serve. 

Innovation

We use data and evaluation to develop impactful solutions to complex challenges. We learn from each other to continually improve our services, anticipate changes, and create new opportunities that enhance the lives of our neighbors. 

Hope

We believe that homelessness is solvable. Our work reveals the light in every person and every situation. 

Our History

1976-1984

Founding and Early Years

The Night Ministry was established in 1976 when a coalition of diverse North Side congregations hired Rev. Tom Behrens to conduct outreach to individuals experiencing isolation, despair, and homelessness. Behrens initially operated from the trunk of his car, conducting street outreach in nighttime locations where vulnerable populations gathered. In 1982, after encountering homeless youth, Behrens expanded the organization’s focus to address youth homelessness specifically. The organization formalized its volunteer program in 1984, recruiting community volunteers for street outreach while hiring dedicated staff for youth services. 

1988-2003

Program Expansion

The late 1980s marked significant programmatic growth. In 1988-89, The Night Ministry launched its Outreach and Health Ministry using a mobile home vehicle to provide basic medical care in underserved locations. The organization opened its flagship Open Door Shelter in Lakeview in 1992, serving homeless youth ages 14-21. Health services expanded dramatically between 1993-94 with the acquisition of a customized Health Outreach Bus, extending operations to six nights weekly and including South Side neighborhoods. The organization received multiple recognitions during the late 1990s, including the Governor’s Hometown Award and the Chicago Department of Public Health’s Award of Excellence. In 2003, The Night Ministry pioneered rapid HIV-testing on mobile units through a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant.
2007-2015

Service Innovation and Growth

The organization significantly expanded its youth housing capacity in 2007 by launching two specialized programs: the Response-Ability Pregnant and Parenting Program (RAPPP) and the STEPS Transitional Living Program, effectively doubling available bed capacity. In 2011, The Night Ministry opened The Crib, an innovative emergency overnight shelter serving young adults ages 18-24, which became a model for youth shelters throughout Chicago and gained recognition for its comprehensive and compassionate LGBTQ+ services. The organization modernized its health outreach capabilities in 2014 with a new 38-foot custom-designed Health Outreach Bus, enabling more effective healthcare delivery across Chicago’s streets. In 2015, The Night Ministry launched the Street Medicine Pilot Project, specifically targeting the hardest-to-reach homeless individuals living in encampments throughout the city.
2017-Present

Modern Era and Leadership Transition

The Night Ministry continued expanding its innovative approaches with the 2017 opening of Phoenix Hall, a specialized residence for North Lawndale College Prep High School students experiencing homelessness, developed as part of the North Lawndale Student Housing Initiative. Street Medicine transitioned from pilot status to permanent programming in 2018, becoming an integral component of the Health and Outreach Program. The organization relocated to new headquarters in Bucktown in 2020, consolidating central administration while housing The Crib overnight shelter and Health Outreach Program operations. Under former President & CEO Paul W. Hamann’s leadership, The Night Ministry successfully completed a major fundraising campaign in 2021 to secure long-term operational sustainability. 

The organization underwent significant leadership changes in 2023 when Carol J. Sharp assumed the role of President & CEO, becoming the first woman and person of color to lead the agency. A Chicago native, Sharp brought extensive experience serving marginalized communities. In 2024, The Night Ministry restructured its Pathway program from a single group home model (Phoenix Hall) to a scattered housing approach, providing more independent living options. The organization developed a comprehensive five-year strategic plan in 2025, designed to enhance responsiveness to unhoused community needs through resource alignment and innovative approaches while maintaining organizational adaptability for future challenges.