nightlights - The Night Ministry

NIGHTLIGHTS
MARCH 2014
Stepping Up His Game: Youth Transitions to STEPS
UPDATE
In November 2013, The Night
Ministry embarked on a $750,000
fundraising campaign to purchase
a new Health Outreach Bus and
expand Health Outreach Services
for three years.
Thanks to the generous support
of donors like you, we are well
on the way to our $750,000 goal!
We placed an order for the new
Health Outreach Bus in February
and anticipate it arriving in late
summer 2014. Interested in
donating to the Bus Campaign?
Contact Christy Prassas at Christy@
thenightministry.org.
$750,000!!!
When Clarence arrived at Open Door
Shelter-West Town (ODS-WT) in
Fall 2013, he’d just lost everything:
his job, his ID, his apartment, his
independence. Clarence heard from a
friend that The Night Ministry might
be able to help him get back on his
feet. Clarence worried, though, that
that at 19 he might be too old for the
program.
He was delighted to find that the
Interim Program at ODS-WT was
actually a great fit for him at 19 and
until mid-February, Clarence lived
at the Interim Program working to
improve his life and define his goals.
(Continued on back page)
$600,000
$559,765
$450,000
$300,000
$150,000
The Campaign for
The Night Ministry’s
Bus
Housing
Health Care
Human Connection
The Night Ministry • 4711 North Ravenswood Avenue Chicago, IL 60640-4407 • 773.784.9000 • www.thenightministry.org
Unique Ways to Give - Bequests
Bequests are another way to give to The Night Ministry. By adding a simple amendment to your will, you can provide for a gift
of a specific dollar amount, property or asset; a percentage of your estate; or the residual amount left after remembering your
loved ones. To hear more about bequests or how to include The Night Ministry in your will, contact Christy Prassas at Christy@
thenightministry.org.
What’s Happening at Youth Outreach?
The Youth Outreach Team
has recently:
A Youth Outreach visitor poses
after telling us about the extra
responsibility he was trusted with
in his retail position during the
holidays.
Distributed warm weather gear
to youth during what they
call “coldpocalypse,” Chicago’s
unusually harsh and snowy
2013- 2014 winter.
Trained The Night Ministry’s
staff and interns on nonviolent
crisis prevention.
Ken Perlmutter, Chair of The Night Ministry’s
2014 Lighting Up the Night Awards Dinner
& Auction, serves mac n’ cheese to Youth
Outreach visitors.
Welcomed “Judy the Hygeine
Goddess” every Thursday, like
clockwork. Judy is a volunteer
who distributes toiletries to
Youth Outreach visitors.
Continued to provide mentorship
to 2 youth who participate in
Youth Parliament-the Youth
Outreach Team’s leadership
program for participants.
Grant, a Youth Outreach Team Intern from
Chicago Theological Seminary, chats with a
Youth Outreach visitor.
A Youth Outreach Team visitor
proudly displays a piece of
artwork he recently created on
styrofoam canvas.
Been featured in USA Today
for leadership in reaching young
people at high risk for HIV.
Youth Outreach visitors sport festive
hats as a part of the Festival of Lights
Holiday Celebration put on by Anshe
Emet Synagogue.
Continuing Care Program Replenishes Spirits in the New Year
“It’s always nice to inform clients that, although
they may be leaving one of The Night Ministry’s
programs, the agency continues to provide
support. The look of relief and optimism that
comes over their faces says it all. “
Bridget Miller began working with The Night Ministry
in 2009 as a Community-Based Case Manager at the
Response-Ability Pregnant and Parenting Program
(RAPPP). In 2013 she began her current role in the
Continuing Care Program at Open Door Shelter-West
Town.
With her support and guidance, dozens of former Open
Door Shelter-West Town clients have continued to
flourish after exiting the program. Here, Miller reflects
on her work as an aftercare provider.
As the snow thaws and spring
approaches, there is a sense of
reawakening, rejuvenation, and
renewal. As the old saying goes,
“Out with the old, in with the new.”
This revival can be felt all around
as clients who have moved on from
Open Door Shelter-West Town
(ODS-WT) participate in the ODSWT Continuing Care Program.
Once clients transition from ODSWT, the Continuing Care Program
gives them an opportunity to set and
achieve their personal goals. It’s
always nice to inform clients that
although they may be leaving one
of The Night Ministry’s programs,
whether it’s by planned or unplanned
circumstances, the agency continues
to provide the support, advocacy,
and encouragement that youth need
to empower themselves. The look of
relief and optimism that comes over
their faces says it all.
Clients who move out of ODS-WT are
connected to Continuing Care and
are excited to share their success, and
their hardships, with me.
Bridget Miller, Open Door Shelter-West Town
Continuing Care Coordinator
This was evident at the Continuing
Care Holiday Success Party, held at
Arturo’s Tacos in December. Clients
were eager to say what new and
exciting things they had going on.
Some spoke about their apartments
and the satisfaction they felt with
living on their own; some talked about
how excited they were to be in school
and pursuing their educational goals;
others described the fulfillment
they felt working a new job or being
involved in a job training program.
The consensus of the group was
that they indeed had big plans for
the year 2014. With the help of The
Night Ministry’s Continuing Care
Program there is no doubt that these
young people will be successful! The
Continuing Care Program offers a
very important message for former
residents of ODS-WT: we still care;
we’re still here to help; there is a
safety net of individuals invested in
your success.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert A. Carson, Chair
Brian D. Fergemann, Vice Chair
Arielle Deane, Secretary
Laurel A. Neu, Treasurer
Gordon Addington
Barbara Baran
Dave Berger
Kiantae A. Bowles
Rev. Shawna Bowman
William A. Goldstein
Ike Hong
Leo Kim
Jim King
Max Nutkowitz
Keisha Parker
Alicia Pond
Ellen Romberg
Allan J. Ruter
Nick Semaca
Sharbel Shamoon
Sean T. Taylor
Dennis W. Thorn
Andrew Thorrens
Carl W. Warschausky
Raymond J. White, Jr.
Directors Emeriti
Rev. Thomas Behrens,
Founding President & Former CEO
Chester A. Gougis
Robert Jordan, Jr.
Richard Pigott
Lora Sanberg
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Paul W. Hamann
President & CEO
Barbara Bolsen
Vice President of Programs
Guy Haupin
Vice President of Finance
Christy Prassas
Vice President of Development
& External Relations
THE NIGHT MINISTRY THANKS YOU FOR YOUR CARING SUPPORT.
We’re happy to recognize gifts received between November 12, 2013 - February 28, 2014 at the $250 level or higher for our
programs and operations.
LUMINARIES
Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation
($25,000+)
David & Jean Stremmel Fund/
Anonymous (4)
Donor Advised Fund at The Linda & Bill Cheeseman
Chicago Community Trust
ComEd
Fifth Third Bank Chicago
Mr. & Mrs. Edward A. Dik / Mary B. Galvin
Edward A. & Evelyn M. Dik Harry S. Black & Allon Fuller Family Foundation
Fund
Leonard C. Goodman
Mark & Susan Neaman
Illinois Dept. of Human Services
O’Brien Family Foundation
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
Patrick and Anna M. Cudahy North Shore Visiting Nurse
Fund
Fund/ The Chicago Community Quarles & Brady LLP
Trust
Richard E. Lyke Charitable Lead Northern Trust
Trust
Polk Bros. Foundation
Ellen Romberg
Alicia & Peter Pond
Gerald & Barbara Schultz
The Dancing Skies Foundation
Shawn M. Donnelley Fund
The John R. Houlsby Foundation Matthew D. Smith
U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Sven & Julie Sykes
Services
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U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban The John D. & Catherine T.
Development
MacArthur Foundation
The North Shore Exchange
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Foundation
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Walgreens
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AIDS Foundation of Chicago
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Women of the Evangelical
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JPMorgan Chase
Gina & Mark Affolter
Ann Lurie
Anshe Emet Synagogue, Chicago
Richard & Kathleen Michel
Arch W. Shaw Foundation
Peoples Gas
Baird & Warner Good Will Ravenswood Health Care Fund/The Chicago Community
Foundation
Trust
Robert & Mayari Pritzker Family Barbara & John Baran
Foundation
Randy Barrengos & Geoffrey
Jenny & Nick Semaca
Ayoub
The Estate of Carol B. Michael
Andrea Billhardt
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($5,000—$9,999)
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Combined Federal Campaign
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Davita Dialysis
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Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
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Karen T. Horan
Harold Horwich
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Appraisal Group, LLC
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Smith T. Powell III & Eva Janzen Powell
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Norman L. Riley
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S. Downey Fund/Donor
Advised Fund at The Chicago Community Foundation
Leanne Sardiga
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Fred Schmitz
Chandra Sekhar
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Hope & Jeffrey Sheffield
Elizabeth M. Simpkin & David L. Wetherbee
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Elisa K. Spain
Kathy & Brian Spear
Ted & Audrey Spiegel
St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Deerfield
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wilmette
Matthew Staman
Randy Stearns & Stacey Bashara Stearns
Sylvia V. Stec
Stokes Family Charitable Fund
Leonard G. Strauch
Margaret Sullivan & Chuck Elliott
Sean Taylor & Sian Sutcliffe
The Boeing Company
The Donnelley Foundation
The Episcopal Church of
St. James the Less, Northfield
The Maurice Foundation
The Sondheimer Family Charitable Foundation
The Speiser Family Foundation
Helen & Dick Thomas
Dennis W. Thorn
Tracer Bullet Rock
George & Karen Tzanetopoulos
Henry & Janet Underwood
Walmart
Elliot S. Weisenberg
Stephanie Nora White &
Raymond J. White, Jr.
William Harris Investors, Inc.
Women’s Association of Glenview Community Church
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STREETLIGHTS
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($500—$999)
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AGLO Chicago
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Schober
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Foundation
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Chicago
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Markich
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Devon Bank
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Chicago
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Brown
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Rough Magic
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Howie, Jr.
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(Continued from front) Stepping Up His Game: Youth Transitions to STEPS
But in mid-February Clarence did
something that makes us gleam
with pride at The Night Ministry:
he moved into ODS-WT’s two-year
transitional living program, STEPS.
In the Interim Program, youth are
part of a very structured environment
where they learn to cook, clean and
acquire lift skills that are imperative
to independent living. When youth
excel in this environment and exhibit
ownership over their progress, they
are often given the opportunity to
move into STEPS.
At STEPS, Clarence will prepare his
own meals, set his own schedule and
work for two years on achieving his
goals. “I know what I
want and I work with
my case manager to
get it,” said Clarence.
First, Clarence plans to
obtain his GED. Then
he is excited about
enrolling in a two year
educational program. Clarence’s work
background is in hospitality, and he
is currently busy applying for jobs
and looking for service opportunities.
STEPS requires that residents pursue
a GED or High School Diploma,
maintain regular employment, as
well as perform community service.
“You should always want to help
people and take the time like others
take the time to help you,” said
Clarence about his involvement
with The Safer Foundation. After
being connected through The
Night Ministry, Clarence has had
the opportunity to talk with a class
of men younger than him about
mentorship and goal setting. He says
it “brings joy to his heart” to explain
his struggle and pass on any advice he
can to people who may be enduring
similar struggles.
“I know what I Clarence was born in
DC and
want and I work Washington,
moved to Chicago when
was young to live
with my case he
with his aunt. At 18, he
manager to get it.” realized that his living
situation with his aunt
wasn’t working. “Instead of losing a
good relationship with the woman
who raised me, I chose to separate
myself from the situation. We’re
doing better now.” said Clarence.
“Working with an individual like
Clarence that is highly motivated
and is not afraid to accept direction
is a true pleasure. He embraces
challenges and is not afraid to jump
through as many hurdles as needed
to accomplish his goals,” said
Anthony Monterroso, Clarence’s
Case Manager.