For forty years, The Night Ministry has been providing housing, health care, and human connection to members of the Chicago community who are struggling with poverty or homelessness.  Each year, The Night Ministry serves more than 5,200 youth and adults. During Fiscal Year 2015 (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015), our Outreach and Health Ministry Program provided 44,291 health outreach contacts with an estimated 4,100 adults and youth seeking services; our four Youth Housing Programs provided shelter to 441 youth and 51 of their children; and our Youth Outreach Team connected with hundreds of youth on Chicago’s nighttime streets. All programs are non-denominational, and we are known for supporting people without concern for race, ethnicity, creed or sexual orientation. All programs operate year round.

The Night Ministry’s programs fall under two categories: Youth Services and Health Outreach. Youth services are comprised of four homeless shelter programs in three locations in Chicago. The Crib provides young adults in Lakeview, ages 18-24, with safe and supportive overnight emergency shelter, as well as life and leadership development skills. The Response-Ability Pregnant and Parenting Program in Lakeview offers young women, ages 14-21, and their children, safe and nurturing short-term housing. The Interim Program in West Town offers young people, ages 14-21, supportive short-term housing and comprehensive case management to develop independent living skills. The STEPS Transitional Living Program in West Town provides long-term housing and intensive life skills coaching to young people ages 18-21 who have graduated from one of The Night Ministry’s other youth programs. All services provided through The Night Ministry are built on the belief that guidance during the transitional period of adolescence is key to a strong, successful adulthood. Our staff use clients’ strengths and developmental assets to create an individualized, proactive, and positive plan for action during and after service. This includes linking the youth to medical care, counseling, stable housing including family reunification if appropriate, and other supportive services; setting educational and vocational goals; case manager follow-up after discharge; and attending cultural events throughout the city that the youth would not be able to otherwise, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. 

Health Outreach services are through the Outreach and Health Ministry Program and the Youth Outreach Team. The Outreach and Health Ministry Program provides approachable assistance to homeless, precariously housed, and medically vulnerable individuals to address their most immediate needs. The Night Ministry’s customized 38-foot Health Outreach Bus brings medical care directly to the people in five underserved neighborhoods in Chicago, five nights a week. The main goal of the program is to improve the health of homeless and precariously housed persons (and attempt to decrease unnecessary emergency room visits) by providing point of entry health care and by linking patients to medical homes, where they can receive comprehensive patient-centered care. Visitors to the Bus may receive treatment for chronic wounds, diseases, or injuries; a hot drink; a meal; referrals to government benefit signup assistance; and confidential rapid HIV and STD/STI testing.

The Youth Outreach Team identifies youth living on the street and helps them meet their basic needs. The Youth Outreach Van visits the intersection of Belmont and Halsted streets once a week from 8:30 PM until approximately 11:30 PM, and conducts outreach on foot once a week near the Harold Washington Public Library downtown, where homeless youth often congregate. Our staff and volunteers provide a welcome and affirming environment by offering food, basic need items, and street counseling. The program provides unique opportunities for vulnerable and at-risk youth, such as Youth Parliament (which teaches homeless youth leadership and advocacy skills) and Adventure Club (which offers free, outdoor retreats for homeless youth). Our Outreach Professionals provide confidential HIV/STI testing services. The Youth Outreach Team carries out its services by going directly to where homeless youth are and is currently exploring an expansion into the West side of Chicago, with the assistance of liaisons in Chicago Public Schools. The Youth Outreach Team also concentrates outreach efforts toward the LGBTQ community, where homeless youth are hugely disproportionate.