Help Empower Women Who are Homeless in Chicago

Sarah's Circle is ending 2023 with good news to share. As of early November:

• we had already served 598 women (so we will meet our goal of helping at least 600 women this year) 
• case managers helped 110 women move into more stable and permanent housing (more than in 2022 and 2021)
• we're meeting our goal for helping women maintain or incease their income
• we gave away hundreds of coats and winter accessories at our annual community coat give away
• construction on our building (which includes 28 units of permanent supportive housing) continues on schedule for a Fall 2024 opening

Let me tell you about one of the women in our Interim Housing Program. Shay is an artist of many talents. Whether it is singing, crafting, designing, acting, dancing, or writing, art has always been a big part of her life. Shay has performed her music internationally and even published a book, titled “How Buffalo-Stands-Firm Got His Name,” in 2017.

She was born in Cincinatti and moved to Chicago in 1972. Shay has faced many obstacles throughout her life; she is a cancer survivor and has overcome several traumatic experiences. She has been a client at Sarah’s Circle since Spring of 2023.

Through her experiences being homeless, she says she has learned the importance of having access to mental health resources, and believes in building community and channeling hardship and pain into creativity. “I want to help other people create art... and have that be part of my legacy.” In the Interim Housing program, Shay participates in writing and creative workshops, and encourages the other women to attend these programs.