BEDS Bulletin!
Two new studies have found that poverty has returned to levels higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic. In the spring, an ambitious expansion of the safety net saved millions of people from poverty but that aid is now largely exhausted. Researchers at Columbia University found the number of poor people has grown by 8 million since May after falling by 4 million at the start of the pandemic due to the CARES Act. Researchers from the University of Chicago and Notre Dame used a different definition of poverty and found it has grown by 6 million people in the past three months. "These numbers are very concerning," said study author Bruce D. Meyer, an economist at the University of Chicago. "They tell us people are having a lot more trouble paying their bills, paying their rent, putting food on the table."

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/us/politics/federal-aid-poverty-levels.html ... See more

Two new studies show the effect of the emergency $2 trillion package known as the Cares Act and what happened when the money ran out.

Cusack Insurance in Oak Lawn is matching donations added to your receipt at Papa Joe's in Orland Park to help feed our clients as part of our Match a Meal program. Add a donation of $2 or more to your receipt at Papa Joe's and Cusack Insurance match up to $500 in donations! ... See more

We are so thankful for our supporters, volunteers and communities!

Thankful Thursday! We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our supporters, who raised $1,136 to provide meals from Palmer Place Restaurant and Biergarten to our motel-based shelter clients. Philip Wagler - American Family Insurance Agent - Chicago, IL matched $500 in donations made during the month of September. Anna Wagler, who serves on BEDS' fundraising committee, said the insurance agency wanted to motivate the community to give back. The Match a Meal program continues with new sponsors, something that Anna is grateful to see. She hopes the program will continue throughout the winter months. "You don't need to give hundreds of dollars to help," she said. "We have homeless people in our suburbs, and we need to care for them." ... See more

It's a new beginning for Thomas, who was recently housed in Chicago Ridge! It was a long journey to housing for Thomas, who was homeless for more than 10 years and recently attended shelter in Oak Lawn before getting housed. Executive Director Tina Rounds, while driving, spotted Thomas, pulled over and personally drove him to shelter. Thomas expressed gratitude and thanks for his "beautiful" new home. In fiscal year 2020, BEDS housed 1,250 clients through housing and prevention services. Find out more about the work we do here: https://beds-plus.org/how-we-help/ ... See more

It's a new beginning for Thomas, who was recently housed in Chicago Ridge! It was a long journey to housing for Thomas, who was homeless for more than 10 years and recently attended shelter in Oak Lawn before getting housed. Executive Director Tina Rounds, while driving, spotted Thomas, pulled over and personally drove him to shelter. Thomas expressed gratitude and thanks for his "beautiful" new home. In fiscal year 2020, BEDS housed 1,250 clients through housing and prevention services. Find out more about the work we do here: https://beds-plus.org/how-we-help/ ... See more

BEDS Bulletin!
NPR reported on the difficult decisions those living in homeless shelters or hotel rooms face and what it means to be homeless and schoolless amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Patricia Rivera, founder of the afterschool program for homeless youth Chicago HOPES For Kids, said many homeless shelters do not allow parents to leave their children while they go to work - a problem when education is remote. Those experiencing homelessness also are more likely to work low-wage jobs that cannot be done remotely and offer little schedule flexibility. Children experiencing homelessness face both logistical and emotional challenges to remote learning. "There is nothing equitable about distance learning for children and youth who are homeless," said Barbara Duffield, the head of SchoolHouse Connection, a national nonprofit that advocates for homeless youth. "The cost of keeping everyone safe is costing some children much more."

https://www.npr.org/2020/10/07/920320592/an-impossible-choice-for-homeless-parents-a-job-or-their-childs-education ... See more

Parents and caregivers who are homeless face a difficult decision: Work to try to escape homelessness, or quit their jobs to help their kids with online learning.

This month, Fornaro Law is matching donations added to your receipt at Palmer Place Restaurant and Biergarten to help feed our clients as part of our Match a Meal program. The downtown La Grange restaurant has been a wonderful partner and donor, providing regular meals for our clients since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to find out more: https://beds-plus.org/events/match-a-meal/ ... See more

Thankful Thursday! We want to thank our long-time partner TJMaxx in Countryside. They generously support us with in-kind donations, volunteer teams, and annual grant support from their parent company foundation. Stop by and say hi next time you're out and about! Pictured here are managers Rose, Tom and Chery with store staff. ... See more

Thankful Thursday! We want to thank our long-time partner TJMaxx in Countryside. They generously support us with in-kind donations, volunteer teams, and annual grant support from their parent company foundation. Stop by and say hi next time you're out and about! Pictured here are managers Rose, Tom and Chery with store staff. ... See more