Some households seeking homeless shelter have reached a tipping point. They may still be in an apartment but on the verge of eviction, utility shutoff, or another crisis. Their options seem to have narrowed to finding a safe place for the night. But once they enter a shelter program, regaining […]
Meet BEDS Manager of Intake Danielle Cox
BEDS Plus is lucky to have Manager of Intake Danielle Cox on staff. Danielle said her job at BEDS is a frontline point of entry for the agency. Once she receives a client’s contact information, she begins the shelter or diversion screening process. She interacts with potential clients by asking […]
BEDS Plus interview with Katie Spoden of the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County
BEDS Plus recently sat down with Katie Spoden of the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County. Katie is the Continuum of Care Planning Director for the agency. BEDS: Katie can you describe your position? Katie: My job includes implementing community-wide plans to prevent and end homelessness; planning for […]
Meet Jennifer Tudor, BEDS Manager of Permanent Supportive Housing
Meet Jennifer Tudor, BEDS Manager of Permanent Supportive Housing, who joined the staff in 2019. Jennifer oversees five Supportive Housing programs and one housed after-care program. Jennifer always knew she wanted to work in a “helping profession,” but wasn’t sure in what capacity. After she graduated from Drake University, she […]
The connection between mental health and homelessness
This May, BEDS observes Mental Health Awareness Month. Sponsored by Mental Health America since 1949, the month seeks to raise awareness of mental health and its treatment. This year’s theme is Back to Basics, which recognizes how the pandemic and its restrictions affected our collective mental health and shares information […]
BEDS Faith-based Partnerships: First Congregational Church of Western Springs
First Congregational Church of Western Springs is a long-time supporter of BEDS Plus. The church supports BEDS and our programs through its mission programs as well as its Woman’s Society. Church volunteers over the years have worked summer shelter shifts, provided meals and provided transportation. Their support is essential to […]
Permanent Supportive Housing: Jonah’s move-in day
After experiencing homelessness for four years, Jonah now has a place to call home. He connected with BEDS while living out of his car. We were able to help Jonah find housing through our Permanent Supportive Housing program, which pairs case management with support services to help our clients stabilize […]
Volunteers vital to our work
BEDS was founded by a committed group of La Grange area residents. They did not have any formal human services training; they simply saw people living outdoors and decided to act. We started as a weekly shelter in an area faith-based organization. Other faith-based organizations soon joined in, bringing new groups […]
What does a housing advocate at BEDS do? Featuring staff member Priscilla Beecham-Joseph
What does a housing advocate at BEDS do? BEDS Housing Advocate Priscilla Beecham-Joseph works with clients to help them find housing but also provides them with case management services throughout their journey. She helps clients learn how to budget and plan to pay their bills on time, among other things.
Housing gives BEDS client a fresh start
Congratulations to Michael! Michael was recently housed after previously living out of his car and staying in shelters. He had struggled with drug use in the past but worked with his case workers to get into counseling. Michael has been sober for two years now and is grateful to those […]