Since 1995, U.S. Presidents have proclaimed March as Women’s History Month. Most recently, President Joe Biden released a statement “celebrat[ing] the courageous women who have helped our Nation build a fairer, more just society.” We are a woman-led organization[1] that promotes fairness and justice for some of the most vulnerable women in our communities. Last year, we served 1,322 women, and ninety percent returned to stable housing.
BEDS celebrates women’s contributions to American history, especially to our field.
We work in the tradition of Jane Addams, Mary Ellen Richmond, Congresswoman Jeanette Rankin, Thyra J. Edwards, Dorothy Height, and millions of unacknowledged women human service and social work leaders at every level of our society. They not only compassionately responded to problems in their communities, but they objectively assessed issues, developed strategies to resolve them, and advocated for change. We try to do the same for vulnerable women in Southwest Suburban Cook County.
We’re seeing more women experiencing homelessness and imminent risk of homelessness.
We served nearly 200 more women last year than in 2022. They include vulnerable groups like:
- Single Parents: Some estimate that 90 percent of families experiencing homelessness are headed by women and that half of children in these households are under age six. These women face significant barriers to regaining housing, including a lack of affordable housing options, flexible employment, benefits access, childcare, and transportation. Our Family Bridge and La Area Transitional Housing programs give female headed households experiencing homelessness the time and private space they need to manage the causes and effects of homelessness and find new housing.
- Domestic Violence Survivors: Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness among women, and last year, we served 420 people who survived or are fleeing domestic violence. Abusers cut off women’s access to employment, money and other assets, familial and social networks, housing, and other resources. Domestic violence shelters often have residency limits, after which women may not have places to go. We offer dedicated, trauma-informed Domestic Violence Bridge and Transitional Housing programs and can refer them to healthcare, behavioral healthcare, and human service providers, including domestic violence specialists. We finally help them secure new, safe homes for themselves and their children.
- Transition-Aged Youth: Transition-aged youth (aged 18-24) typically grow into adulthood during this formative age. Losing a home interrupts this development and can leave them trapped in cycles of homelessness and poverty. Youth exiting foster care, abuse survivors, LGBTQ+ youth, and pregnant and parenting youth are especially at risk of homelessness, and women among them are especially vulnerable. BEDS received a pilot Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide Transitional Housing and Rapid Rehousing for transition aged youth, including young women. These programs prepare them for adulthood in independent housing.
- Refugees: We’ve seen a growing influx of refugee households, including a significant number of women and woman-headed households. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, describes how refugee women are at high risk of gender-based violence, including “rape, sexual assault, physical assault, forced marriage, denial of resources, opportunities, or services as well as psychological or emotional abuse.” We offer a dedicated Refugee Bridge program from where they can find permanent homes in their new country.
You can help these women regain and sustain housing.
Please consider a financial donation here, in-kind donation here, and volunteering here. Thank you for your support.
[1] In addition to Chief Executive Officer Tina Rounds, our other executives are women, including Chief Program Officer Shannon Goold, Chief Operating Officer Ramya Tallarovic, and Chief Advancement Officer Terri Rivera. Our service line directors are as well: Director of Emergency Services Stephanie Evans, Director of Interim Housing Joann Boblick, Director of Transitional Housing Javon Harris, and Director of Permanent Supportive Housing Jennifer Tudor. Women also make up 40 percent of our Board of Directors.