Mark Rudzinski has been a dedicated advocate for BEDS Plus since he and his wife, Susan, moved to LaGrange in 1990. They were inspired to get involved after witnessing individuals struggling to afford rent and facing homelessness.
Mark and Susan were motivated to act when they heard calls to reduce BEDS Plus's services. They began attending village board meetings to advocate for the organization and started volunteering at church shelters, helping individuals start their days positively. “We started volunteering two nights a month from 3 to 7 a.m., listening to what people had to say and helping when we could,” he recalls. “Through our experiences with the clients, we’ve witnessed the humanity and sense of community that can flourish even in difficult times,” he reflects.
Mark's background in medical consulting has been invaluable in his board role. Recognizing homelessness as a public health issue, he contributed to the opening of the Linda Sokol Francis Summit Service Center, which features an 18-bed medical respite shelter.
He takes pride in the BEDS Plus evolution from a focus on emergency shelter to a comprehensive range of services, including homelessness prevention and long-term supportive housing. “We’ve become one of the most highly recognized homeless services agencies in the Chicago area for our innovation and ability to help clients achieve positive outcomes,” Mark emphasizes. He believes the medical respite shelter is transformative for clients facing health challenges. “Imagine trying to manage through medical issues like uncontrolled diabetes while living on the street. This shelter provides a powerful one-two punch: medical care and case management to help our clients heal and get their health conditions under control,” he adds.
After a decade of involvement, Mark expresses gratitude for the impact BEDS Plus has had on him and the community. “I can truly say we have taken away much more than we have ever given to this incredible agency.” His journey highlights the profound impact of community support, and the difference one can make by helping those in need.