Rock musician Jim Peterik, a Berwyn native and founder of the band Survivor, broke out his guitar over the weekend to lift the spirits of BEDS Plus Care clients staying at our consolidated shelter site. BEDS clients, several of whom recalled seeing Jim in concert back in the day, were […]
Covering our COVID-19 response, week two
We are already into week three of our COVID-19 response and it’s starting to feel like a new normal of sorts. We are proud of the work we have accomplished and the support we have received from the community – a huge thank you to our staff for the sacrifices […]
Local shelters work to meet demand during pandemic
Suburban Life reporter Amanda Tugade reports on how BEDS Plus and others are working to meet demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read more.
Meet Housing Case Manager Natalie Breeden
Our courageous and committed frontline staff have made our strategic COVID19 response possible. As National Social Work Month continues, we want to highlight another staff person who is going to extraordinary lengths to serve some of our most vulnerable clients. Housing Case Manager Natalie Breeden works closely with people living […]
Thank you to Ogden Avenue School students!
A heartfelt thank you to the students at Ogden Avenue School! The sixth-grade class coordinated a donation drive to benefits BEDS as its service project. Fun facts – 96 sixth-grade students collected four carloads of necessary shelter supplies over the past month! More than $1,000 in gift cards were collected. […]
Volunteer Bill Burke helps on frontline of the BEDS COVID-19 response
Bill Burke is one of the BEDS volunteers on the frontline of our COVID-19 response, helping to manage consolidated shelter operations. A volunteer with BEDS since 1998, Bill tirelessly led a small group of volunteers to get our consolidated shelter site ready to serve both as an overnight emergency shelter […]
Covering Our COVID-19 Response
Week One (3/15/20 – 3/21/20) While we work to keep our clients and communities safe, our friends have stepped forward to share what they have. We’ve received hundreds of foodstuffs, cleaning supplies, and games. Additionally: A shelter client donated $15 with the first check from his new bank account. A […]
Meet Manager of Emergency Services and Outreach Mario Avila
Manager of Emergency Services and Outreach Mario Avila joined BEDS staff in 2017. Based in our Worth office, Mario Avila oversees our South Suburban emergency overnight shelters, daytime support center, and street outreach. He works closely with clients who are struggling with substance abuse, which can cause homelessness, be caused […]
COVID-19 makes the homeless even more vulnerable
Illinois and a growing number of states have instructed residents stay at home, which leaves people experiencing homelessness with fewer and fewer places to go. Many describe the pandemic and its effects as unprecedented. Your support will make a difference by keeping our clients and communities safer. Homelessness has always […]
Beds Plus operates only one location for overnight shelter and limits guests to 50 in response to risk of coronavirus
Pioneer Press reporter Kimberly Fornek reports on how BEDS Plus is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes that have been made to the overnight emergency shelter program as a result. Click here to read more.
