Our Impact

The adoption of a Housing First strategy in 2012 was a game changer for BEDS Plus Care. The agency undertook comprehensive strategic planning to align services and programs with the best practices identified by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as most effective in reducing and ending homelessness.

As BEDS added Rapid Rehousing, Permanent Supportive Housing and Homelessness Prevention to its well-established Emergency Services, more and more residents of Southwest Suburban Cook County found their way to housing, stability, and back into their communities.

The increase in the number of clients who have been helped by BEDS Plus over the years is the story of expanding, effective, and efficient services — always delivered with the same compassion that defined the agency’s origins over 30 years ago.

Lisa’s descent into homelessness starts with a common story. Following a divorce, she lost her home. In Lisa’s case, this meant that she was unable to work full time and care for her two daughters, ages 9 and 12, one of whom was diagnosed with a learning disability and needed special care. Lisa found part-time work at a local grocery store but faced crushing student debt from her time in nursing school.

The family lost their apartment and moved into a motel. This was their home for three years, while the girls struggled in school and Lisa worked part-time, barely making ends meet. When they finally had scrounged up enough money for a security deposit on an apartment, a fire on the property destroyed their chance for a new home. With their money gone and nowhere to turn, they spent the night in a Denny’swhile Lisa drank cup after cup of coffee and her daughters slept, waiting for school to start in the morning.

This was when the homeless liaison at the girls’ school reached out to BEDS Plus. Today, Lisa is working as a CNA in a nursing home, taking classes to learn phlebotomy, and her daughters are thriving in school.

With support from BEDS, Lisa got her family’s life back on track.

By the Numbers

Over the past five years, more than 4,500 members of BEDS communities have found help through our shelter, housing, and support programs.

Income at Program Entry

Securely Housed at Program Exit

Housing Status at Program Entry

% Expenses Devoted to Programs

By the Stories

About one year ago, as the 2017-18 school year was ending, BEDS Plus got a call from the North Palos School District about two students whose family was homeless. That family was Lisa’s.

What Our Clients Say

Who We Are

How We Help

Ways You Can Help