ACTION PROJECT

Journeys from PADS to HOPE assists men, women, and families in northwest suburban Cook County who have become or are at risk of becoming homeless. Focusing on intervention and prevention, the HOPE Day Center offers guests and clients mental health support, job counseling and referrals, and help in securing a permanent residence. The mission of Journeys from PADS to HOPE is to individually assess and serve the homeless and near homeless, while broadening community awareness and involvement with the homeless.

 

SERVICES THAT THEY PROVIDE :

•Mental health counseling 

•Vocational counseling

•Substance abuse counseling

•Employee training program

•Case Management

•Outreach services

•Housing assistance

•Nursing visits

•Transportation assistance

•Referrals to pro-bono doctors, dentist, and lawyers

•Clothing closet

•Travel vouchers

•Laundry facilities

•Bedding and tents

•Voicemail and mailbox

•Meals

•Showers

•Lockers

•Health/ personal care

On the march 20th I and MIchael had  a two hour mandatory training for all new PADS and HOPE Center volunteers. The training was held at Journeys in Palatine. The agency trainings focus on the agency’s organizational structure, how to interact with the   homeless, and on general volunteer opportunities at the PADS sites. We volunteered on two days on March 21, which was the Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church and on March 25, Thursday at Willow Creek Community Church. At both places we worked in two shifts which were set up shift from 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm and first  shift that was from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm . In set up shifts we got the sleeping area ready,  which included setting up the pads and linens. The other people in the mean time were receiving food donation from different organizations and communities. When we were  done with setting up sleeping area , we helped with preparing serving area and registration desk,setting up facility, and setting up dining area . When we were done we pretty much started our first shift rite a way. Prepared food was provided as assigned to homeless people. As the guest  were coming couple other people were registering hem by the register desk. They needed to provide us  with main information their name , age, gender. Me and Michael were assisted with serving dinner where on  Thursday they had can peaches, spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread, cookies, and some  fruit at the end, and on Sunday they had frozen prepackaged food that contained piece of chicken rice vegetables, they also got bread  sweets and fruit salads. After assisting with food we made some time to  welcome guests. I had spoken with couple of guests and it made me realize how hard it gets on the streets. I talked to 60 year old guy that’s been homeless for what he said  since he was a teenager, which was when he came back from the army. At  the training we was told not to ask any personal stuff, because the guest can get really upset and cause  scene in some cases. So I just did not ask them to many personal questions, but on the other hand tried  joking around with them and introducing my self. Some of them talked about their life but some didn't What really got me is that even tho they live on the streets and their lives are harsh  but they are still  cheerful and thankful even tho they had nothing. By listening to their stories, and having a chance to  talked to them in a way I found that i can be my self around them.  After making guest feel welcome and shared some stories with them , we had to then monitor all areas and secure door around 9 a clock, if someone wanted to go out for a smoke or fresh air we had to go out with them , and in this case only male volunteers were able to go out with guests. Then later on we cleaned up and helped around with sorting the food until the next shift didn't come until 11 :30. This was really a great thing to do and I am  planning to go there back again and help them out. I felt much better after doing this. It feels good to have an ability of putting a smile on someone's face by giving them food and other minor needs .