‘They always provide’: JOURNEYS offers a lifeline and a path out of homelessness
Food, clothing and shelter. These are the basic necessities of life.
But amid rising housing costs, employment insecurity and challenging family situations, many find themselves unable to obtain one or more of these needs.
JOURNEYS The Road Home provides a lifeline — and a path.
The Palatine-based agency is one of five charitable organizations set to receive grants from the Daily Herald/Robert R. McCormick Foundation's Neighbors in Need fundraising campaign.
Last year, JOURNEYS served 1,051 people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. It was the fifth consecutive year of growth for the nonprofit organization.
Its services range from overnight stays, meals, showers and laundry, to mental health counseling, job training and transportation. Its shelter in Palatine hosts 50 to 70 people daily, and JOURNEYS also partners with PADS shelters operated by 12 faith communities.
Among those receiving help this year is Lissy Samuel, who stays at the Palatine shelter with her two sons. A certified ICU nurse for more than a decade, she said she fled an abusive marriage six years ago with her three children, including a daughter who has since enlisted in the U.S. Navy.
After Samuel lost her contract job, she and her sons lost their home. She moved the family into a Schaumburg hotel, but when they ran out of money, police helped them connect with JOURNEYS.
At JOURNEYS, she found clothing, food, counseling and health care.
“The service that JOURNEYS provides is very good. Your basic needs are met,” she said.
Marcelino Gonzalez II, an Arlington Heights resident, veteran and father, said costly legal battles over parenting rights forced him into bankruptcy. While he has a home nearby, Gonzalez visits JOURNEYS for clothing and food.
“They always provide for my needs and for my children,” he said.
The organization prides itself on its success stories. Among them is a man named Burgess, who joined the Marines at 19, served 4⅟₂ years active duty and then 30 years in Army Reserve. After a job loss, he was sleeping in his car before coming to JOURNEYS. Once he had shelter, Burgess was able to return to work and save enough money to secure an apartment.
The agency says it provided 25,751 total services last year to residents across 37 North and Northwest suburban Cook County communities. Case managers conducted 10,396 sessions, helped 153 people transition into stable housing and prevented 403 people from losing their housing, officials say.
The need is growing. Illinois experienced a 116% increase in homelessness last year, the highest jump in state history, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
To accomplish its mission, JOURNEYS employs about 35 full- and part-time staff members, and leans heavily on approximately 2,000 volunteers. Among them is Des Plaines resident Amy Laskiewicz, a former teacher.
Laskiewicz, whose service includes checking in guests and setting up new clients with paperwork, said she enjoys working with the people who come in.
The agency also works closely with municipal governments, police, libraries and faith organizations.
“We would not be here without our community,” said Shaina Makani, JOURNEYS’ grants and database manager.
The Neighbors in Need grant program benefits organizations focused on issues of hunger, homelessness and health care. The McCormick Foundation will contribute 50 cents for every dollar Daily Herald readers donate to the campaign.
To learn more or make a donation, visit mccormickfoundation.org/partnerships.
JOURNEYS The Road Home
Where: 1140 E Northwest Highway, Palatine
Service area: JOURNEYS serves 37 communities in the North and Northwest suburbs.
How to help: To donate to the Neighbors in Need campaign, visit dailyherald.com/neighbors.
More info: Call (847) 963-9163 or visit www.journeystheroadhome.org.