HR0383 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0383 LRB104 13599 LAW 26205 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Lincoln Park Community Services (LPCS) in Chicago on the occasion of its 40th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, LPCS was founded in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago when a handful of community members gathered to offer support to their neighbors facing homelessness in 1985; for years, the organization operated through and offered shelter within four community churches, Saint Clement Church, Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, Church of Our Savior, and St. Pauls United Church of Christ (UCC), before establishing a location of its own; and

WHEREAS, LPCS has grown from a seasonal overnight shelter to a year-round, multi-site operation housing 120 individuals facing homelessness each night while still working alongside the four community churches from which it originated, as these churches continue to provide integral community support and engage regularly in the organization's mission; and

WHEREAS, LPCS bases its mission on bringing communities together to empower individuals facing homelessness and poverty to secure stable housing and make sustainable life changes, and the organization strives to adhere to its values of empathy, equity, integrity, and accountability; and

WHEREAS, LPCS offers five core programs to individuals facing homelessness and poverty, Interim Housing, Independent Community Living, Drop-In Services, Street Outreach, and Graduate Community & Support; and

WHEREAS, LPCS's Interim Housing Program features two interim housing facilities, or shelters, that provide 24-hour residence, safety, and support to 83 guests experiencing homelessness each day, with case managers offering individualized support and goal-setting support using the organization's "On Track" method in three tracks, addiction recovery, mental and physical health, and employment and education; annually, the organization serves 250 individuals through interim housing; and

WHEREAS, LPCS's Independent Community Living Program (ICLP) facilitates permanent supportive housing for 17 individuals living with disabilities; additionally, the organization houses and supports 20 individuals through project-based units at its Sedgwick Old Town location, and it serves 37 individuals annually through permanent supportive and affordable housing, several of whom are graduates of its interim housing community; and

WHEREAS, LPCS's Drop-In Services Program offers a range of daily drop-in, supportive services tailored for individuals currently facing street-based homelessness, and these services include access to showers, laundry facilities, clothing, toiletries, meals, referrals, and case management; through these drop-in services, the organization annually assists over 200 individuals; and

WHEREAS, LPCS's Street Outreach Program operates in partnership with the City of Chicago to offer support to individuals experiencing homelessness on the streets, and its Street Outreach team is committed to engaging with people in encampments, parks, and various community spaces not meant for habitation; the organization's goal is to provide essential services such as food and clothing while also facilitating access to critical resources, including case management, benefits, and housing; and

WHEREAS, LPCS's Graduate Community & Support Program provides ongoing support to former interim housing guests, including case management and access to the pantry and closet, in order to ensure continued success into independent housing, and at least one representative from the graduate community serves on the organization's board of directors; annually, the organization serves approximately 80 graduates; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Lincoln Park Community Services (LPCS) on achieving its 40th anniversary, and we thank LPCS for its continued dedication to serving its community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Lincoln Park Community Services as an expression of our esteem and respect.