Housing Forward Shelter in the Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors

Housing Forward in our Oak Park Ministry Site
- The Housing Forward Emergency Overnight Shelter at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Ministry Site is available for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness year-round - Housing Forward and St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish are thrilled to continue our partnership to provide the 15-bed shelter that we launched in January 2023.
  
  The shelter is located in the former rectory on the St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Ministry Site. Modeled after our former PADS emergency shelter model, shelter guests also receive a hot dinner, a continental breakfast and a to-go lunch, access to laundry and personal hygiene facilities. Unlike PADS, there will be no rotating location, and guests can sleep at the shelter from 7:00 PM to 6:30 AM every night.
  
  > Housing Forward Website
  
  HOUSING FORWARD UPDATE - OCTOBER 2025 - Housing Forward’s new permanent emergency shelter for 40 guests is scheduled to open in October at 112 S. Humphrey in Oak Park. Many hands and hearts are needed to prepare for welcoming the guests. Please see volunteer opportunities below!
Volunteers Are Needed!
- Volunteers are a key to the success of the emergency shelter and they are a very important part of assisting with daily operations and to provide meals for shelter guests. Between the emergency overnight shelter and the Interim Housing Program, we provide 1,260 meals every week! Individuals and groups are welcome to be part of creating a safe and stable place for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
  
  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
  Dinner Providers - Prepare hot dinner meal for 40 to be dropped off by 7:00 PM. Dinner providers can also volunteer for evening hosting if they want to stay and serve.
  Breakfast Providers - Donate breakfast supplies for 40 (cereal, fruit, juice, yogurt, etc.).
  Lunch Providers - Donate bagged lunches for 40 (sandwiches, chips, fruit, cookies, etc.) for guests to take with them when leaving the shelter the next day.
  Evening Hosting - 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM (shift can be split) - Interact with guests, set up, and clean up.
  Morning Hosting - 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM - Assist with breakfast and clean-up.
  
  Both INDIVIDUAL and GROUP volunteers are welcome and much needed.
  
  Volunteers can sign up for one day, a few days, or ideally for an ongoing monthly commitment.
  
  To learn more about the shelter program, meal opportunities, and volunteer opportunities, contact Cherrell Jackson, Volunteer and Volunteer Outreach Manager, at [email protected] or via phone at (708) 338-1724 ext. 201.
  
  For groups interested in volunteering, visit Housing Forward’s Volunteer page:
  > Housing Forward Volunteer Sign-Up
  WANT TO HELP BUT CAN’T VOLUNTEER? - Housing Forward needs supplies to help stock the shelter. Please consider purchasing a NEW housewarming item at the link below as we prepare to welcome people into the new space.
  > Housing Forward Emergency Shelter House2Home List
Donations Needed! - “When I was Hungry, You Gave Me to Eat”
- MEAL DONATIONS - The Homeless Shelter has experienced an all-time low in meal donations for the homeless and Housing Forward has not received sufficient donations of meals. It’s not typical to have a shelter all year-round and when one thinks of a shelter one thinks more of the dark, cold winter months. Now that the shelter is year-round, the guests at the shelter desperately need your help not only with volunteering but also with donations for meals.
  
  MONETARY DONATIONS - The shelter has gone well in large part due to the support of many volunteers who helped with meals and other needed essentials. The monetary donations received are very helpful as well. If you would like to help, please send a gift to the office with “Shelter donation” marked on the envelope OR you can make a donation online by using the button below. Any donation will be welcomed!
  
  > Donate to Housing Forward Online