Watch | FIRSTHAND: Homeless

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Yolanda

Lives in an encampment on the north side after being evicted from the CHA's Lathrop Homes.

For more than 30 years, Yolanda has lived in and around Chicago’s Lathrop Homes, but an eviction landed her on the street. Known as “The Auntie” of Lathrop Homes, Yolanda lives in a tent only feet away from the abandoned housing development she once called home. Without food and money, and facing the harsh reality of Chicago’s brutal cold, Yolanda's desire for housing grows increasingly urgent.

Documentaries

Yolanda

Lives in an encampment on the north side after being evicted from the CHA's Lathrop Homes.

For more than 30 years, Yolanda has lived in and around Chicago’s Lathrop Homes, but an eviction landed her on the street. Known as “The Auntie” of Lathrop Homes, Yolanda lives in a tent only feet away from the abandoned housing development she once called home. Without food and money, and facing the harsh reality of Chicago’s brutal cold, Yolanda's desire for housing grows increasingly urgent.

Jackie

Mother of 3 has a falling-out with family and lands in a shelter.

A mother of three young children, Jackie found herself in need of housing after an altercation with her family. The challenges of being an unhoused mother led her to A Safe Haven. With the organization’s help, Jackie can work part time, keep her children in school, and try to live a somewhat ‘normal life.’

Dan

Homeless for 12 years, Dan struggles with drug addiction and dangerous living conditions.

Dan’s journey to homelessness started about 12 years ago after eviction from his suburban home. The streets of downtown Chicago soon became his new home, but navigating life on the streets has been challenging. Avoiding crimes against the homeless, and tackling an on-going heroin addiction are immediate concerns for Dan.

Brian

49-year-old hoping to finally break out of the cycle of homelessness and incarceration.

Brian walked into St. Leonard’s Ministries with the goal of leaving homelessness behind him. He’s taking advantage of his new life and repairing broken family relationships after years of couch surfing and sleeping in vehicles. Brian is making his voice heard through advocacy work with the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

Kimberly

Young mother living in temporary shelter with her 18-month-old.

21-year-old Kimberly and her toddler daughter found themselves in Chicago with nowhere to go. Sleeping in shelters, hospital emergency rooms and cars wasn’t safe. Knowing her mental health struggles would be intensified by homelessness, Kimberly found help with the assistance of a Chicago transitional housing organization.

Talks

Tiny Homes, Big Solutions

Tracy Baim examines the use of tiny homes one possible solution to homelessness.

Tracy Baim, co-Founder of Pride Action Tank and Windy City Times, examines the use of tiny homes one possible solution to homelessness and the affordable housing crisis.

Tracy Baim
Co-Founder, Pride Action Tank and Windy City Times

Building Our Way Out

Nicole Bahena puts focus on using available funding to create affordable housing.

Nicole Bahena, Vice President at Community Partnerships, All Chicago asserts that homelessness is a housing problem that can be addressed with a new focus on using available funding to create affordable housing.

Nicole Bahena
Vice President, Community Partnerships, All Chicago

Invisible No More

Shelly Tucciarelli explores affordable housing development for Native Americans.

Shelly Tucciarelli,Executive Director at Visionary Ventures, explores the foundation of the first affordable housing development for Native Americans in Chicago’s history.

Shelly Tucciarelli
Executive Director, Visionary Ventures

Finding a Way Home

Sharday Hamilton shares how public services failed her as a homeless teen mother.

Sharday Hamilton, Youth Board Fellow at National Runaway Safeline, shares how the network of community and public services failed her as a homeless teen mother.

Sharday Hamilton
Youth Board Fellow, National Runaway Safeline