Connections for the Homeless

10/23/2026

Thank you to Illinois Justice Project and Senator Adriane Johnson for inviting us and hosting a town hall on HB 624, the Home for Good bill!

The Home for Good bill creates a statewide program to help people returning home after incarceration access stable housing, rental assistance, case management and other support.

A special shoutout to our Associate Director of Advocacy-Lake County, Liz Nelson, for joining the conversation, and thank you to all the panelists for sharing their insights!

10/22/2026

Congratulations to our own Steve DeBretto on receiving the Outstanding Advocate Award from Connections for the Homeless!

Steve is a passionate advocate for attainable housing, which stems from his understanding of the important role that housing plays in economic development.

A thriving local economy depends on having housing options for people at every income level, ensuring that the talent businesses need can afford to live in the communities where they work.

Through his efforts at LCP, Steve helps educate municipal leaders, businesses, and community stakeholders about the critical connection between housing, workforce development, and community growth - all with the goal of expanding opportunities for residents across Lake County.

We’re proud to see Steve’s hard work recognized. Thanks to Liz Nelson and her team for this incredible honor.

10/22/2026

Calling all Evanstonians! Want to help literally build up your community? Join KABOOM! next week as they build a brand-new play space at Clyde Brummel Park. Sign up to help prep or build here: https://volunteer.kaboom.org/opportunity/a7XPK0000001l892AA/help-build-a-new-playspace-at-clyde-brummel-park

Mission #011: Can We Build It? YES — with your help! A new community-designed playground is coming to Clyde-Brummel Park, and before we build new playground memories, we want to hear about yours!

Your Mission: Think back to when you were a kid. What was your favorite thing on the playground? The swings? Monkey bars? The tallest slide you could find? Something else?

Tell us in the comments by Sept. 30 to complete Mission #011 and be entered for a chance to win four tickets to the Oct. 17 Zombie Scramble!

Extra credit: Then help us build a new generation of playground memories! The City of Evanston, KABOOM! and The Purpose & Calling Foundation are looking for volunteers to bring the new Clyde-Brummel Park playground to life.
-Prep Work: Oct. 27–28�-Build Day: Thursday, Oct. 29, 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
-Register to volunteer: https://bit.ly/4xHLtvK

No construction experience is needed—we’ll provide instructions, tools, materials, safety equipment, breakfast and lunch. Volunteer for the full day or choose a shift that works for you. Share your playground memory below, then sign up to help us build!

10/21/2026

Thank you to all who joined us at our October Milestone Celebration! And a huge congratulations to all our community partners, advocates, participants, volunteers, and staff who were honored for their recent achievements and contributions. 💗 It's always a good day when we can celebrate wins together as a community.

Pictures taken by Hex Hernandez, and our delicious meal was made by Queen Dinner Dash!

10/14/2026

J.Crew is teaming up with One Warm Coat and Connections for the Homeless to . Now through Dec. 31, J.Crew will be collecting coats for the individuals we serve! Stop by J. Crew's Old Orchard location to donate your gently worn coats and receive a coupon.

Since 2016, J.Crew has invited customers to participate in coat drives in their stores across the country. To date, this collaboration has provided warmth to more than 826,000 people.

This year, J.Crew’s coat drive runs from Oct. 14 through Dec. 31 at all stores nationwide. Customers are encouraged to bring in gently worn coats to donate, and will receive $25 off a purchase of $125+.

10/14/2026

Get ready with volunteers Hina, Cary, and Ava for a shift at Hilda’s Place! 🌅

Want to work a volunteer shift during our drop-in hours? Sign up for a volunteer orientation first through the link in our bio, and find all volunteer opportunities on our website.

10/02/2026

Here's what it's looking like down in Hilda's Place right now... 🤯😮🚧

10/01/2026

⛪️ What if land already owned by religious institutions could help create more affordable homes?

Join us Thursday, October 29 for a discussion about Yes, in God’s Back yard (YIGBY). This is the first webinar in Connections’ Keys to Home learning series.

Explore the policies, real-word examples, and possibilities behind YIGBY. ✨

🔗 Register: https://linktr.ee/connections4homeless

Keys to Home is a series of four educational webinars, leading up to a one-day conference in October 2027. Learn more by visiting: connect2home.org/keys-to-home

09/29/2026

Check out our new Drop-In on the first floor of Lake Street Church! This beautiful, brightly lit space is home to our daily drop-in services while Hilda's Place is under construction. Most services are still available on the first floor during construction, with the exception of laundry and showers.

If you want to help us keep our new space just as neat and clean as it is now, volunteer for drop-in refresh: https://connect2home.volunteerhub.com/vv2/?eventGroupId=413fcc8107074ec89bd140fae681a605&daysOfWeek=1

Find more information about the new space and renovation updates here: https://www.connect2home.org/renovation