Posted on June 26, 2023 View all news
Sarah’s Circle celebrated the start of construction on our third building, Sarah’s on Lakeside. The groundbreaking event was held next to the construction site at 4737 N Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60640 on Tuesday, June 27, at 10am. To watch ABC 7 news coverage click HERE or the Block Club coverage click HERE.
Speakers at the ceremony included Jan Schakowsky, United States Congresswoman; Marisa Novara, Chicago Commissioner of Housing; and Angela Clay, 46th Ward Alderperson, in addition to Sarah’s Circle leadership.
“We know that providing homes for people in need is possible, because Sarah’s Circle has done it for hundreds of women already,” said Kathy Ragnar, Executive Director of Sarah’s Circle. “Today, we’re doing more than just building housing – we’re breaking ground on permanent solutions for homelessness.”
Sarah’s on Lakeside will have 28 fully furnished studio apartments that will be used as Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for women experiencing homelessness. The new building will also provide additional program and communal space, a demonstration kitchen, and administrative offices. When completed, the building will bring Sarah’s Circle’s total number of PSH units to 101, effectively ending homelessness for more than 100 women at a given time.
“To have my own place where I can cook, bathe, and wash my clothes is so important. With what I’ve been through, I take nothing for granted,” said June Merritt, Board Member at Sarah’s Circle who has overcome homelessness. “It’s been amazing to see the progress we’ve made.”
“Sarah’s Circle gave me the stability that I’ve been looking for my whole life,” said Brooklyn, resident in Sarah’s Circle’s permanent housing who has overcome homelessness. “I’ve been on this earth for 24 years, and this is the first time I have what I need to move forward in my life.”
