Our Impact
January – December 2019
796
Women helped
582
Case management participants
110
Women found their home
310
Interim housing program participants
189
Women served through art therapy
Sarah’s Circle has been a safe haven in times of crisis for countless women since 1979. From our start, we have envisioned a safe and secure home for every woman in Chicago. In 2020, we are still working day in and day out to achieve this goal.
The women we serve are some of the most vulnerable people in Chicago, and without extensive support services it can be extremely difficult for women experiencing homelessness to change their circumstances. By providing Permanent Supportive Housing we are serving these women with the most effective solution to homelessness – a permanent home they can call their own.
Ultimately, the goal of all of Sarah’s Circle’s programming is to help women in Chicago experiencing homelessness find permanent housing. In total, we serve about 800 women each year, helping approximately 100 find a permanent home.
“If not for Sarah’s Circle, I’d still be out on the streets, ready to give up on life… who knows where I’d be? Now I can be me and live my truth.”
Coco, Sarah’s Circle client
Demographics of Women Served by Sarah’s Circle
| 100% are women with low incomes; approximately 51% have no income |
| 100% face a shortage of affordable housing |
| 67% are ages 18-54; 33% are 55 years or older |
| 78% are women of color |
| 53% are homeless for the first time, while 33% are chronically homeless |
| 37% are survivors of domestic violence |
| 33% struggle with a severe mental health condition |
| 27% are currently living on the street or in a place not meant for human habitation |
| 15% have a physical disability |
| 14% have a chronic health condition |
2019 Accomplishments
Sarah’s Circle is incredibly proud of its work to provide high-quality services and solutions to women experiencing homelessness in Chicago. Our 2019 accomplishments include:
| Provided basic needs and supportive services to 796 women across all of our programs |
| Served 582 women through case management, a 35% increase over 2018 |
| Helped 110 women transition into permanent housing |
| Helped 93% of women in our 2018 PSH program retain their home for at least one year |
| Supported 37 women in gaining employment |
| Provided a safe, temporary home for 310 women in our Interim Housing Program |
To learn more about our impact, please view our latest Annual Report.
