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 2021, 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.
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our capacity was reduced to accommodate social distancing in Interim Housing, and the processes by which women are housed have changed, becoming more laborious. Fortunately, the burden placed by the pandemic has been lessened by the opening of our new facility, Sarah’s on Sheridan, enabling us to open an additional Interim Housing space and temporarily house more women.
We are grateful for the community support we have received in this past year, which has made the continuation of this important work possible.
“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 50% have no income |
| 100% face a shortage of affordable housing |
| 40% of clients are 55+ |
| 71% are BIPOC |
| 41% are survivors of domestic violence; 8% entered our program directly fleeing domestic violence |
| 31% are chronically homeless |
| 34% struggle with a severe mental health disorder |
| 4% of clients struggle with substance use |
| 40% are currently living on the street or in a place not meant for human habitation |
| 25% have a developmental/physical disability |
| 18% have a chronic health condition |
2021 Accomplishments
Sarah’s Circle is incredibly proud of its work to provide high-quality services and solutions to women experiencing homelessness in Chicago. Our 2021 accomplishments include:
| Provided basic needs and supportive services to 850 women across all of our programs |
| Served 537 women through case management |
| Helped 73 women transition into our Permanent Supportive Housing Program |
| Supported 104 women in our Rapid Rehousing Program |
| Provided a safe, temporary home for 310 women in our Interim Housing Program |
| 151 women have been placed in permanent housing, ending their homelessness |
To learn more about our impact, please view our latest Annual Report.
