Latest News

Proposed Funding Cuts Threaten Permanent Supportive Housing Programs

Late last week, HUD announced devastating and disruptive changes to service funding for people experiencing homelessness. These changes will cause an estimated 170,000 people around the country to lose their housing, including 3,822 people in Chicago and 35 at Sarah’s Circle. At Sarah’s Circle, we provide a full continuum of services, including the Daytime Support Center, Interim Housing, Rapid Rehousing, and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). Each program is thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of a person on their journey out of homelessness. PSH provides long-term safety and security for our most vulnerable women: those with disabilities, seniors, and women…

More Than a Mail Room

Did you know that Sarah’s Circle provides mail service for women at our Daytime Support Center? Women without an address can have their mail sent to the Daytime Support Center so they’re able to safely receive important letters and packages. Read more about similar programs and why they are so important. Click here for the full article from ProPublica.

Winter Walk 2026!

We are pleased to invite you to our upcoming Winter Walk event. Save the date for Sunday March 8th of 2026 and join us at Uplift Community High School from 1 to 3PM to learn about the work we do, hear from a guest speaker, and walk through the stories of women experiencing homelessness in Chicago. Stay tuned for more information.

A Busy July

Summer can often be a slower time of the year for social service organizations like ours. Without the threat of freezing temperatures or the days with shorter daylight, there may be less urgency in seeking support. This summer, however, we have seen a significant uptick in visits to the Daytime Support Center. With the line to our Daytime Support Center even stretching down the block on occasion, evidence of increased need is undeniable. We’re not sure what to attribute this increase to but staff are working hard to meet the increased need. Monday through Friday the Daytime Support Center helps…

“Skinny” Budget Proposal Could Cut Major Funding

On Friday, May 2nd the Trump Administration released a “skinny” budget request that will cut United States Department of Housing and Development (HUD) spending by 44%. HUD funding is critical to Sarah’s Circle’s success in ending homelessness for women.   This budget request affects key HUD resources such as rental assistance, building and preserving affordable housing, public housing for seniors and people with disabilities, enforcement of fair housing and more.  Sarah’s Circle has served Chicago’s most vulnerable women for 46 years and we remain committed to doing so. If you are as concerned about the impact on women experiencing homelessness and the programs…

Associates Board Leadership Transition

As we step into a new season at Sarah’s Circle, we are filled with gratitude for the leadership that has guided our Associates Board and excitement for the next chapter ahead.  After four incredible years as President of the Associates Board, Tessa Banks is stepping down from her role. Tessa’s leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to Sarah’s Circle have left a lasting impact—not only on the women we serve, but also on every member of the Associates Board.  Reflecting on her time as President, Tessa shared: “It’s hard to find the right words to capture what the last four years…

Update on Federal Grant and Loan Pause

Earlier this week, the White House directed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to temporarily halt federal agencies from obligating or disbursing grants, loans, and financial assistance. This wide-ranging directive jeopardized critical funding for rental assistance, the preservation of affordable housing, public housing for seniors and people with disabilities, enforcement of fair housing and civil rights laws, disaster relief, and more. Thanks to swift and widespread advocacy, this harmful directive has now been rescinded. The systems that allow federal grantees to access funds are back online, and HUD technical assistance has resumed. However, the confusion and disruption caused by…

It’s Winter Walk Season!

Sarah’s Circle would like to invite you for our 33rd annual Winter Walk: A Mile in Her Shoes on March 9th, 2025 from 1-3 PM at Uplift Community High School! For over three decades, this event has highlighted the harsh reality of women’s homelessness during the deadly cold of Chicago’s winters. This event is a one-mile journey through Uptown “in the shoes” of a woman experiencing homelessness. Participants hear the real-life experiences of our clients and learn about how Sarah’s Circle ends homelessness for women. In the weeks leading up to the event, we have a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign to…

A Month of Festive Fun and Giving Back with the Associates Board

Our Associates Board spent a meaningful weekend with Sarah’s Circle, combining fun, fundraising, and hands-on service to support our mission. The weekend kicked off with our largest-ever “Sweaters” event at Lincoln Tap, where attendees wore their ugliest holiday sweaters and mingled, participated in raffles, and enjoyed delicious food and drinks. The event was a festive celebration of community, and thanks to the generosity of all who attended, it was our most successful Sweaters event to date, and we raised over $2,600! But the giving didn’t stop there. The Associates Board also volunteered their time in the kitchen, cooking and serving…

You can help us expand our Permanent Supportive Housing program and ensure more women have safe, stable homes

Celebrate Giving Season by Supporting Sarah’s Circle

For over 40 years, Sarah’s Circle has been dedicated to ending homelessness for women in Chicago. We know this work takes time and persistence, but we’re in it for the long haul—committed to ensuring that every woman has a safe, permanent place to call home. At the heart of our work is Permanent Supportive Housing. This is more than just a solution to homelessness; it’s a lifeline. By combining stable, affordable housing with vital services like case management, workshops, and access to resources, Permanent Supportive Housing gives women the tools they need to heal, rebuild, and thrive. This year, we…

We Cut the Ribbon at Sarah’s on Lakeside!

On November 7th, we cut the ribbon at our third building, Sarah’s on Lakeside! We had an evening of celebration with an open house and tours of the new facilities, tasty snacks and drinks, and inspiring words from guest speakers, including 46th Ward Alderperson Angela Clay, City of Chicago Department of Housing Commissioner Lissette Castañeda, Illinois State Representative Hoan Huynh, and Sarah’s Circle leadership. Read the Block Club Chicago article about the Ribbon Cutting ceremony here. With the opening of this new building, Sarah’s Circle can now provide Permanent Supportive Housing to 28 more women who were homeless, bringing our total…

September is Hunger Action Month

Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month, a time to raise awareness about hunger in our communities and take action. For individuals experiencing homelessness, hunger is a daily reality that compounds their struggles. At Sarah’s Circle, we understand that the lack of access to nutritious food is a barrier to stability and well-being, which is why our food program is an essential part of the services we provide.  Hunger and homelessness are deeply intertwined, especially for women facing extreme poverty. According to Feeding America, nearly 34 million people in the U.S. are food insecure. Those experiencing homelessness often face hunger at much…