Sarah’s Circle’s primary goal is to end homelessness for women in Chicago. We provide services to single, unaccompanied women who are 18 years of age or older. Our programs utilize the Housing First model, have low barriers to entry, and use a trauma-informed approach. Across programs, Sarah’s Circle staff use best practices when providing case management and supportive services to help women achieve their goals. The programs have three overarching goals:
- We welcome all women with safety, respect, and community.
- Support women’s growth in all aspects of wellness: physical, emotional, life skills, economic, and the realization of their unique potential.
- Help each woman find her home.
Daytime Support Center
The Daytime Support Center provides a safe space, services to meet basic needs, educational and general-interest programming, and case management to help women find permanent housing and increase self-sufficiency.
Open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:30pm and located on the ground floor of 4838 N Sheridan Rd, women can access shower facilities, laundry, two nutritious meals prepared daily, coats during the winter, and hygiene supplies. We also have a computer lab and supplies for activities such as arts and crafts, which many women find therapeutic. If desired, women can meet with a case manager to work towards housing and other self-sufficiency goals.
The Daytime Support Center also serves as a mailing address for many women, which allows them to receive important documents and can act as a consistent address for job opportunities. Through community volunteers and staff, we also provide general interest groups and workshops. Topics can range from legal services, financial literacy, healthy nutrition, and arts and crafts. The community created in the Daytime Support Center helps women develop positive relationships, meet their basic needs, and move towards housing stability.
Interim Housing Program
The Interim Housing Program is a 50 bed, long-term shelter that serves women who are homeless. It is open and staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Women can have their basic needs met, access supportive services and case management, and enjoy 3 meals a day. Interim Housing provides immediate reprieve for women experiencing homelessness.
Once settled in, women have multiple resources available to them. All women work with a case manager who helps them in a variety of ways, mainly to find more stable housing. Women exit the program once they have secured stable housing.
Rapid Rehousing Program
The Rapid Rehousing Program is designed to help women end their homelessness within 30 days. Each program participant is assigned a case manager who helps her find housing and then provides support to help her stabilize in her new home. The program includes a rental subsidy and lasts 12-24 months.
Permanent Supportive Housing Program
Sarah’s Circle provides 176 units of Permanent Supportive Housing, offering women safe, private homes and ongoing supportive services to ensure housing stability. This housing model improves outcomes for individuals with the highest needs and helps reduce public costs associated with emergency room and shelter use.
