The purpose of PADS is to provide shelter for the homeless during the cold months of the year. Each guest will be registered, provided a "pads" to sleep on with linens, a hot dinner, breakfast and a bag lunch.
Coordinators: Mary Ellen O'Donnell, Fr. Frank
Hours of Operation: October-April Fridays 6pm-7:30am Saturday
Phone: (708) 343-6120
WHO UTILIZES WEST SUBURBAN PADS OVERNIGHT SHELTER?
Who are PADS' guests? PADS guests include single men and women, couples, and families with children. Our service area includes six townships and twenty-one communities in the near west suburbs. During the 2003-2004 season, PADS served 462 number of individuals. The average length of stay was 18 nights. People who find themselves homeless come from all walks of life, they are young and old, and from all ethnic groups and backgrounds. 39% (percent) have jobs and one-third are veterans of war. The majority of individuals currently served are from the communities where shelter sites are located. Unfortunately, distance often prevents homeless individuals who are from communities where shelter sites don't exist from obtaining basic shelter.
Why do our guests need overnight shelter and other services? There are many reasons why people become homeless. Some people encounter events beyond their control, such as job loss, apartments converted to condominiums, domestic abuse or a long- term illness. Some of our guests have substance abuse problems or mental illness, and unfortunately many of these people are released from residential care facilities with nowhere to go and little or no follow-up care. Also, in our current job market there are fewer jobs available for those lacking specific skills. Job loss leaves many candidates vying for what jobs are available, and those who find minimum or low-end wage jobs cannot support themselves. As the cost of housing rises and the number of living-wage jobs available decreases, many people find themselves unable to make ends meet. 2003-2004 Emergency Shelter Statistics 462 unduplicated shelter guest served 10,766 nights of shelter provided 12 families with children 32,444 meals provided (dinner/breakfast/lunch) Number of nights open, 242 Average length of stay, 18 nights
Why is West Suburban PADS a good model for providing shelter? West Suburban PADS has over 10 years of experience in providing safe nights of shelter for those who find themselves homeless. Staff and volunteers at PADS surround homeless individuals and families with a support network based on dignity, equality and respect. Since the host sites provide shelter on a rotating basis, the burden on any one site or area is minimized, while community involvement and ownership is expanded. PADS is a largely volunteer organization. Many different groups contribute to the success of PADS, some volunteer for a shift, some prepare and bring meals. Overall, the PADS model works to effectively address a critical need.
Why are more shelter sites needed? Two big reasons. Last year, due to current shelter capacity limits, West Suburban PADS had to deny people shelter 517 times. We also know that not every person who is homeless in our service area is counted in this number. How many people who are homeless from Hillside, Franklin Park or Berkeley did not attempt to get an Oak Park shelter because it was too far away?
How many people who are homeless from Maywood, Melrose Park or Elmwood Park did not attempt to get a current shelter site because they knew they might be turned away?
