The CITYPAK Project
The CITYPAK is designed to give people who live on the streets a tool they can use to keep their personal belongings safe. Donate today! www.citypak.org/donate/
The CITYPAK Project was founded by lifelong Chicago resident, Ron Kaplan. Ron wanted to create something that would make life on the streets of Chicago a little easier. He shared his idea with Hank Bernbaum, president of Chicago-based High Sierra Sport Company, and later met with Mike Angelini, a member of High Sierraβs design team. The goal: to design and provide a useful, high quality backpack for the homeless.
π£ Share Your Story π£
Have you received a CITYPAK or know someone who has? Weβd love to hear how it has made a difference. Share your story with us and inspire others!
π Volunteer Appreciation Post π
A huge thank you to all our amazing volunteers who make our mission possible. Your dedication and hard work help us support those in need every day. You are true heroes! π
πͺ Motivational Monday πͺ
βAlone we can do so little; together we can do so much.β β Helen Keller.
Letβs start the week with a reminder of the power of community and collaboration.
π World Humanitarian Day π
Today, we honor all the humanitarian workers around the globe who dedicate their lives to helping others. At CITYPAK, we are inspired by their selflessness and commitment to improving our world! Join us in celebrating the heroes who bring hope, relief, and support to those in need. Together, we can make a difference. πβ¨
π Happy National Nonprofit Day! π Today, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of all nonprofit organizations making a difference in our world. Thank you for your commitment to creating positive change!
π Fun Fact Friday π Did you know that CITYPAK has distributed over 109,000 backpacks to those in need since our inception? Every pack makes a difference!
π International Youth Day π
Today, we recognize the power and potential of young people. We are especially grateful for our incredible partners who work tirelessly to support youth-in-need. Together, we strive to ensure that every young person has the resources and support they need to thrive.
π¦ Partner Spotlight: Renaissance Social Services π¦
Weβre shining a light on Renaissance Social Services and their incredible work in the Chicago community. Their commitment to ending homelessness in Chicago is truly inspiring.
πΈ Renaissance Social Services
π Partner Collaboration! π
We recently donated 70 PAKs to the Denver Dream Center to support their amazing work in helping neighbors-in-need. We're thrilled about this collaboration and hopeful it's just the beginning of many more to come. Together, we can make a lasting impact! π
πΏ August is National Wellness Month! πΏ While we believe in the power of wellness for everyone, our focus is on wellness for the unhoused. Unhoused individuals face unique challenges, and our mission is to alleviate some of the stress these challenges bring by providing sturdy, durable, and trusted backpacks for those in housing transition to store and carry their belongings. The smallest things can make a difference, and we know our contribution helps. π
π Welcome Hopeβs Table! π
We are delighted to announce that Hopeβs Table has joined us as a CITYPAK distribution partner! πβ¨
Hopeβs Table/ Chicago Temple serves the needs of Chicagoans who are homeless or hungry every Saturday morning, making a meaningful difference in the community. Their commitment to helping those in need complements our mission perfectly.
We're excited for this new partnership and the positive impact it will bring to Chicago! πποΈ
πΈ Hope's Table Chicago
π Welcome CMHA Hastings Prince Edward ! π
We are excited to announce that CMHA HPE Addictions and Mental Health Services in Belleville, ON, has joined us as a CITYPAK distribution partner! πβ¨
CMHA HPE Addictions and Mental Health Services provides essential services to individuals experiencing mental health challenges throughout Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. Their dedication to mental health support and community care perfectly complements our mission to assist those in need.
Join us in celebrating this new partnership and the positive impact it will bring to the community! ππ¨π¦
πΈ CMHA Hastings Prince Edward Addictions and Mental Health Services
π Welcome Awaken Chicago! π
We are excited to announce that Awaken Chicago has joined us as a CITYPAK distribution partner! πβ¨
Awaken Chicago embraces diversity of thought, experience, and people, and their dedication to serving the community resonates with our mission to support those in need.
Join us in celebrating this new partnership and the positive impact it will bring to Chicago! πποΈ
πΈ Awaken Chicago
π Exciting News! π
We are thrilled to welcome Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City, MI, as our newest CITYPAK distribution partner! ππ
Grace Episcopal Church is known for its unwavering commitment to welcome, outreach, and the transformational power of the Spirit. Their dedication to serving the community aligns perfectly with CITYPAK's mission to provide support and dignity to those experiencing homelessness.
Join us in celebrating this wonderful partnership and the positive impact it will bring to Traverse City! πβ¨
πΈ: Grace Episcopal Church, Traverse City, Michigan
It's been just over a year since our Nashville takeover, and we're still feeling the love! Over 1,000 CITYPAKs were donated to our Nashville neighbors in need during this incredible multi-stop distribution event. πβ€οΈ
These smiles say it all! We're honored to support our community by providing CITYPAKs to those in need. Thank you for helping us make a difference, one backpack at a time. πβ€οΈ
π Happy 4th of July! π
As we celebrate this special day, CITYPAK wishes all our partners, their employees, and everyone in their communities a joyful and safe Independence Day! πΊπΈβ¨
Thank you for your continued dedication to making a positive impact. Let's take a moment to reflect on the values of freedom, unity, and community that make this nation great.
Enjoy the time spent with loved ones. Happy 4th of July! π
π We see you Shower Power NYC! π
We are thrilled to announce that Shower Power NYC has joined us as a CITYPAK distribution partner! πβ¨
Shower Power NYC is dedicated to providing everyone in need with clean, safe, and convenient personal hygiene resources. Their commitment to enhancing personal dignity and well-being perfectly aligns with our mission of supporting those in need.
Join us in celebrating this new partnership and its positive impact on NYC! ππ½
πΈ: Shower Power
In the face of daunting statistics of global homelessness, CITYPAK stands committed. With over 140 million persons globally lacking homes, our durable backpacks (often filled with essential supplies by our partners) extend practical support and dignity. Together with our partners, we're doing all we can to tackle the challenges of inadequate shelter head-on. Take a look at our Impact Map for our current reach, then visit our website to learn more about our global distribution capabilities!
πΏβ¨ Excited to team up with Shower Power NYC to bring CITYPAKs to our NY neighbors in need! Shower Power provides essential toiletry kits, ensuring consistent access to hygiene products and facilities across the city. Looking forward to more collaborations ahead!
πΈ: Shower Power
Recipients of our backpacks love their durability, thoughtful design, and the dignity they bring. Donβt just take our word for itβwatch this video from a Nashville recipient! πβ€οΈ
πβ¨ Honoring World Refugee Day ππ
Today, on World Refugee Day, we extend our support and solidarity to refugees experiencing homelessness around the globe.
Through our partnership with Islamic Relief USA, CITYPAK provides essential backpacks to refugees, offering practical support and a glimmer of hope amidst challenging circumstances. These backpacks are more than just bagsβthey represent compassion, dignity, and the belief that everyone deserves a chance for a better tomorrow.
As we commemorate World Refugee Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to standing with refugees, offering them refuge, compassion, and support on their journey to rebuilding their lives. Together, we can make a difference and create a world where every refugee feels welcomed and valued. ππ
πΈ: Islamic Relief USA
πβ¨ At CITYPAK, we are honored to collaborate with our incredible partners who inspire us with their dedicated work within the LGBTQ+ community. Their efforts in supporting youth initiatives, promoting health and well-being, and assisting those in transitional housing are truly commendable:
Howard Brown Health (Broadway Youth Center, Chicago)
Center on Halsted (Chicago)
The Night Ministry (Chicago)
Covenant House California (Los Angeles)
Los Angeles LGBT Center (Los Angeles)
Covenant House International (New York)
Join us in thanking them for their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of so many within the LGBTQ+ community. Together, we are stronger! π³οΈβπβ€οΈ
Exciting news! Samsonite / High Sierra, Inc. is helping bring CITYPAK to London in 2024! π Big thanks for their support in expanding our reach in the U.K. and beyond. Stay tuned for updates on our London distributions! π¬π§β€οΈ
π Partner Spotlight: ShowerUp + BHCHP π
Shout out to two of CITYPAKβs incredible partners - Shower Up and Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program! They do amazing work serving their communities, and weβre honored to be part of their ongoing programs. πβ€οΈ
π Supporting LGBTQ+ Pride Month with CITYPAK πβ¨ At CITYPAK, we proudly stand with the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month, and every day of the year. As part of our ongoing commitment to inclusivity and support, CITYPAK backpacks are distributed to LGBTQ+ unhoused individuals across the world.
Every backpack distributed represents our dedication to providing essential items and dignity to all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We believe that everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and supported.
Join us in celebrating love, diversity, and acceptance this Pride Month and beyond! Together, we can create a world where everyone feels safe and respected. π³οΈβππ
+
A huge thanks to everyone who supported the CITYPAK distribution event with The New Orleans Mission last month! Their community absolutely loved our CITYPAKs! π
While significant strides were made in addressing homelessness in 2023 there are still numerous challenges that lie ahead. We saw tangible progress in areas such as increased funding for affordable housing and supportive services, yet a need for sustained efforts to tackle systemic issues like housing affordability, mental health support, and racial disparities in homelessness remains. Join the National Alliance to End Homelessness as they call for continued collaboration between policymakers, service providers, and communities in order to drive lasting solutions to homelessness. π
πΈ Sackcloth & Ashes | Humanity Showers
When our founder, Ron Kaplan, set out to devise a practical solution to ease the burdens of homelessness, he never imagined that his idea of crafting durable, comfortable, and functional backpacks for those in need would evolve into an organization that has assisted over 107,000 of our neighbors, empowering them to navigate their circumstances with increased ease and dignity! What a journey it's been so far! π
Our PAK saves lives! ππΌ CITYPAK plays a vital role in saving lives by providing essential support to individuals experiencing homelessness. Our PAKs serve as lifelines, offering a means to carry necessary belongings, and helping individuals navigate the challenges of life on the streets with greater ease and dignity. Our distribution partnerships play a crucial role in ensuring our PAKs reach those who need them most, where the PAKs ultimately make a tangible difference in their lives. ππ«Ά
πΈ: The Salvation Army Greater New York Division
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