HOW

Less than two weeks until HOW's 5th Annual 5K at Horner Park! You can choose between an officially timed 5K run, or the option to walk at your own pace - and we can't wait to see you & yours at our afterparty at Burning Bush Brewery afterwards!

All proceeds go directly to our clients, ensuring vital access to supportive housing and wraparound support services. Register here:

https://crm.enmotive.com/events/2024-how-5k

Looking for dinner & drinks? 👀 We're excited to team up with Farm Bar this quarter for their amazing Giving Tuesday program!

Every Tuesday, when dining at either Farm Bar location, you can let your server or bartender know that you’d like to donate 20% of your bill to Housing Opportunities for Women.

See you at Farm Bar – where great food meets community impact! Look for HOW at both Lakeview & Ravenswood locations. 🙂

𝙏𝙝𝙚 #1 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨. These items are not covered by SNAP/ Link benefits and are often an added expense that clients simply cannot afford. Having a clean home instills pride, aids in health by stopping the spread of germs, and leads to overall better mental health.

To help meet this need, HOW is hosting a Spring Cleaning Drive to collect cleaning supplies for our clients!

Message us directly or contact Gretchen Goetzman at (941) 920-0178 to schedule a drop-off.

Mark your calendars now for HOW's 5th annual 5K!

This year we're partnering with CARA and Chicago Race Management to provide a timed, microchipped 5K race as well as an untimed walking option at Horner Park, with an afterparty at Burning Bush Brewery.

All proceeds from our 5K go directly to providing supportive housing & wraparound support services to our clients experiencing homelessness.

Register here: https://crm.enmotive.com/events/2024-how-5k

Come grab a bite to eat tonight at Portillos 520 W Taylor location- 20% of sales will go directly to HOW!

Use code PORTILLOS43 before checkout in the "Apply Offer" field if you're ordering for pick-up or drive thru, or show the following flyer or a digital version to cashier when ordering at the restaurant!

Founded 40 years ago as a woman-serving organization, HOW has since expanded to provide critical support to those of all gender identities.

However, 93% of the clients that we serve still represent female-led family households.

HOW is also proud be a female-led organization, with our CEO, President of the Board of Directors, and Board Secretary (amongst many other women) providing agency guidance and strong leadership.

This International Women's Day, we believe more strongly than ever: investing in women accelerates progress for all.

Loving these pieces created by students in HOW's Art Club: "The first piece is about radiating confidence and virtue. The second one is about being yourself and being true to who you are." ❤️

HOW continues to celebrate Black History month by featuring the work of Margaret Taylor Burroughs, a vital figure in linking Chicago’s art scene & community organizing efforts.

Burroughs is perhaps best remembered for her seminal role in preserving and promoting the legacy of Black contributions to art, culture, and history through her establishment of the DuSable Museum of African American History and the South Side Community Art Center: offering support to working artists and instilling a sense of pride and respect for the value of art and challenging the status quo in her community.

A visual artist and writer, when asked years later about the origins of her interest in African American history, Burroughs responded: “I just couldn’t see myself standing in front of a group of eager-eyed young black people and not being able to tell them something very positive about themselves. . . . So I began to dig out information about our people and share it.”

𝑰𝒏 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍-𝑻𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓, 1967
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝑺𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑨𝒓𝒕 𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓, 3831 𝑺 𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝒗𝒆
𝑵𝒐𝒘, 𝑹𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒘!, 1999

In honor of Black History month, this year HOW continues to honor Black artists such as poet Toi Derricotte, born April 12, 1941.

“Derricotte is a recipient of the 2023 Pegasus Award for Service in Poetry. In 1996, she co-founded Cave Canem, an organization committed to furthering artistic and professional opportunities for Black poets. Derricotte served as chancellor of the Academy of American Poets from 2012–2017, and she is a professor emerita at the University of Pittsburgh.”

A Black woman who writes about race and identity, this phrase appears in the opening of her series “The Telly Cycle” from her 2011 book of poetry The Undertaker’s Daughter:

“𝑱𝒐𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆,”

This line conveys a message about the power of defiance against oppression: the idea that defiant Black joy is a valuable & vital tool in the rebuilding of strength.

In celebration of Black History Month, HOW is highlighting Black artists who have served as agents of change with their craft.

Faith Ringgold is an American painter, painting on different materials including textiles, a published author, mixed media sculptor, and performance artist, perhaps best known for her narrative quilts - a medium traditionally associated with “women’s work.” Ringgold is considered a vital intersectional activist; connecting the multidisciplinary practices of the Harlem Renaissance to the political art of contemporary Black artists working today:

“For 60 years, Ringgold has drawn from personal autobiography and collective histories to both document her life as an artist and mother and to amplify collective struggles for social justice and equity. From creating some of the most indelible artworks of the civil rights era to challenging accepted hierarchies of art versus craft, Ringgold has produced a body of work that bears witness to the complexity of the American experience.”

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘨 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘸, 1970
𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢, 1971
𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘦𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘈𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘴, 1991

Check out more of Ringgold's work & impact at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago now through February 25th!

We're so grateful for the incredible support of our friends at McGrath Evanston Subaru for visiting our office to personally deliver a bundle of children's shoes, socks, and warm winter coats - the children & families in our program will be staying warm & protected thanks to your generosity!

🧸🎁 Making holiday plans?

Add Do Good Sunday: Brunch For A Cause & Toy Drive at The Long Room to your list! Come out and enjoy drinks as well as a delicious brunch menu from Nice Guy Food Co: and bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to HOW's youth clients so that they can celebrate the holidays with something special.

We'll also be having a raffle featuring amazing prizes from local businesses & partner organizations across the city!

25% of all bar sales will be donated to support HOW's work! We can't wait to see you there. 🎁🧸

2010: A shoutout to developing partnerships since our inception: HOW’s advocacy network has grown over the years, becoming active members of the Supportive Housing Providers Association (SHPA). SPHA is an organization that collaborates with non-profits state-wide to advocate for providers and residents of supportive housing. HOW is also an active member of the Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness, a group that advocates across the city on behalf of participating non-profits for best practices, coordination and evaluation of Chicago’s Plan to End Homelessness, and management of government grants.

2008: A throwback to our 25th Anniversary celebration! HOW acquires 25 unit building on Jonquil Terrance and begins renovation. The Community based Center for Working Women opens, providing comprehensive career assistance, from job training to career placement advancement.

In its first year, the the Center opened a new office complete with a computer lab assisting nearly 300 women - hosting more than 50 workshops, including mock interviews, GED prep, online job applications, credit repair, budgeting, savings, home ownership, job retention and pre-employment workshops.

Make a contribution today in support of moving our work forward!
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E7990&id=65

1999: HOW acquires a second building and prepares to serve families as families become fastest growing homeless population.

40 years into our work, HOW owns and operates 62 units of housing in five buildings - three in Rogers Park, one in South Shore and a newly constructed 16 units of affordable housing in Evanston. The remaining units are scattered across Chicagoland.

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E7990&id=65

It's our birthday month and we are excited to celebrate HOW's lasting impact in the lives of our remarkable clients over the past 40 years! We'll be sharing some of our milestones throughout the day, and in the months to come.

Founded in 1983 as the first transitional housing program serving unaccompanied homeless women in Chicago, HOW has come a long way and learned a lot about the communities in which we live and work, enabling over 30,000 people in the Chicago area to stabilize their lives and build new connections in our community – strengthening and touching each community throughout the metro area.

Please consider making a gift today to help us celebrate our birthday - and continue our work!

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E7990&id=65

With excessive heat expected this week, please check out these resources from our friends at DFSS to help keep yourself and your neighbors cool and safe!

Please join HOW in celebrating the 33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). On July 26th we celebrate this important civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

Read the Presidential proclamation here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/07/25/a-proclamation-on-anniversary-of-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-2023/

July 14th is International Non-Binary People’s Day!

Today HOW celebrates diversity and authenticity in our community in support of those who identify as non-binary. We continue to advocate for full protections and rights for all gender expressions and identities.

Some non-binary milestones:

+2003: Australian law is the first to formally recognize the existence of non-binary people.

+2012: First Non-Binary People’s Day is inaugurated and celebrated.

+2017: California passes the 2017 Gender Recognition Act "to ensure that inters*x, transgender, and nonbinary people have state-issued identification documents that provide full legal recognition of their accurate gender identity.

+2021: The American Medical Association makes a public statement recommending that the s*x marker should be removed from the public-facing part of birth certificates.

Check out the Trevor Project’s Guide to non-binary allyship here: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/guide/a-guide-to-being-an-ally-to-transgender-and-nonbinary-youth/

LESS THAN TWO WEEKS TO GO!

Are you registered & ready for HOW's 5K+ on Sunday, June 4th at Horner Park? Our event will offer a designated course for runners, walkers, bikers, etc, as well as a playground, dog park, and nature area: bring the whole family!

Register here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/how5k/

Kids and furry friends are also welcome at our after-party at Burning Bush Brewery - just a short walk across the park, where we hope you join us for some food and drinks to celebrate HOW's work, and our community coming together for a day in the park.

It's almost time! Is your team in the lead?

Register here, and see which 5K teams are leading the charge in HOW's biggest agency fundraising event of the year: https://lnkd.in/g3SyXNUg

Registrants will receive a HOW t-shirt, and a chance to create a team and connect with friends through crowdfunding. Our afterparty at Burning Bush Brewery will feature food and drinks - and time to celebrate!

Our clients rely on us, and we rely on you.

See you at the 5K+!

Now’s your chance to double your impact!

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, every dollar you donate to our 5K+ will be matched!

Have you registered yet?

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/how5k/

We're only 30 DAYS AWAY from once again welcoming supporters, community members, and friends from all around to participate in HOW's 5K Plus on Sunday June 4th, 2023!

Have you registered yet? 👀
Register here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/how5k/

Registrants will receive a HOW t-shirt, and a chance to create a team and connect with friends through crowdfunding. Our afterparty at Burning Bush Brewery will feature food and drinks - and time to celebrate!

All proceeds from the 5K Plus enable the agency to deliver safe, high-quality housing and expanding our support services with initiatives like:

+Adding new housing that targets underserved populations
+Investing in academic and vocational skill building
+Improving quality of life for people living with disabilities

Our clients rely on us, and we rely on you.

See you at the 5K+!

Join HOW's Associate Board at Happy Camper on Sunday, May 7th for a game of bingo, and an opportunity to network with other young professionals who are passionate about making a difference!

Grab a drink and a bite to eat, and learn more about HOW's work and all of the ways that you can get involved.

All proceeds from bingo will help us continue to provide housing, resources, wraparound support services and programming for those experiencing housing instability and homelessness.

We'd love to see you there!

A big thanks to volunteers, staff, and members of HOW's Board of Directors & Associate Board for giving our Jonquil building a spring refresh: planting yew bushes, lilies, and other annuals to help create a beautiful space for residents to enjoy as the weather (finally!) warms up!

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

HOW is excited to “host” our fourth annual 5K Plus! This do-it-yourself style event encourages participants to walk, run, bike, or complete their own customized activity at their own pace, time, and location. This year, we're excited to also offer an in-person course at Horner Park.

We are excited to once again welcome supporters, community members, and friends from all around to participate in HOW's 5K Plus on Sunday June 4, 2023!

All proceeds from the 5K Plus enable the agency to deliver safe, high-quality housing and wraparound support services. This critical support ensures individuals and families experiencing homelessness are able to rebuild their lives and keep themselves and others in their community safe and healthy.

REGISTER TODAY AT: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/how5k/

HOW is on the news! Tune in to NBC 5 at 4pm this afternoon for a Women's History Month segment that features interviews with our CEO, President of the Board of Directors, and our Board Secretary: a graduate of HOW's program. Learn more about the work that we do, and Candy's incredible journey as we celebrate women this month - and every day.

During February's Black History Month, (and every day!) HOW is proud to celebrate Chicago leaders who have worked tirelessly to uplift their communities: championing housing equity, urban reform, and better lives for all.

The Chicago Freedom Movement, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., James Bevel, and Al Raby, challenged systemic racial segregation and discrimination in Chicago and its suburbs, focusing on homeownership and rental injustices facing Black families. Dr. King and his staff visited tenants in apartments with unsafe conditions: without heat, rat-infested, dangerous, not regularly repaired by the landlords, etc. These unsafe and unaffordable housing conditions became the focus of tenant organizing over the course of 1966, including rallies, protest marches, boycotts, and other forms of non-violent direct action. Organizers hoped that by changing the laws and practices to allow open housing, Black homeowners would be able to purchase homes in any area they could financially afford and would receive access to improved housing, better schools, and greater job opportunities. The Chicago Freedom Movement lasted from mid-1965 to early 1967 and is credited with the creation of the Fair Housing Act.

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 protected people from discrimination when renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities. The Act prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, s*x, (and as amended) disability and family status. The Act also determines that it constitutes illegal discrimination to threaten, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right.

HOW continues our Black History Month profiles this week, highlighting those who have championed urban reform and building community.

Dorothy Gautreaux was a community organizer, Civil Rights activist, and Altgeld Gardens resident who was instrumental in the desegregation of public housing: winning class-action lawsuits against the Chicago Housing Authority for unjust housing practices. Assisted by the ACLU in 1966, Gautreaux and three other public housing residents initiated the nation’s first public housing desegregation lawsuit, alleging that the CHA built p***c housing solely in low income areas with high concentrations of minorities: racial discrimination that directly violated the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In a decree of consent, the court ordered that CHA provide scattered-site housing for residents currently residing in public housing projects in areas with high concentrations of poverty.

The Gautreaux Project became known as the first social housing project based on a randomized experiment: the CHA distributed Section 8 housing vouchers to 7500 Black families on welfare in either suburban or urban areas - applicants were offered placement in private apartment units in either city or suburban locations chosen at random by the CHA, and most accepted the placement. As a result of the project, scattered-site housing was built on a small scale and dispersed in neighborhoods throughout the city, and CHA could no longer construct new public housing in areas of the city that were predominantly Black unless they built as many in racially diverse areas.