Help Empower Women Who are Homeless in Chicago

With the re-opening of the economy, many employers are hiring. Sarah’s Circle sees this opportunity and has responded with a new program that connects clients to employment services. Now, women have access to services from Employment Boost and The Journey Forward, assisting them with resume writing and financial coaching. Women also have the support and guidance of a Case Manager as they navigate these resources and secure interviews, reentering the workforce.

El is a Case Manager in our Rapid Rehousing and Employment Services Program, where they help women who range anywhere from newly homeless and unemployed to those who have experienced homelessness for a while. According to El, the pairing is a natural fit, “One of the biggest goals for Rapid Rehousing during this time is to help support women to become independent. They need income. So the two roles really work well together.”

While Sarah’s Circle has ultimately always sought independence for the women we serve, this is the first time these elements of service are given a dedicated program. And just in the nick of time. Many clients are coming to Employment services for help writing and updating their resumes.

“The reception has been great. The job hiring process can be really tough and frustrating for everyone. Imagine how it must be for women experiencing homelessness,” says El, “They don’t have access to Wifi or computers, which is a barrier when so many employers are conducting remote interviews. We work with the women to make sure they have the access they need so they can show up.”

The cycle of homelessness and poverty endures in part due to the US criminal justice system. Behaviors that are linked to mental illness or are vital to the existence and survival of unhoused people are deemed illegal.

People experiencing homelessness suffer from mental illness far more prevalently than the general population. In 2020, 40% of the women coming to Sarah’s Circle reported mental health problems or the presence of mental illness. Generally, due to mental health episodes and lack of proper care, individuals experiencing homelessness will wind up behind bars and, while imprisoned, receive zero mental health care. This only serves to retraumatize these individuals and keep them from reentering society.

In many towns and cities across the US, harmless practices will be made illegal to keep people who are homeless from congregating in certain areas. But without adequate resources, where are they to go? A proposition in one city has made it illegal to camp in certain public places – to sit or lie on public sidewalks and in some outdoor areas. This perpetuates the cycle of poverty by creating a criminal record, making housing and employment more difficult to obtain.

At Sarah’s Circle, we believe every woman deserves the chance to start anew, be housed, and receive the support she needs. Through our trauma-informed and harm reduction approach, we put housing first with no barriers to service and help women get back on their feet, no matter what their past and present may be.