Program areas at Lincoln Park Community Services
Interim housing Community - provides 24-hour residence, safety, and support to 83 guests (adult men & women over the age of 18) experiencing homelessness each day across two sites. The program offers guests three meals each day and access to storage, showers, and laundry facilities. Case managers offer individualized support and goal setting to each guest focused on "on track" areas: addiction recovery; mental and physical health; and/or employment and education. From july, 2021 to june, 2022, lpcs offered shelter and support to 406 individuals in interim housing. Case managers also provide ongoing support to graudates, who are former interim housing guests who have moved into permanent housing.
Permanent supportive & affordable housing - facilitates independent housing and support Services for 17 individuals living with disabilities through the independent Community living program (iclp). Iclp is designed to assist individuals to achieve and maintain housing, health stability, and engagement in the Community. Case managers meet with residents in their homes and at our facility providing assistance with daily living skills; mediation and advocacy with landlords and other service providers; and ongoing support toward personal goals and referrals to Community Services. Lpcs also offers affordable housing to 20 individuals through project-based units at 1527 n. sedgwick, all of whom have access to support Services. From july, 2021 through june, 2022, lpcs provided supportive & affordable housing to 37 individuals.
Community engagement program (street-based outreach) - the drop-in program provides supportive Services (showers, laundry, clothing, toiletries, meals, referrals and case management) to individuals who are in danger of becoming homeless or are currently experiencing street-based homelessness. Lpcs provides a valuable service in the Lincoln Park & old town communities as a referral source for those in need. Community members, churches and police direct people in need of shelter, housing or other forms of assistance to lpcs for resources addressing temporary housing and other Services. Any adult experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless is eligible to come to lpcs for basic Services and/or for case management. From july, 2021 through june, 2022, lpcs provided drop-in Services to more than 379 individuals.
Graduate program - guests of lpcs who have secured permanent housing have access to continued Services, including meals, rental assistance, case management and referrals, access to donated items, and the continued guidance and support of the lpcs Community of staff, volunteers, and guests. Bi-monthly, graduates gather to prepare and serve dinner to current guests. Graduates are also invited to participate in weekly and monthly activities at lpcs, including educational and support groups, and social activites. Additionally, a group of graduates who choose to stay connected with lpcs and have an active role in its future participate in the lpcs graduate council. Members volunteer and give back in a number of ways, including outreach and presentations. The graduate council provides small pursuit of happiness grants to guests and graduates of lpcs who apply for funds toward a dream or pursuit of happiness. We have a graduate council with a representative serving on the lpcs board of directors. From july, 2020 - june, 2021, lpcs assisted more than 94 graduates, with 3 of them providing lpcs with regular volunteer service.