A JOURNEY to HOPE: Homelessness and Disability

By Roxanne Gentry, Marketing Associate

Many people become homeless or find themselves at serious risk of homelessness because of disabilities. In fact, last year, 60% of JOURNEYS clients had a disabling condition. 

Disabilities often prevent people from being able to hold consistent work, and an unstable income often leads to unstable housing. At JOURNEYS, part of our work includes assisting clients with disabilities – whether those disabilities are visible or not - achieve stable housing. 

Recently, one of our clients, Maryann*, a mother to a school-age son, came to JOURNEYS after fleeing domestic violence in another state. Unfortunately, she had also recently suffered from a stroke, which left her partially blind. Maryann worked with her case manager, Katie, and was admitted into the hotel program, which allowed her to stabilize and find work. Eventually, our Dedicated Assessor, Mandy, helped Maryann get matched with a referral to be rehoused in Buffalo Grove. She and her son are now living happily and stably in their new apartment, and she is overjoyed that her son is making friends. 

To help our clients achieve their goals, it is essential that we consider the whole person. Each client’s needs and situations are different. If our goal is to help clients achieve stable housing, it is not enough to simply provide shelter. Rather, shelter is an essential part of a continuum of care developed to meet people where they are without judgement. At JOURNEYS, we provide services and programs alongside access to shelter that enable clients to build and maintain a more independent life. 

JOURNEYS | Lives Here. 

*Name has been changed.​