Financial Assistance ProgramThe Emergency Fund provides immediate financial assistance to help low income Chicago area individuals and families through a crisis or transition. Those qualified for our Financial Assistance Program can receive help in two ways: Our Crisis Solution Grants are designed with the short-term needs faced by the working poor in mind. Transportation passes, food vouchers, eye glasses, prescription medicine, and clothing are examples of the many uses of Crisis Solution Grants. Families can receive up to $300 in assistance, once per year. Payments are made directly to landlords, utility companies, or other service providers on behalf of the client. Our Self-Sufficiency Grants assist families with rent, utilities, and basic necessities while the head of household completes an employment program. Families may receive assistance multiple times within a period of several months, with a limit of $2,500 per year. Our Self-Sufficiency Grants have been used to support families while the father completed a job-training program, to support a single woman as she worked towards getting her medical degree certified in the U.S, and more. Individuals seeking assistance should call 3-1-1 and ask for Short-Term Help to be screened for this program. Chicago Homeless Prevention FundRecognized as the leader in providing homeless prevention dollars in the Chicago area, the Emergency Fund was selected in 2005 by the City of Chicago to house a special Chicago Homeless Prevention Fund as part of Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness. Launched in January of 2003, the Mayor’s Plan takes a three-pronged approach to tackling homelessness in Chicago - Prevention, Housing First, and Wraparound Services. As the first mayor of a large metropolitan area to endorse a Plan to End Homelessness, Mayor Daley has committed significant resources to the effort and has provided leadership to advocate for funding to further the goals of the Plan. The City of Chicago works closely with the Emergency Fund to raise dollars from Chicago’s individual and corporate citizens, as well as the faith-based community. Donations to the Chicago Homeless Prevention Fund are made directly to the Emergency Fund to be distributed through our Financial Assistance Program. |
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