Youth Engagement Services
The Night Ministry’s Youth Engagement Services meets and builds relationships with youth and young adults experiencing homelessness on the streets, in schools, at drop-in programs, and other locations across Chicago. Our Youth Outreach Team identifies youth and young adults living on the streets or at-risk of becoming homeless and helps them meet their basic needs through resources and referrals. The Crib provides young adults ages 18 through 24 with safe and supportive overnight emergency shelter, as well as life and leadership development skills.
Early Intervention Services
Early Intervention Services at the Response-Ability Pregnant and Parenting Program (RAPPP) and the Interim Housing Program offer youth ages 14 through 21 and their children safe and nurturing short-term housing in an environment that fosters stability, responsibility, and independent living skills. Our Early Intervention Services are designed to quickly support youth and their families to either return home, or if that is not possible, to ensure people move into safe and appropriate housing with the supports that they need. While both of these programs are open to pregnant youth and young families, RAPPP is the only housing program in Chicago that reserves beds for pregnant or parenting minor-age girls who are also experiencing homelessness.
Long-Term Residential Services
Long-Term Residential Services at the STEPS Transitional Living Program, Phoenix Hall, and the Flexible Housing Pool for Youth provide housing and intensive life skills coaching to youth and young adults.
STEPS (Successful Transitions Effectively Preparing for Self-Sufficiency) offers up to two years of housing for young adults ages 18 through 21. At STEPS, all residents must have or be pursuing a high school diploma or a GED. We help all residents maintain employment or seek employment, so they can transition into their own apartment at the end of their stay with us.
Phoenix Hall is a residence for Chicago public high school students experiencing housing instability. The program works to support academic achievement while serving the needs of both students and their families as well as the North Lawndale community.
The Flexible Housing Pool for Youth provides subsidies for market-rate rental apartments, along with case management services, to help stabilize young adults who have experienced homelessness in the community. The program is a partnership involving The Night Ministry, the Center for Housing and Help, and other area nonprofits.
Supportive Services
Supportive Services provides youth and young adults participating in any of The Night Ministry’s Youth Programs with the tools they need to thrive and enjoy adolescence and young adulthood. Supportive Services offers youth recreational activities, leadership development programs, the opportunity for young people to use their voices to inform and influence their communities through advocacy, and case management that lasts beyond their stay in The Night Ministry’s housing programs.