It is with immense sadness that we share the news of the passing of one of our esteemed colleagues, Pat Cinquini. Pat was not only an invaluable member of our team but also a dear friend and a source of inspiration to so many of us. Her dedication, passion and commitment to excellence were truly remarkable. Over the last six years as our Grants and Communications Manager, Pat contributed significantly to Shelter’s growth and success, including writing and securing funding for Shelter’s Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program and most recently, earning a major grant from Cook County’s Behavio ..read more

Shelter, Inc. is thrilled to welcome Simone Wheeler as our new Development Director. Simone brings over fifteen years of fund development and philanthropic innovation, primarily in human services and child welfare. Simone most recently served as VP Development at The Cradle, a recognized leader in infant adoption, where she successfully developed and implemented a fundraising plan to drive sustainable growth. Since 2017 Simone has held the designation Certified Fundraising Executive (C.F.R.E.) after completing professional practice and performance requirements. C.F.R.E. is the only accredited ..read more

The Cook County Department of Public Health has announced Shelter is one of 18 recipients out of 140 applicants to receive a Behavioral Health Initiative Grant (BHI) to support behavioral health services for Cook County’s most vulnerable communities. The BHI program will address mental health and substance use inequities and aims to increase and enhance access to a full continuum of integrated and equitable behavioral health and substance use services, support, and treatment. “This initiative strengthens our commitment to promoting and building health equity across the County,” said County Bo ..read more

This month, Shelter is joining the nation in recognizing Black History Month and the diversity that has made us the agency we are. Adding to the celebration is having one of our own staff being recognized for his outstanding achievements in mentoring young people. Shelter’s Clinical Director, Gilbert Allen, will be an honoree for Black History Month, sponsored by Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Since taking office in 2016, Mendoza has been honoring exceptional youth mentors of color. She said, “It’s nice to have an opportunity to recognize all their major accomplishments which aren’t acc ..read more

How Much Do YOU Know? National Human Trafficking Awareness Month is recognized annually in the United States in January to bring attention and opposition to human trafficking and modern-day slavery. According to the White House, the people most vulnerable to human trafficking in the U.S. include youth in the welfare or juvenile justice system, runaway and homeless youth, undocumented immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and people with substance use disorder. Trafficking happens in every state and in every community. Together, we CAN stop the trafficking of ..read more

Let It Be Us is Partnering with Shelter Inc. to Recruit Homes for the Emergency Foster Care Program Children in foster care face many challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the disruption they experience when they have to leave the home where they’ve been living, whether with biological or foster family. The Emergency Foster Care Program aims to provide children with somewhere to go temporarily, on an emergency basis, so they receive the special kind of care and safe environment that a well-supported foster home can provide while they stabilize from the disruption they’ve expe ..read more

If the holidays don’t make you feel warm and fuzzy and fill you with cheer, you aren’t alone! Most of us, a whopping 88% of people, feel stressed by the holidays, and 64% of people with mental health challenges feel worse. There are more reasons for the holiday blues than tinsel on a tree, but some of the biggest vote-getters include: Too much socializing Not enough socializing The holiday price tags Too much to do, too little time Missing loved ones Feeling pressure to be happy Expecting holiday perfection Family conflicts Loneliness Toss in a spoonful of seasonal depression from lack of n ..read more

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH Ninety percent of youth in the child welfare system report having been exposed to at least one traumatic event in their life. Many have experienced more. Each traumatic event can cause invisible wounds that can change how a child develops. Witnessing domestic violence is one such event, an adverse childhood experience (ACE) that can have a lifelong impact. Children and youth who have been exposed to domestic violence are more likely than their peers to experience a range of difficulties. These challenges may include behavioral and em ..read more

Congratulations to Shelter’s Clinical Director Gilbert Allen, who, with his brother Dr. Michael Allen, are among those who received Crain’s Chicago Business’ Notable Black Leaders and Executives Award of 2022. The prestigious award recognizes leaders who have contributed significantly to the Black community in various fields, from law and medicine to non-profits and academia. Gilbert Allen has a master’s degree in social work and is working on a doctorate in counseling, community care, and trauma which contribute to his success as a youth mentor. However, his passion for mentoring began in ch ..read more

Shelter is proud to announce a $2,000,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to partner with Let It Be Us for a new Emergency Foster Care Program. Being removed from their home, for whatever reason, is a traumatic time for a young person, and having a soft place to land is critical. However, it may take days or even weeks to match the child with the right foster home. Emergency foster homes fill that critical gap providing a safe, nurturing environment. Even though emergency care is short-term, it makes a significant difference in the life of a child. Th ..read more