State of IllinoisRod R. Blagojevich, Governor

Department of Human ServicesCarol L. Adams. Ph.D., Secretary

Serving People, Creating Success

The Office of Family Support Services administers 22 programs thatwork together to serve the individuals and families of Illinois every day.From emergency food to immigrant services to crisis nurseries; fromhousing families in transitional shelter to keeping families secure intheir own homes, to providing nutritional information and foodpreparation education, these programs work to benefit Illinoisans withcritical support services, thereby creating success for families of allsizes and colors.

The mission to serve and foster success is interwoven in each of thethree Bureaus comprising the Office of Family Support Services. In theBureau of Refugee and Immigrant Services, success is represented bythe many newly arriving refugees and immigrants who become UnitedStates citizens and achieve self-sufficiency with the assistance providedby the Bureau’s programs. Homeless households and those in dangerof becoming homeless have obtained and maintained their housingthanks to the shelters and transitional housing, emergency foodservices and Prevention program services available through theprovider networks funded through the Bureau of Homeless Servicesand Supportive Housing. Federal Title XX funding supports a widevariety of services targeted to low-income families, seniors and othervulnerable populations, offering a safety net of services. The Bureau ofTitle XX Social Services has created an environment of success throughthese programs and, as a result, success for families abounds andenhances the overall community life for these families and individuals.

Here in this, the first edition of the Office of Family Support Service’sKALEIDOSCOPE: Serving People, Creating Success you will find avariety of colors highlighting the people whose stories of successconfirm the value and benefit generated by the Office of FamilySupport Service’s programs. But first we offer “On the Other Side of theDesk” as a reminder that the opportunity to assist our fellow humanbeing should never be taken for granted.

We are pleased to present the unique colors of KALEIDOSCOPE, whichare the stories of personal achievement and accomplishment. Thestories of families and individuals confirm the good work generatedfrom programs designed specifically to serve people and createsuccess!

Gwendolyn Kenner-Johnson, Associate DirectorOffice of Family Support ServicesDivision of Human Capital Development

O F F I C E O F FA M I LY S U P P O R T S E R V I C E S J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 7

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The Other Side of the Desk

Have you ever thought just a wee little bit,Of how it would seem to be a misfit,And how you would feel if YOU had to sit,

On the other side of the desk?

Have you ever looked at the man who seemed a bum,As he sat before you, nervous…dumb…And thought of the courage it took to come,

To the other side of the desk?

Have you thought to yourself of his dreams that went astray,Of the hard, real facts of his every day,Of the things in his life that make him stay,

On the other side of the desk?

Have you thought to yourself, “It could be I,”If the good things of life had passed me by,And maybe I’d bluster and maybe I’d lie,

From the other side of the desk?

Did you make him feel he was full of greed,Make him ashamed of his race or creed,Or did you reach out to him in his need,

To the other side of the desk?

May God give us wisdom and lots of it,And much compassion and plenty of grit,So that we may be kinder to those who sit,

On the other side of the desk.

AnonymousDHS’ Office of Family Support Services

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Bureau of Title XX Social Services

Congress created the Title XX Social Services Block Grant in 1981 as partof the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Many lawmakers believedthat by creating the block grant, states would be able to managetheir own programs and respond more efficiently to local needs.Congress intended that Title XX funding be directed at one or moreof five national goals:

I. Achieve or maintain economic self-support to prevent, reduceor eliminate dependency;

II. Achieve or maintain self-sufficiency, including reduction orprevention of dependency;

III.Prevent or remedy neglect, abuse or exploitation of children andadults unable to protect their own interests or preserve, rehabilitateor reunite families;

IV.Prevent or reduce inappropriate institutional care by providing forcommunity based care, home based care or other forms of lessintensive care; and

V. Secure referral or admission for institutional care when other formsof care are not appropriate or provide services to individuals ininstitutions.

To accomplish the above goals, the Governor established the DonatedFunds Initiative (DFI) in 1978 to encourage cooperative social servicedelivery efforts between local public/private providers and stategovernment. The Bureau of Title XX Social Services administers over 200agreements to provide a wide range of services for employment andtraining, senior transportation, counseling, youth development, mentalhealth, developmental disabilities, rehabilitation, protective services aswell as crisis nurseries to vulnerable populations.

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The Bureau of Title XX SocialServices administers programstargeted at needs of the followingpopulations:

Helping SeniorsThrough the Department on Aging, theBureau of Title XX sponsors programsdesigned to foster and maintain theindependence of persons over 60 yearsof age. Transportation assistanceprovides essential access to servicesneeded by older persons to remain intheir own homes. Linking servicesinclude congregate meal programs (toassure proper nutrition), medical careand shopping. Also, services such ascounseling and support to olderpersons are provided to assist indeveloping strategies for coping withthe losses associated with advancedaging, such as loss of spouse andfriends, health impairment, incomereduction and increasing dependency.During SFY2006 over 6,100 individuals

over the age of 60 were served.SFY2007 – $ 1.1 Million

Success Story – “One of our clients isa lady in her early 70's that lives aloneand does not drive. Her son lives in

Nashville, TN. The lady fell going out herfront door and cut the main artery in her

right wrist. A neighbor called 911. As aresult of the injury, her right wrist requiredrehabilitation. We provided transportationfor her to rehab three times a week for twomonths. Recently, she had a kneereplacement. We provided transportationhome from the hospital and transportationto her rehab appointments. There is no taxior any other transportation services in thisarea. This lady would have been in thenursing home, if it wasn’t for our services,her neighbors and other support programsin this area.” From Embarras River Basin Agency(Crawford County Senior Citizens)

Ex-OffendersA partnership with the Department ofCorrections (DOC) and the Bureau of

Title XX sponsors programs that helprestore offenders to useful citizenship.Services provided are designed todevelop and enhance social,educational, vocational andrecreational skills of adult and youthex-offenders. These programsemphasize re-socialization andsuccessful community living. Last year,1,100 ex-offenders received servicesaimed at preventing recidivism. SFY2007 – $ 2.9 Million

Success Story – “A 26 year old individualwas serving a six year incarceration fordrug-related charges. Through the activitiesof the Employability Development Program,he was placed working at a restaurant. Heworked at this restaurant for eight months,while at the Center. Upon parole, herelocated to the area and continuedemployment at this establishment.” From SIU Rehabilitation Institute

Victims of Alcoholism andSubstance AbuseThrough a coordinated effort betweenthe Division of Alcoholism andSubstance Abuse (DASA) and theBureau of Title XX, a system ofservices exists for the prevention,intervention, treatment andrehabilitation of alcohol and otherdrug abuse and dependencies. Thissystem addresses the needs of at-riskor addicted individuals and theirfamilies. Community agencies deliveractivities tailored to furnishindividuals with substance abuseissues with supportive services toempower the abusers to reintegrateinto the community and reduce oreliminate their dependency. Over 270individuals, who did not qualify forother substance abuse treatment,received services last year. SFY2007 – $1.2 Million

Success Story – “Kim, a 33 year old singlemother entered Lake County HealthDepartment Women’s Residential Serviceswith her daughter after a referral from herprobation officer. Kim’s history of extensivesubstance dependence included alcohol,DHS’ Office of Family Support Services

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cocaine, soma, and hallucinogens from anearly age. Abandoned at age eight, with ahistory of abusive relationships, multi-generational chemical dependency,unemployment, homelessness, and a lack ofsupport systems, she struggled with hermental health issues and a diabeticcondition. Through treatment, her conditionimproved and she developed skills andplans to address her issues. In December2005, Kim transitioned to a supportivehalfway house. She is following through withher continuing recovery plans, attendsmeetings regularly and continues withoutpatient mental health, substance abuse,counseling and medical services. She iscurrently employed.” From Lake County Health DepartmentWomen’s Residential Services

At-Risk Youth and TheirFamiliesAn interdepartmental collaborationwith the Division of Community Healthand Prevention and the Bureau of TitleXX sponsors programs focused onprevention strategies in the areas offamily and youth development.Prevention services are developed andtargeted to maximize resources andcomprehensively address the needs ofat-risk populations. In 2006, over 6,600at-risk youth and their familiesreceived prevention services aimed ateliminating future contact with thejuvenile justice system. SFY2007 – $ 2.1 Million

Wards and At-Risk FamiliesWards and families in crisis receivespecialized services directed towardassuring a permanent, secure andnurturing living environment forchildren. Services such as outpatienttreatment, social adjustment andrehabilitation, parenting classes,protective intervention and adoptionor guardianship are provided in aconsistent, nurturing environment.Nearly 4,300 wards and familiesidentified by DCFS received familystabilization services last year.SFY2007 – $ 1.7 Million

Success Story – A family with twodaughters, ages 7 and 9, was referredbecause the nine year old was havingbehavioral difficulties at home and school.During the course of therapy, it wasrevealed that the girls had been sexuallyabused by a relative who was not a memberof the household. Initially, the parents haddifficulty accepting this information, but withassistance were able to accept it andvalidate their daughters. The daughters wereprotected, were assisted in dealing with theiranger and injured self-concept, and theirbehavior issues decreased. From Catholic Charities, Diocese of Peoria

Individuals with DisabilitiesThe Bureau of Title XX and theDivision of Rehabilitation Services(DRS) sponsors programs for personswith disabilities and their families toassist them in making informedchoices concerning employment,education, and independent livingopportunities. Programs are funded toensure provision of services toindividuals who have a mental orphysical disability that limits one ormore major life activities. Last year,over 6,200 individuals received neededservices. SFY2007 – $ 1Million

Success Story – A forty-two year old singlemale, who is legally blind due to an eyecondition known as “seesaw nystagmus”,was referred to The Chicago Lighthouse toevaluate his career options. This participantlived with his mother, he was a high schooldropout and had been unemployed since2003. The participant lacked marketableskills and required placement assistance inorder to find a job.The participant was enrolled in The ChicagoLighthouse’s Vocational Training Program,where he received hands-on janitorialtraining. He was extremely determined andresponsible about acquiring janitorial skillsand job readiness skills. Furthermore, heutilized The Chicago Lighthouse’s PlacementDepartment to explore various jobopportunities. Upon completing training, theparticipant was hired by Target as a full-time maintenance worker with benefits. From Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind

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Assisting TANF and TroubledFamiliesThe Division of Human CapitalDevelopment provides income, foodstamps, medical assistance and othersupportive services to clients needingtemporary assistance to become self-sufficient. These programs work “handin glove” with the local Family andCommunity Resource Center offices.The Bureau of Title XX Social Servicescomplements this effort through theprovision of services to obtain, retainor improve employment. Nearly 3,500TANF-eligible consumers receivedemployability development services in2006. The Bureau of Title XX SocialServices also partners with

community agencies to provideservices to families that areessential to prevent or remedyproblems that may result inneglect, abuse or exploitation ofchildren or to strengthen familyrelationships. Last year, over 6,300

families in crisis receivedcounseling services.

SBY2007 $3.4 Million

Success Story – “Aneva came to theprogram as a single parent of two youngdaughters working a part-time data entry jobwhich earned her just over $10,000 per year.To make ends meet, Aneva lived in publichousing and relied on DHS for food stampsand medical insurance. She came to us withthe goal of becoming a plumber or pipefitter, a dream she had since taking a shopclass in high school. She had appliedunsuccessfully to the plumbersapprenticeship program in the past and witha math pre-test score of 35%, she was still along way from being competitive. Sheworked very hard during the program,bringing her post-test math score up to 100%and applied for both the plumbers and pipefitters programs. She was accepted into bothprograms. She eventually became anapprentice plumber and is now workingwith a plumbing business earning nearly $14an hour with full benefits.” From Chicago Women in Trades

Crisis NurseriesThrough a partnership with five crisisnurseries, some of Illinois’ most fragilefamilies, many whom experience crisisdue to violence, family dysfunction,medical emergencies or lostemployment, have hope andopportunity. Care is provided in alicensed facility. The nurseries workwith families who have children undersix years of age by providing 24-hourcrisis care and children’s groups, andby providing home visits, parentingclasses, parent support groups, crisiscounseling, and referrals to after-careservices. Last year, 1,873 individualsreceived crisis nursery services.SFY2007 .64 Million (.47 DFI and .17 GRF)

Success Story – “Michelle was goingthrough a difficult separation from the fatherof her children as well as changing jobs,dealing with other legal situation and havingto move. It was probably the hardest time ofher life. The circumstances she was left instripped her of hope, faith and even family.She had exercised most communityresources available, but still fell short atfinding reliable care for her children. Nocare meant no money; no money meant shecould not take care of her children, let alonedeal with the crisis situation that she was in.Crisis Nursery not only gave her a reliableand safe place for her children to go to, butprovided her with other communityresources to help her work through hertroubles. She has found a new job andbrings her children to the Crittenton CentersChild Development Center, in Peoria.Michelle and her children’s lives havegreatly improved and for that she is gratefuland thankful for the Crisis Nursery.” From Crittenton Centers.

DHS’ Office of Family Support Services

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Refugee ProgramSince l975 Illinois has resettled morethan 125,000 refugees from more than62 countries. The Refugee Programfacilitates relocation and economicself-sufficiency to people who arevictims of political and religiouspersecution that have been grantedthe legal right to rebuild their lives inthe United States. Due to the diverseethnic characteristics, the RefugeeProgram designed a unique socialservice structure to providespecialized bilingual services.

The Refugee Program procurescommunity-based services whichinclude adjustment counseling,orientation, English as a SecondLanguage, vocational training, jobreadiness, and job placement. Bilingualmental health services are providedfor those refugees who experiencesevere trauma and require therapy.

Success Story – Refugee Youth ProgramThe Refugee Youth Program, launched in2002, has assisting nearly four hundredyouth in rebuilding lives in Chicago.Through partnerships with half a dozenuniversities, the program provides anaverage of 70 volunteers annually, andcontinues to improve curricula responsive todiverse refugee youth from over 12 differentcountries. Kossi, a refugee youth whoarrived in the U.S. from Togo with his familyin 2002, is an example of the clienteleserved by the program. When Kossi firstarrived, he did not speak a word of English.At one of the program's workshops, he

found his passion, and throughencouragement of his tutors, took up poetry.Now 17 years old, Kossi is a straight-Astudent who works 20 hours a week to helphis family and has applied to Brown,Harvard, and the University of Chicago.

Success Stories – The Women’sEmpowerment ProgramMadelina is a 39-year-old Sudanesemother of five. When she arrived toChicago, she was immediately referred tothe Women’s Empowerment Program forEnglish classes and life skills training.Madelina had very low English skills, butwas literate in her own language. AsMadelina continued to attend workshopsand field trips, she began bonding withsome of the Sudanese women in theprogram who are her good friends today.Madelina feels that the program changedher life because it put her in touch withother Sudanese women, which has helpedher deal with social isolation. Her improvedEnglish skills and confidence landed her ajob at a retirement home, which she haskept for over two years.

Jeanette is a single mother of one, from theCongo. When she joined the Women’sproject, she was attending English classes atanother agency, but she enjoyed attendingWomen’s Empowerment Program workshopsand field trips with her daughter and friends.After six months in the program, during theWomen’s Empowerment Programconference, Jeanette learned aboutentrepreneurship, and became motivated tostart a catering business of her own. Today,she is cooking Congolese food for clientweddings, birthday parties, and otheroccasions. Jeanette’s main goal is to

Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Services

The Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Services is designed to:n Help newly arriving refugees achieve self-sufficiency in the United

States; n Provide health services to low-income immigrants; n Provide citizenship education and application services to resident

non-citizens desiring to become United States citizens. n Provide outreach and interpretation services to limited English

proficient individuals requiring supportive services.

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ultimately open a restaurant of her own. Herparticipation in the Women’s project, shesays, has opened her eyes significantly.

Beatrice, Rwandan mother of six, wasliterate in her own language but not inEnglish when she enrolled in the program.She had been attending classes at TrumanCollege and was having trouble followingher lessons. Her aim was to be able toenroll in the Nurse’s Aide training program,a goal she attained after being tutored byher mentor for a few months. Her Englishimproved and she now is working as anurse’s aide, having more confidence in herspoken and written English.

Immigrant ServicesIllinois has been a pioneer inaddressing the needs of immigrantswithout refugee or asylee status.Immigrant services include contractswith health clinics to provide bilingualhealth education, interpreter services

and benefits for uninsured patients.The outreach and interpretationproject coordinated by the IllinoisCoalition for Immigrant andRefugee Rights providescommunity education in 41languages on immigrant eligibility

for benefits and services andinterpreter services to bridge

clients and IDHS local offices. Inaddition, the refugee and immigrantcitizenship initiative supports Englishas a Second Language, Civics, U.S.History instruction, and applicationservices.

Suburban Health Clinics – The Bureauof Refugee and Immigrant Servicessponsors four clinics withsupplemental funding to cover healthcare costs for uninsured andunderinsured immigrants. The clinicsprovide services to a substantialimmigrant client base of 20,000 clientseach year.

Refugee and Immigrant CitizenshipInitiative (RICI) – Thirty-five agenciesprovide English as a Second Language,civics, and U.S. history instruction, as

well as application services to morethan 100,000 immigrants throughoutIllinois.

Outreach, Translation, andInterpretation Project – The IllinoisCoalition for Immigrant and RefugeeRights (ICIRR) seeks to assure thateligible immigrants receive access topublic benefit programs administeredby IDHS. Thirty-three agencies provideoutreach and community education in41 languages, and are available forinterpreter services during IDHStransactions. More than 15,000persons are served each year.

Success Story – Haitian born J.B. was ayouthful high school graduate involved incivic affairs and political activism,advocating fair elections in Port-au-Prince.During the political upheaval of the 1990’s,J.B. had the fortune to be in Jamaicastudying journalism at the Caribbean Christfor the Nations Institute. He returned to Haitiafter his graduation in 1993 because hewanted to continue his work with youth,civic education, and the promotion ofdemocracy. His activism in speaking outagainst the government sparked anger inHaitian government circles and, as a result,he became marked for persecution. SinceJ.B. and his family were targets for repeatedacts of harassment, threats, and brutalattacks, they had no choice but to leaveHaiti. J.B. managed to come to the UnitedStates via Miami. In Miami, after beingdetained for four days, and with the help ofChurch World Service, he was released. Hethen moved to Illinois to live with friends.Once in Chicago, he sought help, andarrived at Interfaith Refugee andImmigration Ministries, seeking asylum.

J.B. has been in the United States since July2004. Interfaith referred him to the MidwestImmigrant and Human Rights Center. Hiscase is strong, but he has yet to be approvedfor asylum. With the help of the InterfaithRefugee and Immigration Ministries andMidwest Immigrant and Human RightsCenter, J.B. hopes his saga is met with ahappy ending. He hopes to live in the U.S.permanently, free to express his politicalbeliefs and to encourage young people to becivic-minded in an environment free of fear. DHS’ Office of Family Support Services

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The Bureau administers thefollowing Programs:

Emergency Food and ShelterProvides immediate andcomprehensive shelter services tohomeless persons and persons at riskof becoming homeless. Shelter, mealsand supportive services are providedthrough local community-basedproviders. Nearly 33,000 householdswere served last year.SFY2007 - $8.89 Million

Supportive HousingProvides extensive supportive servicesand housing to low-income individualsand families who are formerlyhomeless or at risk of becominghomeless. Supportive services includecase management, counseling, jobtraining, child care and other servicesas needed. Transitional housing isprovided for up to 24 months. CaseManagement was provided to morethan 67,000 households in 2006.Approximately 3,600 householdsresided in supportive housing anaverage of 12 - 15 months during thesame period. SFY2007 - $3.49 Million

Homeless PreventionStabilizes families and individuals intheir homes, shortens the time spentin shelters and assists with securingaffordable housing. The programprovides rent or mortgage, securitydeposits or utility payments to ensurethat families remain housed.

Households eligible for servicesinclude those that are in imminentdanger of eviction, foreclosure, orhomelessness, or currentlyhomeless. Payments are madedirectly to a landlord, utilitycompany or vendor providinghousing services to the applicant.Of the 8,457 households served in2005, 85% remained housed atleast six months after services wereprovided. SFY2007 - $11 Million

Good News Story #1: A single mother oftwo children with low income resides insubsidized housing in East St. Louis. Shereceives food stamps and is employed as ahome health nurse to provide for her family.She recently fell behind on her rent due tothe death of two clients she cared for (whichdirectly affected her income). HomelessPrevention funds helped her avoid utilitydisconnection by paying utility bills inarrears. She has since received two newclients to care for and is successfullymaintaining her housing and utilityobligations.

Good News Story #2: In July, "Juana," a 41year old single mother, was assessedthrough the Heartland Homeless PreventionLine and her application was processed.Juana and her teen-aged, disabled daughterwere forced to move out of their sub-standard apartment complex when herdaughter began having trouble with a gangmember. Together, they moved to a shelter,found a new apartment, and soughtHomeless Prevention funding for the firstmonth's rent and security deposit, totaling$1000. They also had an outstanding utilitybill of $863 and could not attain electricityin the new apartment until the past duebalance was paid. The Senior Case Managermet with Juana to secure the necessary

Bureau of Homeless Services and Supportive Housing

Seeks to eradicate homelessness through the implementation ofintegrated human service and housing supports in partnership withcommunity agencies.

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documentation and verify her claim that theSSI assistance she receives monthly isenough to maintain the new housing oncethese bills were cleared. The Senior CaseManager and Juana worked out a budget tohelp Juana manage her expenses. They alsodetermined she is eligible for Food Stamps.Juana will seek employment to supplementher income for the future. Finally, the SeniorCase Manager secured Emergency Funds inorder to purchase a new bed and somefurniture for Juana, who was grateful for herchance to move her daughter into a saferenvironment.

Emergency Food ProgramOffers food commodities through anetwork of food pantries, soupkitchens and shelters to provide anemergency response to hunger.Churches, community groups,community action agencies andgovernmental agencies distributenutritious USDA commodities anddonated food to needy households

across the state. More than 1.8Million households benefited fromemergency food during last year. SFY2007 - $3.2 Million

Good News Story: In PembrokeTownship, a rural community with few

resources, residents are served by aMobile Food Pantry operated by the

Northern Illinois Food Bank. NorthernIllinois Food Bank distributes food from theMobile Pantry in Pembroke Township on the

1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. 20 to25 individuals from the communityvoluntarily unload the food from the truck,monitor distribution, help carry food boxesfor the elderly and disabled and clean thesite when all of the food is gone. At eachvisit these dedicated people distribute over

9,000 pounds of food by hand. Most of the recipients come from a radius of13 miles and live in St. Anne, and HopkinsPark, part of Pembroke Township.Approximately 5% come from the village ofMomence and a handful from the city ofKankakee.

On August 2, 2006, a youth group fromItasca participating in a mission trip toSacred Heart Church Convent in St. Annestopped by the Mobile Pantry to lend ahand. They were helping with repairs tohomes in the area and visited the MobilePantry distributing iced beverages includingfruit juice and water to people waiting inline and volunteers. With the heat indexover 100 degrees in the sun-filled parkinglot, their visit was a welcomed one.

Food Stamp OutreachOutreach activities are designed toinform households about theavailability, eligibility requirements,application procedures and benefits ofthe Food Stamp Program. SFY2007 - $250,000.

Good News Story: This year the ChicagoBoard of Education has initiated a numberof activities and collaborations withcommunity organizations to increasehousehold access to the Food StampProgram for low-income children attendingChicago public schools. A team has beenestablished, the Children and FamilyBenefits Unit (CFBU), to conduct fairs,workshops and other events. In just twomonths nearly 350 households have appliedfor food stamps with the help of the CFBU.The turnout at events has also increasedawareness about other benefit programs,especially the All Kids medical program.

DHS’ Office of Family Support Services

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Food Stamp NutritionEducationThe goal of this program is tosafeguard the health and well being oflow income households by providingaccess to a healthy nutritious dietfocusing on dietary quality, foodsecurity and safety, food resources

management and system andenvironmental changes. IDHS, inpartnership with the University ofIllinois and LaRabida Children’sHospital, offers nutrition programs,recipes, workshops and other eventsto benefit Illinois households.SFY2007 - $13 Million

...And a final look through the KaleidoscopeA successful client’s story in her own words:

Dear Darlene and Lazarus House Staff,

I wanted to send you this announcement of my college graduation as a thank-you for helpingme to get to this proud place in my life.

I don’t know if you remember me— I was a lost soul who showed up on a July evening back in2001, having just come out of the hospital. My reckless path of self-defeating behavior andunfortunate circumstance had left me in the darkness with bridges burnt behind me. Yet yourswas a light in my desperation, and your door was open when behind me all others were closed.You took me in and gave me a place to belong, and a starting point to begin living again.

I was a bit difficult at times, I know. Living in those types of situations is never easy. Yet thearms of Lazarus House and the love of God continued to hold me up and set my feet on a betterpath. Even when I discovered in the depths of my desperation that I was pregnant, youcontinued to support me and gave me space and guidance to get through the problems to thesolutions.

My Case Manager especially was essential in helping me find my way back to school. Byencouraging me and even taking me out to ECC to start the financial aid process, she helped metake that first important step to getting my life back.

I left Lazarus House about three months after I began my stay, and when I left, I had a full- timejob and an apartment to go to. That following January, I began school at ECC and gave birth toa healthy daughter in April of 2002. Then in the fall of 2002, I became a full- time student at aUniversity, in a teacher certification program. I have achieved several scholarships and honors,and am now graduating with a 4.0 average and as a member of five different academic honorsocieties. I will be certified as a teacher in the state of Illinois, and hope to start work in the fall.I live in an apartment of my own with my now two year old daughter and even have my owncar. I have become a responsible and positive member of my community, and am on my way toproviding a good and stable life for my child.

I cannot begin to thank you for being there for me at a time when I was completely alone. Wereit not for your aid in my time of most dire need, I would not have become the person I amtoday. My daughter would not have a chance at a good life— or any life at all. You gave me somuch more than a shelter in the night— you gave me hope, you gave me a second chance, andyou gave me back a life that to all else was lost. I cannot thank you enough for being the handof God in my life.

If there is ever anything I can do to assist you in your mission of helping others, I will always doanything I can to help. Lazarus House and your mission continue to be in my daily prayers, andI take the lesson I have learned about helping others with me in all my endeavors. What youhave done for me has caused great miracles in my life, and I hope to help others experience themiracles as well.

With deepest gratitude, A former Lazarus House guest, on her path to great success

Points of Contact

Programs, activities and employment opportunities in the Illinois Department of Human Services are open and accessible to any individual or group withoutregard to age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic origin or religion. The department is an equal opportunity employer and practices affirmative actionand reasonable accommodation programs. Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois. (12/06) 3000 copies P.O.# FM69

For more information call or visit your Illinois Department of Human Services’ Family Community Resource Center. You may call the automated helpline 24 hours a day at:

1-800-843-6154 (voice) or 1-800-447-6404 (TTY)For a listing of our providers by region check our website:

www.dhs.state.il.us/ts/FamilySupportServices

Illinois Department of Human ServicesDivision of Human Capital Development

Marva Arnold, Director401 S. Clinton, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60607Office: (312) 793-0683 TTY: (312) 793-2354

or100 South Grand Ave. E. 2nd Floor, Springfield, IL 62762

Office: (217) 785-3300 TTY: (217) 785-6041

Office of Family Support ServicesGwendolyn Kenner- Johnson, Associate Director400 W. Lawrence, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62762

Office: 217-785-2559Or

401 S. Clinton, 3rd Floor. Chicago, IL 60607Office: 312-793-3610

Bureau of Refugee & Immigrant ServicesEdwin Silverman, Bureau Chief

401 S. Clinton, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60607Office: 312-793-7120

Bureau of Homeless Services & Supportive HousingBrenda Hanbury, Bureau Chief

400 W. Lawrence, Hay Edwards, 2nd Floor, Springfield, IL 62704Office: 217-782-1317

Bureau of Title XX Social ServicesDianne Bradie-Gregoire, Bureau Chief

401 S. Clinton, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60607Office: 312-793-4264