Emerge

The Emerge homeless youth program assists 20 homeless young adults (15 of whom are single and 5 families) between the ages of 18 and 24.  The program’s goal is to help these individuals successfully transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency and independence.

Program Goals:

• Clients must secure part-time employment within 3 months and be working full-time within 6 months.
• Within 60 days after becoming employed, clients pay a portion of their earnings to the Emerge Program for rent. All clients are mandated to open a savings account within 6 months of enrollment in the program.
• Emerge aims to help participants increase their sense of self worth, and develop their strengths and talents so they are able to end their homeless status.

Program Offerings:

• Emerge works with community realtors who provide affordable fully-furnished apartments to our clients. Program participants have the option to take over their leases when ready. This service allows our clients to go from transitional housing to permanent housing in a short period of time.
• Emerge provides counseling to participants and their families to promote family reunification efforts.
• Emerge provides quality health services through an on-site nurse who provides nutritional assessments and well baby checks, and gives medical referrals as needed.
• Emerge has linkage agreements to provide community-based services to current and aftercare participants. These services include referral services for legal issues, HIV/AIDS care, substance abuse and housing.
• Emerge offers clients a variety of workshops on topics ranging from healthy relationships, cooking, nutrition, sanitation, employment, how to prepare for discharge from the program and money management.

Click below to find more information on:

• Emerge Program Requirements
• Thank You Letters from Past Clients
• The Annual "Fighting to End Homelessness" Fundraiser
• Partnership with National Pan-Hellenic Council of Chicago