Rooms Reserved

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January 2022 View more

DuPagePads is transforming the way it provides shelter for those need. Throughout the pandemic, the nonprofit provided emergency housing in local hotels. Now it plans to purchase and revitalize one of those spaces on Butterfield Road in Downers Grove into the Interim Housing Center, a permanent facility where it can continue to offer shelter and create a central location for its support services.

The success of its hotel-based model has enabled DuPagePads to help over 600 families stay safe and healthy during COVID. “It has made a huge difference for our clients, especially families, to have a closed door with their own space and bathroom,” says April Redzic, president and CEO of the Wheaton-
based nonprofit. Prior to the pandemic, clients stayed at a different location each night, provided by local faith-based organizations. “Having a private space—and not being asked to leave at 6 in the morning—is a complete change of mindset for our clients. It helps them really start to think about what long-term shelter can mean for them,” explains Chad Pedigo, vice president of development. “In fact, it has lead to an over 500 percent increase of our clients utilizing our case management services to work on their plans of finding stable housing.”

In addition to 130 housing units, the Interim Housing Center will include space for support services. “Right now we have a client resource room where people can come and get laundry detergent, toiletries, and things like that. We plan to also have rooms where clients can receive hot meals, medical services, case management services as well as homework help and tutoring,” explains Redzic.

Over $6 million of the $7.5 million needed to purchase and refurbish the property has been raised from grants and donors. To contribute to the remaining $1.5 million, visit dupagepads.org/donate. Plans are to close on the property and consolidate services in spring 2022. 

Photo courtesy DuPagePads