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The day's speaker, Steven Love, is the Director of Development at Providing Advocacy, Dignity and Shelter (PADS) of Lake County. This 31 year old organization is community based, providing trauma-informed support, resources and shelter to families and individuals experiencing a housing crisis. There is not a typical client of PADS Lake County - no family or individuals are typical. Many of them use the office's address (1800 Grand Avenue, Waukegan) as their own. An example of that is college acceptance letters from Ivy League colleges and universities have been mailed to homeless applicants along with other mail. Homelessness in Lake County is a hidden issue. If you went to lower Wacker Drive in Chicago, the issue is in the open. In Lake County, tent cities may appear deep within forest preserves, or under bridges. Lake County is the perfect storm for homelessness - the lack of affordable housing and living wages. Three PADS programs address the issues of homelessness. The first is Prevention and Diversion - intercepting homelessness before it happens. This happens when the verbal warnings of eviction are in play. A PADS case manager will step in as a mediator between the landlord and tenant. Financial classes are required for the tenants. In many cases some assistance from their resources, the tenant and the landlord work together to keep the family or individual in their home. In the three years since this program was implemented, 800 families were prevented from entering the homeless population. This program is so well received by the landlords they work with, many make contributions to PADS at pledge time. The second program is Homeless Healthcare Access. In moments of crisis, like a job loss or fleeing abuse, a person's physical health often goes on the back burner. Many times they are also taking care of their parents or children. PADS works with the Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park and Healthcare Foundation of Lake County in getting those the help they need whether it is transportation to and from appointments or getting their prescriptions. They often work as liaisons with the physician and patient. Mental Health is a crisis not only in Lake County but across the nation. Many homeless need their medication, but it can take up to six months to get an appointment with a psychiatrist, so they are off their meds. One in three people in the U.S. go undiagnosed with mental issues. The third program is the Outreach Program. PADS will search out the homeless who are often transient to bring them into their shelters. With the recent polar vortex, budget cuts and the government shut down, they continue to meet the challenge. An outreach coordinator spent the last three years connecting with the homeless he's come across. Only twenty five have been documented over the in the three years. So many of them being transient makes it harder to track and count. Seven of the 25 are currently housed. Housing is always the first priority. Once a person has a safe pace, the other issues can be addressed. HUD conducts the homeless count. Eighty percent of PADS clientele are families, the remaining 20% are individuals. PADS has 15 sites, mainly houses of worship with 4000 volunteers. There are at least two sites open every night across the county with about 200 people seeking shelter. An average of 95 of those are not the chronically homeless. Many organizations like United Way and the Z Center, corporations like Abbott volunteer and partner with PADS. Many come in as part of a day of service. PADS welcomes both financial and volunteer support. Thirty-one years ago, PADS stood for Public Action to Deliver Shelter, now it has grown with its efforts to meet the rising challenges the county (and the nation) faces. Our speaker has a long history of working with underserved populations within Lake County, bringing 12 years experience to PADS. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies, a Master's Degree in Historical/Theological Studies and a Certificate in History from Oxford University, U.K. Steven and his wife have four children. Steven is also pastor of New Life Baptist Church in Vernon Hills. |
