emergency Lodge
The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge
800 W. Lawrence Ave. Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 275-9383
Fax: (773) 275-3062
When There's No Place To Call Home
The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge is a haven for families and individuals suddenly homeless because of eviction, disasters such as a fire or flood, loss of utilities, domestic violence, being stranded while traveling, or other crises.
A transitional living arrangement, the Lodge provides shelter for as many as 32 families or 120 individuals each night. The average stay is 30 days, but some stay longer, depending on the time needed to locate permanent living arrangements.
Safe Shelter And Nutritious Food
The Lodge provides a warm and caring environment designed to reduce the stress and anxiety caused by the crisis of homelessness. Many have lost everything. Others have suffered financial setbacks and their families are at risk of hunger. Most are frightened and confused. At the Lodge, families and individuals receive nutritious food, clothing, along with help to meet other immediate needs. Clients also undergo health screening to determine what medical care may be needed.
A full program of daily activities helps families stay together with their personal pride intact.
Professional Counselors Give Guidance
Our goal is to help families and individuals move along a continuum of care to become self-sufficient. Our certified social workers help families and individuals discover the root causes of their problems. Together they work to overcome the clients' difficulties and develop a plan to bring stability to their lives.
In addition to counseling, clients receive help finding employment, acquiring training or education, location permanent housing, and solving other problems.
Activities For Children
To minimize disruption in their lives, the Lodge, in cooperation with Chicago public schools, provides nursery school, Head Start and elementary education for the children. They also enjoy other activities such as arts and crafts, recreation, and field trips to museums, zoos, and other points of interest. Retired individuals volunteer as foster grandparents to teach the small children basic skills.
Spiritual Care
Clients are invited to participate in chapel services. For many, this is an opportunity to examine the spiritual dimension of their lives. Often, they renew their commitment to values they have lost sight of in their struggle to survive.
Crisis seems to happen most often at night. A family's home goes up in flames. A mother and her children flee an abusive situation. The police bring someone in desperate need of help. When people arrive at the Lodge, they are usually pretty shaken. They need comforting and someone who will listen without judging.
They come needing housing, but have many other concerns. Their finances may be less than they need. They many be struggling with a problem of domestic violence or substance abuse. They may never have had a home of their own. They may have medical concerns. Their children may have disabilities and require special medical attention.
We care for these temporarily homeless people just as we would care for our own families. We see them as people who need an opportunity to get through a difficult time.
Your support of The Salvation Army makes possible a safe haven in the darkest of nights.