1. 2014
Lincoln Park Community Shelter
Bringing our community together.
Empowering life changes.

2. • Tour
• History
• Vision and values
• Programs
• Prevalence of Homelessness
• Volunteer Program
• Q & A
Objectives

3. History
•In 1985, the Chicago Coalition for the
Homeless estimated that 25,000 people
would be homeless in Chicago.
•Four neighboring churches established
a partnership: the Church of Our Saviour
Episcopal Church, Lincoln Park
Presbyterian Church, St. Clement
Catholic Church, and St. Pauls United
Church of Christ.
•February 12, 1985, the Lincoln Park
Community Shelter opened its doors.
Lincoln Park Community Shelter

4. The Lincoln Park Community Shelter brings communities
together to empower homeless men and women to make
and sustain life changes.
Mission

5. Vision
•Provide a holistic
continuum of services that
removes barriers and
increases self-sufficiency.
•Be a leader and innovator
in creating solutions to
homelessness in our
community.
•Believe that every person
in our community has a
stake in and can contribute
to ending homelessness.

6. Values
•Accountability
•Self-Determination
•Community Engagement

7. LPCS is a comprehensive social service agency serving adult
men and women who are experiencing homelessness.
Providing shelter and other basic needs to homeless
neighbors in the Lincoln Park community. Also providing
interim housing, meals, and a targeted array of social
services to over 300 people each year.
Service

8. Programs
 Interim Housing Community
 On Track Program
 Graduate Community
 Community Engagement Program
 Independent Community Living Program

9. Homelessness Is

10. Prevalence of Homelessness in Chicago
•According to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless 2013
analysis, 116,042 Chicagoans were homeless in the course of
the 2012-13 school year. A 10% increase from the previous
year.
•According to the CCH 2012-2013 analysis, people living in
families made up 50% of Chicago’s homeless population. With
34.8% being children and 15.2% parents or grandparents.
•According to a study conducted by the National Low Income
Housing Coalition, in order to afford an Illinois rent level of
$885 (2-bedroom home) and utilities –a household must earn
$35,392 annually.
Additional research and references available at chicagohomeless.org.

11. Get involved
Volunteering – operated by a annual pool of more than 1,500 volunteers
 Overnight Volunteer: Overnight volunteers provide supervision for LPCS and our Guests from
9:00 PM - 6:30 AM on weekdays, and 9:00 PM 8AM on weekends.
 Job Coach: The Coach will work one on one with the Guest to advise them about the field,
help make networking connections for the Guest, provide materials or tools needed to begin
work in the field.
 Peer Coach: A volunteer with a similar background or life experience in relation to
mental/physical health issues and/or substance abuse issues will work with Guest in a one on
one mentor/mentee setting.
 Meal Volunteer: Purchase, prepare, and serve hot meals for our clients and/or Guests
(breakfast, lunch, dinner, sack lunches)
 Track Volunteer: each a Daily Living Skills class or make a class of your own.
 Hospitality: Come assist in facilitating a hot meal, showers, laundry, and other services for our
Community Clients at this weekly Program.
 Front Desk: Work with our Guests, volunteers and staff. Answer phones, answer doors, and
oversee sign in/out sheet.

12. What do I do when…?
1. LPCS staff is outside of the building on one of their Security
Patrols. This leaves you in charge inside the shelter. You notice an
individual sitting in one of the chairs who you don’t recognize and
you get the sense that none of the other guests are familiar with
them either. What do you do?
2. You witness some guests exhibiting disrespectful behavior and
taunting another guest. They are verbally mocking/making fun of
them and everyone, including the individual being singled out, is
laughing. What do you do?

13. Scenarios cont.
3) You find that a guest is “talking your ear off.” You feel that it is
disruptive to your ability to accomplish your tasks. How do you
handle the situation?
4) A guest confides in you about a personal problem and asks you to
keep it confidential. You believe the guest may be at risk for harm
(i.e. they are in an abusive relationship). What do you do?

14. Volunteer Expectations and Agreement
• Read the handbook!
• Arriving late
• Cancellation policy
• Taking photos of guests—As first, do not use publically
• Alcohol policy
• Client confidentiality
• Bringing someone to volunteer with you

15. Volunteer Information Center
 A login ID and Password will be sent to you via e-mail following the
Volunteer Orientation.
 Overnight, front desk and meal volunteers will be able to schedule
themselves for shifts and remove themselves up to two weeks before said
shift.
 Within two weeks of your shift, you must contact the Volunteer
Coordinator in order to be removed from the calendar.
 Track Activity Volunteers (classes, tutoring, one on one program,
job/peer coaching) will have to schedule through the Volunteer
Coordinator.

16. Reminders
• Meal and other group volunteers – you are responsible
for sharing the handbook information with your
volunteers
• Taking home leftovers
• Cleaning kitchen and putting away of dishes, pots and
pans
• Parking – lot available most evenings and days, depends
on when you volunteer.
• Please reply to reminders that are emailed to you!

17. Recording Hours
• When you arrive at LPCS, sign IN in the Volunteer Sign-
In/Sign Out log (round to the nearest quarter of an hour)
• When you leave don’t forget to sign out!

18. Questions? Comments?

19. Contact Us:
Lauren Kirby
Volunteer Coordinator
E-mail: lpcsinfo@lpcsonline.org
Phone: (773) 549-6111 ext. 216
Lashawnda M. Carter
Community Relations & Development
Manager
Email: lcarter@lpcsonline.org
Phone: (773) 549-6111 ext. 202
@LincolnParkCS Lincoln Park Community Shelter Lincolnparkcs