This document discusses perspectives on homelessness and advocating for change. It emphasizes that homelessness can result from diverse, unforeseen factors beyond personal mistakes, and that everyone deserves housing. The document outlines statistics about homelessness and timelines for phases of an organization's work. It discusses the missions and visions of existing homeless advocacy organizations like Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and Mercy Housing. An overview emphasizes enabling everyone to live their fullest life through essential needs, support, and transformative love. Resources on homelessness data and existing organizations are provided.

1. DIGNITY IN
DOORWAYS
LEON PAYNE CYCLE53
DATE: OCTOBER 19, 2023

2. INTRODUCTION
Traditional views of homelessness
often wrongly attribute it to personal
mistakes, ignoring systemic issues.
Shifting perspective emphasizes that
homelessness can result from diverse,
unforeseen factors. This reframing
challenges stigmas, promoting the
belief that everyone deserves housing,
irrespective of past errors. It
encourages empathy, dismantles
judgment, and focuses on proactive
solutions. This narrative shift is crucial
for fostering a compassionate society,
recognizing the inherent dignity of
individuals facing homelessness.
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3. STATISTICS
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4. STATISTICS
4

5. ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE
We're dedicated to ending homelessness. Housing is a fundamental human right,
and our mission is to ensure everyone has a place to call home.
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6. TIMELINE
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• Grand Opening the organization and bringing it to life.
The building, the work, volunteers, & making sure we
reach as many people as possible.
• Phase 1: Start to add licensed therapists for everyone
so that they can leave the program. The goal is to get
everyone on their feet to live a decent life.
• Phase 2: Fix mistakes made in the starting years and
start to include programs from other non-profits.
Make long lasting relationships.
• Phase 3: Continue to grow the reputation of the Org,
so that everyone could receive the benefits of life.
Such as, helping fight addictions, DV, & how to
navigate through life.
• Phase 4: In the previous year we plan on expanding
across the states. During this time that will still be in
affect as well as building good relationships with
everyone.

7. TITLE
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Mission
• We strive to end homelessness, driven by our
conviction that housing is a basic human right.
Vision
• We aim to guide the nation towards a healthier, safer,
and more livable environment by offering therapy,
support, and assistance for individuals dealing with
drug abuse.

8. EXISTING ORGANIZATIONS
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Chicago Coalition
for the Homeless
• “We organize and
advocate to prevent
and end homelessness,
because we believe
housing is a human
right in a just society.”
Mercy Housing
• “To create stable, vibrant,
and healthy communities
by developing, financing,
and operating affordable,
program-enriched
housing for families,
seniors, and people with
special needs who lack
the economic resources
to access quality, safe
housing opportunities.”
The Salvation Army
• “The Salvation Army, an
international movement,
is an evangelical part of
the universal Christian
Church. Its message is
based on the Bible. Its
ministry is motivated by
the love of God. Its
mission is to preach the
gospel of Jesus Christ and
to meet human needs in
His name without
discrimination.”

9. OVERVIEW
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• I am passionately dedicated to enabling everyone to live their life to
the fullest. Should that require extending a second chance, my
commitment involves not only providing essential needs such as
housing, food, therapy, and job opportunities but also offering
support in financial literacy. Above all, I emphasize the transformative
power of love in fostering personal growth and well-being.

10. RESOURCES
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• Homeless Shelters | The Salvation Army USA
• Homeless-Estimate-2021_FINAL.pdf (pcdn.co)
• 68,440 Chicagoans Experiencing Homelessness - Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (chicagohomeless.org)
• Estimate of People Experiencing Homelessness in Illinois - Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
(chicagohomeless.org)
• Home | Mercy Housing
• Mercy Housing 2022 Community Report

11. THANKYOU!
LPAYNE@ICSTARS.ORG
HTTP://WWW.DIGNITYINDOORWAYS.COM/