“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” – John Bunyan

For more than 35 years, PADS has faithfully been providing immediate, critical services to the neediest among us – homeless families, children, men and women in Lake County. Like a hospital emergency room, PADS is the first point of contact and the ONLY emergency shelter for the homeless in Lake County. In fact, PADS is often the only hope for someone facing a long night in the harrowing cold or blistering heat.

PADS provides assistance to the homeless throughout all of Lake County. However, the greatest concentration of homeless served is in North Chicago, Waukegan, and Zion. PADS is a non-restrictive emergency shelter system and help all people that come to us in need regardless of race, gender, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. PADS provides critical services that no other social or human services agency in Lake County offers.  PADS  is the only program in Lake County that provides emergency shelter in summer, enables families to stay together, takes in single fathers with children, and provides housing for chronically homeless individuals with severe mental illnesses and/or substance abuse issues.

PADS’ vision is to provide a path to stable housing and self-sufficiency for all of Lake County’s homeless. Our greatest hope is to help end homelessness and ensure happy, healthy, and safe lives for  generations to come.