*Zach’s Story

*Zach needed to be hospitalized when he went through a mental breakdown. During this time, he leaned on his family for support, but who, however, turned their backs on him, and told him he is no longer welcome home. This completely changed his life.

Finding himself on the streets, he fell into hard times, and going back to his family was no longer an option.

“My mental health issue caused me to lose everything that I held close to my heart, my family, my home, my spirit. I also lost myself along the way. I had nothing I could call my own. PADS provided me a place to sleep instead of being out on the streets.”

Zach was provided a warm place to sleep and food to eat at one of our shelter sites. Without his family and a healthy supportive system, his mental health deteriorated, and he found himself in and out of the hospital. He became severely depressed to the point of even suicidal.

Elissa worked to get Zach into PADS’ motel shelter, and that had helped him become stable. Just recently, she connected him to Allendale through its Shelter and Transitional Adolescent Resources (STAR) program. While here, he is expected to regain his confidence, learn life skills, get back on track, and move towards growth and healing.

“Finding PADS is finding solace and hope that I could get out of the tough situation I was in. They showed me compassion, and how much they want to help me. Elissa, my case worker, helped me get on the right path and to focus on my goals. She believed in me and advocated for me all the way.”

Zach now has a chance to restore his life and work towards a better future. Thanks to YOUR caring support that gave Zach a second chance jump start his life!

Josh came to PADS Lake County because he found himself in some hard times after receiving full custody of his son. He was adjusting to becoming a full time single parent and was looking for guidance and help. He found himself with an eviction letter and decided to come to PADS Lake County.

Our supportive housing case manager, Angela, was able to connect him with a case manager and assist Josh finding a unit for him and his son to call home. The case manager was able to find a landlord that would work with Josh, despite his barriers, and get him and his son into a stable home.

Angela says that Josh is doing great and that he now has the time to truly focus on his son. We are cheering you on Josh!

Most Americans are one mere crisis away from becoming homeless. These odds become even higher if you live with a disability. This is the precise situation *Doug found himself in.

He became physically incapable of maintaining his home and found himself chronically homeless, doing his best to get by while sleeping in his car. The worst part for him was that, due to his instability, his ability to spend time with his beloved grandson was limited.

Because homelessness begins a vicious cycle of instability, barriers prevented Doug from being able to find a safe place to live, no matter how hard he tried. Eventually, Doug found his way to PADS and was assigned a case manager who hunted down a place for him in the Safe Haven housing program.

Being in a safe environment has provided the peace Doug needed to start truly thriving. He is smashing the goals that bring him closer to self-sufficiency every day. And now that he has stable housing, Doug gets to spend even more time with his grandson a dream come true!

Imagine thinking you have finally overcome homelessness, having successfully “come home” in 2018 through PADS, only to find your entire life up in the air again at the whim of a landlord.

This is where *Derek found himself a few months ago: frightened, hopeless, and re-traumatized. Thankfully, Derek was still in contact with his case worker, Alicya, who is an amazing advocate and housing guru.

Within a month, Alicya was able to find and secure Derek a new unit, and he was back in a safe place. With that piece of his life sorted out, Derek is able to focus on improving his life in other ways: growing in responsibility with the upkeep of his home, developing crucial communication skills, and taking the next steps towards a bright future!

We’re proud of you, Derek!

Jeffrey, a 58-year-old man, found himself in a desperate situation, grappling with housing instability and unemployment. He lacked the necessary assistance and support from friends and family, making his circumstances even more challenging. Jeffrey was not only struggling with homelessness but also faced health issues and the lingering effects of past trauma. Additionally, both Jeffrey and his significant other lacked birth certificates and needed to renew their picture IDs. They desperately needed help with finding shelter and covering the expenses of staying in a motel while searching for a more permanent housing solution.

Fortunately, Jeffrey was connected with a dedicated case manager from PADS Lake County, who recognized the urgency and complexity of his situation. The case manager promptly took action to address the various obstacles Jeffrey and his significant other faced. They assisted Jeffrey in obtaining their birth certificates and renewing their picture IDs, which would be crucial for accessing essential services and resources.

The case manager worked tirelessly to connect Jeffrey with organizations like Catholic Charity, Love Inc., and Love in the Name of Christ. Through these connections, Jeffrey gained access to temporary shelter and received assistance with the financial aspects of staying in the motel while he actively searched for an apartment.

Recognizing that Jeffrey’s needs extended beyond immediate resources, the case manager also provided emotional support throughout the process. They understood that overcoming homelessness and trauma required more than just practical assistance. The case manager acted as a compassionate advocate, engaging with other agencies and exploring new housing opportunities on Jeffrey’s behalf.

Gradually, Jeffrey’s circumstances began to improve. With the help of the case manager, he secured a job at a music festival, which provided a steady source of income. Jeffrey and his significant other were thrilled to move into their new apartment, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

Understanding that setting up a home involved more than just finding a place to live, the case manager continued to support Jeffrey by arranging a referral to Love In the Name of Christ. This organization offered assistance in acquiring furniture and other household items, ensuring that Jeffrey’s new apartment would be furnished and comfortable.

As Jeffrey looks towards the future, he feels a renewed sense of hope and excitement. The compassionate guidance and unwavering support he received from the PADS Lake County case manager and the various organizations involved have transformed his life. With a stable job, a place to call home, and ongoing support, Jeffrey is ready to embrace this fresh start and build a brighter future for himself and his significant other.

Join us in celebrating the incredible journey of resilience and renewal of Rubio, a Waukegan resident who overcame homelessness and found hope in the face of adversity.

After a devastating house fire in 5/2021, Rubio and his girlfriend were left homeless, struggling to find shelter and acceptance. But thanks to the support of PADS Lake County, they found emergency shelter and a lifeline during their toughest times.

Despite battling substance issues, Rubio remained determined to turn his life around. With the unwavering support of his PADS case manager, Latasha, and the collaboration of Catholic Charities, he embarked on a journey of recovery and resilience.

Tragedy struck again when Rubio lost his girlfriend in 4/2022 due to unforeseen health problems. His grief was overwhelming but with the help of PADS, a memorial spot was created where he could find solace and cherish her memory.

Today, we are thrilled to share that Rubio has signed a lease for his very own apartment, marking a new chapter of hope and promise. He is reconnecting with his brother and rediscovering the joys of family bonds.

Rubio’s story serves as a powerful reminder that with compassion, support, and determination, we can overcome even the most challenging circumstances. Let’s celebrate his resilience and cheer for his bright future ahead!

Carrie felt her world turned upside down when she found out that she was losing her job. Not having a regular source of income was devastating for her, as she also struggled dealing with mental illness and substance abuse.

She first came to PADS needing emergency shelter, after realizing that she needed help. PADS team member Latasha, started working with her, referring her to NICASA, providing her with counseling for her mental health issues.

Her efforts have produced positive results as Carrie is now one year sober! Celebrating this life-changing victory, she also started getting connected with one of her children, re-building their relationship, and spending quality time her son, including going on movie dates.

Deborah’s story is just one of so many from those among our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Her story tells us that people can become homeless for so many reasons and its effects could be life changing.

Deborah lost her job due to the pandemic, which in turn led her to lose her home, her car, and every possession she had. That is when she turned to PADS for help. We were able to immediately place Deborah in shelter and with the help of her case manager Alicya Rios, Deborah was provided with food, clothing, furniture donations, as well as support and Housing Assistance.

With PADS timely intervention and support, and with the compassionate care she received from our staff, Deborah can finally say, “I have a warm place this winter. I can make my own meals. I am home!”

One of the most rewarding aspects of working with the homeless here in Lake County is being able to reconnect families.   A recent client that was left completely alone and homeless reached out to PADS Lake County for help.   He was without his state ID’s and had recently lost his entire family after they went to Puerto Rico.  

Having some mental health issues, it was hard for him to delineate the steps needed to obtain a new ID and get into a housing program.  After he found his way to PADS and connected with Bill Follins, one of the Case Managers at PADS things began to turn around.  William was able to get him into a motel and get the process started in obtaining his state ID. Several PADS team members got involved and were able to get this gentleman reconnected with his family in Puerto Rico. 

This type of outcome is always the hope of our PADS team.  Re-connecting families and operating on all cylinders to help our most vulnerable is one of the most rewarding aspects of what PADS represents. 

*Mila was living with a significant other and because of an issue with the lease and a break-up, she found herself couch surfing between friends in Lake County.  She knew that this arrangement wasn’t sustainable, and she longed for a place to call home.   

Mila connected with Malin, a Prevention and Diversion specialist at PADS, and he was able to help her create a new home with new hope.  Because Mila was so motivated and willing to do whatever it took to change her position, she was able to secure employment within just two weeks! 

All Mila needed was a little insight into her own capabilities and someone to believe in her abilities and Malin stepped into that role perfectly. She saw in Mila what Mila had lost sight of in herself. 

People need support and resources, but having faith in a person can be equally as an important when someone is trying to find their way home. At PADS we strive to help each and every person who walks through our doors see their untapped potential so that they can build the happy, safe lives that they deserve. 

*Name changed to protect client confidentiality.