by Bruce Bachmeier, Director of Volunteers - It’s not every day we get a heartfelt letter, donation, business model and well wishes from a CEO who is 10 years old! But that was the case late this summer, when Carmen Pastrana and her friends at the Giving Bakery surprised us with their initiative and ability to… Read More
Hesed House's Residents Respond to the Pope's Message
By Denise Crosby, Aurora Beacon-News Posted on 08/28/2015 on http://www.chicagotribune.com/ I'm sure you took note of how everyone and their Congressional representative jumped on the pope's bandwagon. From the moment I knew Pope Francis was coming to America, I figured I better get in on the act: write something profound (and preferably local) about his visit.… Read More
Homeless Youth, Advocates Rally Outside Thompson Center Against Social Service Cuts
By Craig Dellimore, CHICAGO (CBS) Homeless young people and other advocates rallied outside the Thompson Center today, crying out against cuts in social services during the budget impasse, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore. The crowd chanted for more revenue and Flora Koppel with Unity Parenting and Counseling argued that the state could save money… Read More
A Light at the End
By Shar, former Hesed House guest My daughters and I moved back to Illinois from Ohio in 2009 after my oldest daughter accepted a scholarship. At that time I began to seek full-time employment in the business/accounting field. However, I was only able to secure part-time employment. Since we were living with family, I took… Read More
Aurora officials looking to combat chronic homelessness
By Aurora Beacon's Maggie Angst Posted on August 10, 2015, 10:16 a.m. in the Aurora Beacon News Without the proper support services and housing, many homeless people find themselves caught in a cycle of shelters, jails and hospitals. "If you take a person dealing with a disability and you put them in a house with service… Read More
The Human Face of The Proposed Budget Cuts
By Colleen Boraca, Clinical Assistant Professor at Northern Illinois University College of Law and Director of the NIU College of Law Health Advocacy Clinic at Hesed House Posted on 07/23/2015 at 8 a.m. in the Chicago Sun Times A recent day was normal for “Frank,” as “normal” goes for him. Frank is homeless and suffers… Read More
Hesed's Dental Ministry
By Bruce Bachmeier, Director of Volunteers Now in its second year, the new phase of the Volunteer Dental Ministry has made it possible for 48 of our guests – through 180 appointments – to receive follow-through dental care! Our volunteers have been taking guests to dental appointments at Dr. DeLacey’s office in Warrenville for years,… Read More
Picosa's First Season
by Jennie Brown, Artistic Director, Picosa What a thrill to launch Picosa during our inaugural 2014-2015 season! Embarking on a journey such as this with dear friends who also happen to be inspiring artists and consummate professionals is a true honor and joy. By season’s close, we performed 24 concerts and workshops all over the… Read More
Community Foundation Provides Grant to Hesed House
Hesed House, the state of Illinois' second largest homeless shelter serving the Greater Fox Valley and located in Aurora, is proud to announce that the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley has given the organization a $19,100 grant to upgrade its current security system. The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a… Read More
Activists Protest Budget Cuts Outside Gov. Rauner’s Home
May 13, 2015By CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez, Chicago Activists want to send a message to Governor Bruce Rauner that really hits home, so they protested outside his home on May 13th, with several planning to spend the night outside Rauner’s condo inside a Lakeshore East high rise. The coalition of several community groups protested what they… Read More