History
2020 marks the 35th Anniversary of Deborah's Place. We were founded by a group of women with means and connections to address what they saw as a great need in the Chicago community, a need to serve unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness. Deborah's Place started out humbly as an overnight shelter in a church basement. Over the years, the organization evolved as the needs of the population changed. With two program locations and more than 100 units of housing across the city, Deborah's Place is now the largest provider of permanent supportive housing in Chicago exclusively for unaccompanied women. We serve more than 380 women a year with the goal that once a woman comes to Deborah's Place, she will never be homeless again.
Specialties
Deborah's Place opens doors of opportunity for women experiencing homelessness in Chicago. We achieve our mission through a unique model that weaves together supportive housing with a menu of voluntary, evidence-based services. We deliver these services in an intentional environment that recognizes each woman's strengths and abilities and fosters a sense of belonging and community. The Deborah's Place model has evolved over 35 years, using external research and internal data to develop and deliver effective programs and services. We know that women who experience chronic homelessness can overcome complex barriers to housing, health and stability when they have what they need to be successful - access to affordable and appropriate housing, adequate healthcare, regular income and positive social supports. Deborah's Place serves more than 380 women annually through outreach, housing and support services.