The Issue:
Crisis Support

Hunger and homelessness is impacting people in our region like never before. In 2006, requests for assistance from food pantries rose 18%. And on any given night, as many as 15,000 people are homeless in Chicago alone.

What many people do not realize is that many homeless men and women, as well as those requesting food assistance, are employed. They are working hard to support themselves and their families but, due to rising housing costs and limited wages, they are living paycheck to paycheck with little or no savings. With budgets stretched so tight, an unplanned doctor visit or emergency prescription can quickly send these working families into financial crisis. They are suddenly forced to make tough choices such as paying for medicine, buying food or paying the rent.

One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence and 15,000 people are homeless in Chicago each night.

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Another little known fact about homelessness is that many homeless women in our region are actually homeless due to domestic violence. One in four women will become a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime. Those who have limited financial options may have to choose between staying with their abusers or living on the streets. In 2003, 56% of the women in Chicago's homeless shelters reported that they were victims of domestic violence and 22% claimed that domestic violence was the immediate cause of their homelessness.

Your United Way support provides: temporary food, shelter and rent assistance to homeless individuals and victims of home fires or other crisis; safe haven, counseling and legal advocacy to victims of domestic violence.

A woman