Keys to a New Beginning: The Transformative Work of Deborah's Place

Keys to a New Beginning: The Transformative Work of Deborah’s Place

Chicago residents see the growing homelessness crisis every day: in parks, on the streets, and on the news. Thousands of people from every background struggle to survive and build a life for themselves without even the security of a roof overhead. For women, the risks associated with homelessness are unique, along with the trauma they suffer as a result.

These women are survivors. Many of them have overcome abuse and mistreatment; many live with disabilities. To face all that without the stability of home requires incredible resilience, and to heal from it requires a community of support. At Deborah’s Place, a Chicago organization that has served women experiencing homelessness for almost 40 years, there are hundreds of stories of what’s possible for women on the other side of homelessness.

Darnella came to Deborah’s Place pregnant, scared, and alone. As she struggled to leave an abusive relationship, staff helped her stay safe and start to heal. During her time in the Deborah’s Place transitional housing program, she learned ways to cope with her trauma and tools for the life she wanted to build. Today, she lives in her own beautiful apartment with her three-year-old son.

Kathy Booton Wilson, CEO of Deborah’s Place, has worked in the homelessness sector for almost four decades. In that time, she has seen hundreds of lives changed through the organization. For the over 600 women of Deborah’s Place, many of whom have experienced years of homelessness, getting their own apartment is always an intensely emotional experience. “A lot of women start crying when they put their key in the door and see their apartment for the first time—the relief and excitement is overwhelming,” she said.

At Deborah’s Place, no one is in it alone. Support comes in many forms, including Case Managers, who work one-on-one with participants to connect with resources to help get them on their feet. As they heal and transition to life in stable housing, the women of Deborah’s Place form strong bonds with the people they meet along the way.

The goal is “once a woman comes to Deborah’s Place, she will never be homeless again.” These are lofty words, but ones that ring true: a stunning 94 percent of women maintain their housing each year at Deborah’s Place.

“We don’t ever turn our back on a woman once she comes to Deborah’s Place,” said Wilson. Through their unique Alumnae Services program, even once a woman moves on to her own housing outside the organization, she can stay connected to social workers who will have her back. For Darnella, this means mock interviews with staff members as she pursues her new goal: working for a nonprofit organization.

“I want to be that supportive person. I wouldn’t have made it this far in my life if it hadn’t been for me going to Deborah’s Place. I feel like that’s the path I need to be going on,” Darnella shared.

This Women’s History Month, Deborah’s Place is asking for your support so they can open more doors of opportunity for women experiencing homelessness—because every woman deserves the independence and stability that comes with a place to call home.

Donate, volunteer and learn more at deborahsplace.org