The Spirit of Giving

A recent Covenant House Illinois “Sleep Out” event raised awareness by allowing supporters to experience the reality of what homeless teens in Chicago are faced with every night.

BY JUDITH BAUMANN THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

In the city of Chicago, there are an estimated 3,000 young people without a safe place to sleep each night.

“As someone who works in our amazing city, this number is staggering to me—and not at all acceptable,” says Shiv Iyer, who works as Midwest Market Lead for Accenture. “Those of us who work, live, and play in Chicago have the capacity to make a difference. Chicago and the surrounding area is filled with empathetic, generous and committed people,”

“As someone who works in our amazing city, this number is staggering to me—and not at all acceptable,” says Shiv Iyer, who works as Midwest Market Lead for Accenture. “Those of us who work, live, and play in Chicago have the capacity to make a difference. Chicago and the surrounding area is filled with empathetic, generous and committed people,”

In his role, the Glencoe resident is responsible for clients, offices, community involvement, and financial performance— leading more than 11,000 people, throughout the Midwest.

“Teen homelessness is a problem we can help solve, in the same way we approach many complex challenges,” adds Iyer, who commutes downtown to the Accenture Tower in Chicago. “We need to work together—with public private partnerships— and people working together. Let’s not just talk about it. We need to take action to make meaningful change happen.”

Beyond a warm place to sleep, he says homeless people also need a warm meal.

“They need medical care, mentorship, and mental health support,” Iyer explains. “And that’s where Covenant House steps in.”

Covenant House Illinois (CHIL) empowers youth by providing trauma-informed care to meet each person’s individual and unique goals.

Through its residential program, youth live at CHIL while receiving case management and trauma-informed wrap-around services. Clinical case managers support youth as they navigate and access community services, establish and work toward their goals, and secure permanent housing that fits their needs, according to the organization’s website.

And the impact is clear. Covenant House in fiscal year 2023 provided nearly 9,000 nights of housing—ensuring that young people have a secure place to rest and rejuvenate as they work towards self-sufficiency.

Iyer’s passion for giving back is nothing new.

“I grew up with an obligation to make change happen and together with my family, we give back in many ways,” he says. “The Sleep Out is personal. Last night’s event marked my third year of sleeping out in the Chicago temperatures. As you can imagine, it’s very cold, it’s beyond uncomfortable … and it’s also transformative. The Sleep Out is an impactful way for us to experience firsthand what it means to be homeless. Another powerful element of the Sleep Out is to learn more about the teens Covenant House is helping—each of them has a story, a dream and a future.”

Since 2016, it’s been a team effort.

“Dozens of Accenture people are part of our team who Sleep Out, with literally hundreds more who sponsor our team,” continues Iyers.

For Susana Castella of Winnetka, a Managing Director at Accenture, this year was the second time she’s joined the Accenture team at Covenant House in sleeping outside.

“Last year, it took me three days to take the cold out of my bones, and it was just one night for me,” she says. “Can you imagine how these homeless teens feel every night? That's why I'm supporting this. Every single teen should have a warm bed, meals and medical attention.”

Iyers echoes her sentiments.

“What’s our call to action?” he says. “Join us, by supporting the effort. A dynamic, caring community of professionals, companies, families, and individuals gave up their bed for one night to ensure that young people overcoming homelessness can sleep safely at Covenant House Illinois.”

To get involved and to learn more, visit covenanthouseil.org/sleep-out.