Cover story

COVER STORY FACING CHALLENGES IN THE COLD

DeKalb’s Hope Haven’s on a mission to keep people warm this winter

By CAMDEN LAZENBY

clazenby@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – The winter can be a rough time for many, especially those without a home to call their own. Hope Haven’s shelter in DeKalb knows that, and staff said they’ve made sure to turn none away who are in need.

Hope Haven, a year-round shelter in DeKalb that offers supportive services for individuals and families without homes.

Lesly Wicks, who’s been the shelter’s executive director for the past 28 years, said Hope Haven normally houses almost 100 individuals a night. Inclement weather can often change that, however, even if beds are full.

“It’s always difficult when it’s cold because we’re generally always full, but when the weather gets to a point where it’s dangerous for people who may be staying in cars or have a tent in a park, or other places not meant for human habitation – we have a no turn away policy,” Wicks said. “Which means even if we have to put up extra cots we won’t turn anyone away because ... it could be deadly to even be living out in those kind of conditions.”

Wicks, 63, said the cold snap that saw temperatures in DeKalb County drop to about 10 below zero – with windchills close to 40 below zero – caused Hope Haven to be “really busy” days before Christmas.

Wicks said inclement weather – hot or cold – always brings more people to the shelter because homeless people who normally don’t use the shelter have to seek refuge when temperatures outside become unlivable.

“There are a lot of people who choose to stay out of the shelter, and the homeless people that stay out of the shelter, they don’t want to live in a shelter but cold weather or excessive hot weather will bring that population in,” Wicks said. “And it’s not a large population. We know one or two people that prefer to stay out in their cars and parks but with extreme weather they will come in.”

Hope Haven doesn’t have any special programs for winter, Wicks said, but the shelter does employ a registered nurse as a part of its clinical staff. The shelter also provides information about how to prevent frostbite in freezing weather.

Asked what the community could do to aid Hope Haven’s mission, Wicks said the shelter needs blankets. She said the shelter could also use pillows, towels and fitted sheets for twin mattresses.

“Because we do serve a lot of people, almost a hundred a night – if you include all of our programs – so that’s a lot of stuff we need on an ongoing basis,” Wicks said. “A part of that is the shelter will stay full because of the weather and it will also bring in extra people which requires extra bedding.”

Angie Shaulis, Hope Haven’s emergency shelter coordinator, said the men’s side of the shelter has stayed the busiest this winter. As of Friday, Jan. 6, at least a couple of people staying at the shelter are sleeping on makeshift beds out of cots.

Wicks, who develops programs, supervises the staff and conducts public relations for the shelter, said the positive remarks she most often hears from those staying at the Hope Haven heralds the shelter’s culture.

“It’s a very supportive and empowering and almost homelike feeling in the shelter,” Wicks said. “I know it’s only a temporary house for people that’s there. We definitely want them to be treated with respect and dignity. And so I think they really like the culture and how they’re treated at Hope Haven.”

One of the shelter’s residents, James, said he likes how the staff keeps him honest about financial goals he’s set for himself. James said his most recent paycheck was smaller than normal because of reduced holiday hours at his work, so he ended up using the money he earned to support his family. He said a staff member encouraged him to save some of his income, saying every little bit counts.

Wicks currently is working from home so she can focus on writing a grant proposal for the shelter to go toward needed renovations.

Women and men have separate sleeping and commons areas inside the emergency shelter. Each common room has couches, tables and a TV. Bunk beds are lined in rows in the men’s sleeping area, along with a couple of cots.

On Jan. 6, plumbers were at the facility, repairing an issue near the shelter’s kitchen. Repairs like those are something Wicks is focusing on while working from home to write a grant proposal.

“The shelter was built 22 years ago so it’s had some wear and tear, so really we’d like to replace some flooring and upgrade one of the bathrooms in the family dorm. So that’s what I’m writing the grant for,” Wicks said.

Camden Lazenby – clazenby@shawmedia.com Angie Shoulis, Hope Haven’s emergency shelter coordinator, gives a tour of the shelter’s small kitchen on Friday, Jan. 6.

“I know it’s only a temporary house for people that’s there. We definitely want them to be treated with respect and dignity.”

Lesly Wicks

Hope Haven executive director

DeKalb County Courthouse E-Notify program expands

DeKALB – DeKalb County Circuit Clerk Lori Grubbs and Chief Judge Bradley Waller recently announced the expansion of the courthouse’s E-Notify program.

The program allows individuals who register to receive text or email alerts of upcoming civil and criminal court events, according to a news release.

The program is a service for defendants or interested parties to register for and receive a courtesy reminder of an upcoming hearing. E-Notify is designed to fulfill the legislature’s direction to provide the option for alerts to court patrons.

Court patrons should be aware that E-Notify is an optional courtesy service for court events and is not a legal notice, nor shall it be construed to be one.

Anyone who signs up can enter the case number they want to receive notifications on, along with their cellphone number or email address. Users will receive a text or email alert five days and one day before their court date.

To register, visit circuitclerk.org and click the link under the “Court Date Alerts” heading or scan a QR available on posters at the courthouse.

AARP Tax-Aide offers free tax preparation

DeKALB – The AARP Tax-Aide will offer a free tax preparation program for 2023.

The program will be by appointment only at five locations in DeKalb, Sycamore, Genoa and LaSalle, according to a news release.

Volunteers will provide free tax preparation assistance. A special focus is being given to taxpayers who are age 50 or older or have a low to moderate income.

This year’s tax preparation times and sites include: • Noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays at Elder Care Services, 1701 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb. For appointments, call 815-7586550. • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays at the LaSalle Public Library, 305 Marquette St., LaSalle. For appointments, call 815-2232341.

• Noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays at Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave., Sycamore. For appointments, call 815-501-5696. • 9 a.m. to noon Fridays and Saturdays at Genoa Community Food Hub, 415 W. Main St., Genoa. For appointments, call 815-751-5826. • 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays at the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., DeKalb. For appointments, call 815-9919418.

Sunrise Rotary awards $10K in community grants

SYCAMORE – The Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club recently completed its sixth year of award selections for its annual Community Grant for Children, Youth and Families of DeKalb County.

The club awarded $10,000 to Opportunity House Inc., Hinckley Area Food Pantry and 4C: Community Coordinated Child Care, according to a news release.

Opportunity House will purchase materials to make accessibility improvements at two of its group homes. The Hinckley Area Food Pantry is funding a Food4Kids snack program, providing healthy snacks for elementary school students for an entire calendar year. 4C will offer two parenting workshops focusing on child growth and development, communication and fostering self-esteem.

The club raises money every year at the “Taste of DeKalb” event in September, in conjunction with the Corn Classic Run, to fund an annual $10,000 grant to local nonprofit organizations with a project that will directly benefit children, youth, and/or families in the county. The club has awarded over $40,000 in community grants since 2017.

The Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club is a chapter of Rotary International that provides services for the elderly, youth, and disabled, provides vocational service, awards scholarships, and promotes international understanding through educational and humanitarian programs in the northern DeKalb County area.

For information, email kishwaukeesunriserotary@gmail.com. – Shaw Local News Network

Dr. Z has been in the area for 29 years 15 Minutes West of Somonauk

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