Author: Hank Sartin

Leticia Reyes-Nash Named Board Chair of All Chicago

May 7, 2026

Chicago, IL — May 7, 2026— All Chicago Making Homelessness History announces Leticia Reyes-Nash will serve as Board Chair of All Chicago. A member of the board since 2017, Reyes-Nash will serve in this role for a two-year term. 

“Leticia brings a methodical understanding of the day-to-day work of social services, a proven track record in advocacy and policy work, and a deep set of connections in Chicago and across the region in both government and the philanthropic community,” said Carolyn K. Ross, All Chicago’s President & CEO. “We are fortunate to have her helping guide our work.” 

Reyes-Nash, MBA, is a Regional Director at Health Management Associates, a leading independent national research and consulting firm in the healthcare industry. She brings 20 years of experience leading policy advocacy projects and community engagement specifically focused on the health sector. Prior to joining Health Management Associates, she served as the director of programmatic services and innovation at Cook County Health, and at the Illinois Department of Public Health, she served as the chief of health policy. 

Reyes-Nash is experienced in managing grassroots advocacy and organizing. In addition to her extensive healthcare and government experience, she has managed statewide field operations for political campaigns in seven states.   

She earned a master’s degree in business administration from National Louis University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.  Reyes-Nash was named Robert Wood Johnson, Culture of Health Leader in 2017,  has served as a Girl Scout leader for over eight years for her daughter’s troop, is currently a fellow for Leadership Greater Chicago, and is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago.    

About All Chicago All Chicago Making Homelessness History’s mission is to unite our community and resources to provide solutions that ensure and sustain the stability of home. All Chicago prevents and ends homelessness through four signature approaches: Emergency financial assistance, community partnerships, data analytics, and training/research. By bringing our partners together and using data to inform decisions, we are creating an effective system in Chicago, so that all of our neighbors have a place to call home. 

Join us on October 16th for Breakfast with All Chicago!

September 12, 2025

Thursday, October 16, 2025 8:00 am-10:00am
Chicago University Club

Every year, our All Chicago community gathers to celebrate our collective achievements and renew our commitment to a future where everyone has a place to call home.

All Chicago plays a crucial role in our community by providing emergency financial assistance, fostering community partnerships, managing data analytics for our partners, and offering essential training and research support.

We look forward to seeing you at this inspiring event. Enjoy a delightful breakfast, connect with fellow supporters, and hear powerful stories of how we are making a difference together. Your presence and generosity help ensure that we can continue our mission to end homelessness and build a stronger, more compassionate community.

Learn more and get tickets by pressing the button below!

Get Tickets

Sponsorships are also available. IF you are interested, press the button below!

Sponsorships

Congratulations to our 2025 Stone Awardee:

Shana Hayes

Shana Hayes, Senior VP, Chief Social Impact Officer at Northern Trust Bank

We’re honored to present the 2025 Norman H. Stone Award to Shana Hayes for her tireless work pursuing solutions to the problems facing our communities, including homelessness, and her fostering of collaboration and collective impact in addressing these issues.

Shana Hayes is Senior Vice President and Chief Social Impact Officer at Northern Trust, where she leads the firm’s global philanthropic strategy and advances community development investment initiatives. Under her guidance, Northern Trust continues to deepen its legacy as a responsible corporate citizen—enhancing access to vital resources, empowering individuals to reach their fullest potential, and nurturing pathways to sustained financial success.

This year’s Key to Hope Awardee is Ogden Management Group!

The Key to Hope Award recognizes an outstanding property partner whose collaboration with All Chicago helps provide safe, stable housing for our neighbors in need. This honor celebrates the vital role our partners play in opening doors, building community, and advancing our shared mission to end homelessness in Chicago.

What sets them apart is their commitment to second chances, often going beyond standard screening practices to ensure housing is a foundation for stability, not a reward for perfection.Their compassion, reliability, and alignment with the Housing First approach make them a model for property management partners everywhere.

Thank you, Ogden Managment Group!

Introducing Our Keynote Speaker for BWAC 2025:

Natalie Y. Moore

Natalie Y. Moore is a senior lecturer at Northwestern University, award-winning journalist, author, and playwright known for her reporting on race, housing, and segregation in Chicago. A longtime reporter and editor at WBEZ, her work has been featured on NPR, Marketplace, the BBC, and in outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, and The Guardian. 


She is the author of The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation, which won the 2016 Chicago Review of Books Award and was named a best book of the year by Buzzfeed. She is also co-author of The Almighty Black P Stone Nation and Deconstructing Tyrone. 


Moore has received numerous honors, including the Studs Terkel Community Media Award, the 21st Century Award from the Chicago Public Library Foundation, and a Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. She was named Best Journalist by the Chicago Reader in 2017 and received an honorary doctorate from Adler University. 


Also a playwright, her Jeff Award-winning play The Billboard premiered in 2022. She is a resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists.

 
At the 2025 Breakfast with All Chicago, Moore will draw on her expertise to explore the systemic causes of homelessness and housing inequity. 

Faith Community Leaders Gather to Discuss Homelessness

August 1, 2025

Local leaders in the Chicago faith community gathered on July 30 to discuss homelessness and how their churches, temples and mosques can offer effective help for people experiencing homelessness. The meeting, which brought together over 60 faith leaders, was organized by All Chicago Making Homelessness History and Bishop Shirley Coleman of the Spiritual Wholistic Ministries of Love & Faith. The attendees discussed their own churches’ work to help those experiencing homelessness, and expressed their desire to coordinate resources. 

Bishop Coleman urged the attendees to act as “pastors to the whole of our community,” including people experiencing homelessness. “It was important to bring together the community because truly charity starts at home and it starts at our church,” Coleman said. “I had not seen the community of faith brought together to address homelessness from a faith-based perspective in this way. As servants, we must lead with compassion and hope, and that’s what our unhoused neighbors need, especially in this time.” 

A panel of leaders discussed their organizations’ experiences working to address homelessness, weighing in on the challenges they have faced and sharing advice and insights about how the faith-based community can work together to be as effective as possible. Nicole Bahena, Vice President of Community Partnerships at All Chicago, noted that the faith-based community are often the first responders for people experiencing homelessness, just as they are in so many crises in the community. 

Sherri Allen-Reeves, Executive Director of the Phoenix Foundation, painted a clear picture of the history of disinvestment that has exacerbated homelessness, including the closing of mental health centers, the lack of support programs for people dealing with substance use, and the lack of truly affordable housing. She noted that the Phoenix Foundation has found it essential to build partnerships with organizations such as Street Samaritans and Ch-Care to provide essential expertise. “You have to find the partners, the organizations who can help you.” 

Matt DeMateo, the Chief Executive Officer of New Life Centers, discussed his organization’s work to address homelessness. New Life Centers has a range of programs for people experiencing homelessness, and ran seven shelters during the influx of new arrivals in 2023 and 2024. He cautioned that this work is demanding, and advised attendees to look for partnerships with other churches, temples, mosques and organizations rather than trying to go it alone. “If you go it alone, this work can burn you out fast. Find the people doing the work already, because we know how to get things done,” DeMateo said. 

Dr. Shelia Martin, Executive Administrator of the Wholistic Alliance, talked about treating people with dignity and respect. “When we are working with people experiencing homelessness, we greet them by their name, as Mister or Miss, just as we would anyone in our community. That means something.” Martin also noted how crucial it has been to make connections to other organizations that offer different services so that referrals are easy. “We serve primarily single men experiencing homelessness, but we had to learn about other places that work with families. That connection is crucial.” 

During a Q&A session, many attendees expressed a desire to learn more. “We want to do more, but we need to know what resources there are,” noted one participant. Some attendees spoke of their own personal experience of homelessness and urged compassion and respect. “You don’t know how much a welcoming smile and an open heart can mean,” said Martin.  

Bishop Coleman noted that this meeting is the beginning of something larger, and she and All Chicago’s President and CEO Carolyn K. Ross committed to continuing the conversation. “Now we have come together, and we have a foundation to build on. We know there is a desire to do more, and to work together. We will be listening to feedback from everyone who attended today, and reaching out to expand our network,” said Coleman. “This is the beginning of something.” 

All Chicago In Bloom!

May 9, 2025

On Thursday, June 26, 2025, the All Chicago Associate Board is hosting their inaugural fundraiser to support solutions that end homelessness in our city – and we want YOU there.  

Join us on Thursday, June 26 from 6pm until 8pm at Industrious, 171 N. Aberdeen Street, 4th floor.

Learn more and purchase tickets

What to Expect:

  • A vibrant evening with Chicago’s changemakers
  • Delicious summer inspired bites and botanical cocktails
  • DJ’d summer hits, a live auction, and raffle prize
  • DIY Mini-Bouquet Bar
  • Impact stories that inspire

Your ticket directly supports All Chicago’s mission to prevent and end homelessness – every bloom begins with a seed, and your presence plants hope!

Vir Guiang Named Chief Financial Officer of All Chicago

April 8, 2024

Chicago, IL — April 8, 2024— All Chicago Making Homelessness History today announced Vir Guiang has joined All Chicago as the Chief Financial Officer, effective April 8, 2024.

With a career spanning across both profit-driven corporations and now in the realm of social impact, Vir Guiang brings a blend of financial acumen and passion for societal change to his role as Chief Financial Officer at All Chicago.

Prior to joining All Chicago, Vir Guiang held pivotal roles in various profit-oriented organizations, including a multinational bank, a startup, and a Fortune 500 company. His diverse experience in navigating the complexities of financial markets, strategic planning, and operational efficiency has equipped him with invaluable insights into fiscal management and risk mitigation strategies.

Vir Guiang transitioned to the non-profit sector to contribute his expertise towards combating one of society’s most pressing issues: homelessness. At All Chicago, he spearheads financial strategies that empower the organization to fulfill its mission of ending homelessness through innovative programs, collaborative partnerships, and data-driven solutions.

Vir Guiang is dedicated to fostering transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility within All Chicago, ensuring that every dollar invested translates into meaningful impact for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Vir Guiang earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from DePaul University and holds a CPA. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.  Simultaneously, he channels his passion for boxing by teaching to both children and adults, offering not only physical fitness but also confidence, discipline, and personal empowerment. Additionally, Vir Guiang is actively involved in volunteering with The Birthday Party Project. This organization holds a special place in his heart as they work to bring joy to children experiencing homelessness through the magic of a birthday celebration

About All Chicago All Chicago Making Homelessness History’s mission is to unite our community and resources to provide solutions that ensure and sustain the stability of home. All Chicago prevents and ends homelessness through four signature approaches: Emergency financial assistance, community partnerships, data analytics, and training/research. By bringing our partners together and using data to inform decisions, we are creating an effective system in Chicago, so that all of our neighbors have a place to call home.

Expedited Housing Initiative: Lessons Learned Report Released

March 14, 2024

All Chicago has released Expedited Housing Housing Initiative: Lessons Learned, which reflects on the EHI initiative, areas for improvement and opportunities for the future. The COVID-19 crisis that began in March 2020 demanded action to safeguard people from the risks of the pandemic. The Expedited Housing Initiative (EHI) was established to support households experiencing homelessness at highest risk of COVID-19 complications and ensure that they could safely socially distance. EHI was a collaborative effort between All Chicago, the Chicago Department of Public Health, and the Chicago Continuum of Care. All Chicago coordinated and managed EHI while in operation from October 2020 through December 2022. Numerous social service agency partners delivered direct services.

EHI leveraged an unprecedented reduction of barriers and an increase in federal funding. This allowed Chicago to test leading national practices to speed progress toward ending homelessness in Chicago. This report analyzes the qualitative and quantitative data, providing important information that can be incorporated into policies, system implementation, and programmatic standards, both embedding success and creating a foundation for continued learning and additional improvements.

Read the Full Report

All Chicago’s Beth Horwitz participates in Harvard discussion of homelessness

March 1, 2024

Beth Horwitz, All Chicago Vice President of Strategy and Innovation, joined Jeff Olivet of the Unites States Interagency Council on Homelessness for a discussion of homelessness and the results of the 2023 Point in Time Count. Read more about the conversation, or view the full recording of this in-depth discussion of the most recent Point in Time statistics, how the housing crisis relates to homelessness, and new approaches to addressing homelessness.

New Program Asks Landlords To Rent Vacant Apartments To Folks In Need

August 9, 2023

Chicago Rents offers incentives to property owners, such as timely payments on behalf of the resident and referral bonuses if they rent affordable apartments to low-income residents.

At Block Club Chicago, Ariel Parrella-Aureli reports on how Chicago Rents, an initiative by All Chicago, connects landlords with renters through federal and state housing subsidy programs, provides building owners with financial incentives to rent vacant units to low-income renters, advertises properties for free and provides individualized case support for residents in the program.

Read the full article on Block Club Chicago.

Photo Credit: Erik Czaja/All Chicago

About All Chicago Making Homelessness History 

All Chicago prevents and ends homelessness through four signature approaches – Emergency Financial Assistance, Community Partnerships, Data Analytics, and Training. Learn more at allchicago.org.   

Media requests should be directed to Hank Sartin, Director of Communications at All Chicago, at hsartin@allchicago.org or 872-291-1278.   

Chicago Leases 100% Emergency Housing Vouchers Through Partnership with All Chicago, Chicago Continuum of Care, and the Chicago Housing Authority

June 8, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CHICAGO – As of May 2023, 100% of the Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs), issued to Chicago last year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), have been leased. Through the EHVs, 1,170 families who were homeless or at risk of homelessness now have stable and secure housing.

In 2021 Chicago was awarded 1,165 EHVs, the country’s 6th largest allocation of vouchers, as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The utilization of the EHVs was a collaborative effort involving All Chicago, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), and numerous homelessness service providers with the Chicago Continuum of Care (CoC).

CHA worked with the Chicago Continuum of Care (CoC), All Chicago, and other city agencies and nonprofit organizations to ensure the EHVs were leased in conjunction with appropriate services.

“The successful utilization of these EHVs is largely due to the CoC’s quick action and partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority and All Chicago,” said Nicole Bahena, VP of Community Partnerships at All Chicago. “All Chicago coordinated referrals into EHVs and provided significant training, technical assistance, and coordination between CoC providers and CHA. In addition, Chicago Rents, a CoC program hosted by All Chicago, provided unity location services for those going into EHVs. Because of this system-level coordination, EHVs were being leased as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Watch CBS-2’s Story about EHV recipient Joe Ann Williams.

About All Chicago Making Homelessness History 

All Chicago’s mission is to unite our community and resources to provide solutions that ensure and sustain the stability of a home. All Chicago prevents and ends homelessness through four signature approaches Emergency Financial Assistance, Community Partnerships, Data Analytics, and Training. Learn more at allchicago.org.  

Media requests should be directed to Hank Sartin, Director of Communications at All Chicago, at hsartin@allchicago.org or 872-291-1278.   

HUD Awards $5.6 Billion in Annual Grants for Affordable Housing, Community Development, and Homeless Assistance

February 27, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced $5.6 billion in funding will go to 1,200 communities through more than 2,400 grants to States, urban counties, insular areas, DC, Puerto Rico, and local organizations across the country. These annual formula grants provide critical funding for a wide range of activities including affordable housing, community development, and homeless assistance. View a complete list of all the communities who received funding.

“Viable communities must promote integrated approaches to develop decent housing, suitable living environments, and expand economic opportunities to the most vulnerable,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “These funds allow communities to address their unique needs by prioritizing what matters most to their residents and letting them own their investments in community development through these important federal resources.”

“This funding allows communities to address their most pressing local needs, providing flexible resources to build homes, support renters and homeowners, provide life-saving assistance to people experiencing homelessness, and improve public facilities, community resilience, and local economies,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Marion McFadden. “HUD’s annual formula block grants allow states and localities to invest in the success of neighborhoods and allow people of modest means to thrive.”

The grants announced today are provided through the following HUD programs:

  • $3.3 billion to 1239 states and localities to build stronger communities — The Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, counties, and insular areas to develop stronger, more resilient communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income people. In 2022 the program helped over 60,000 families through housing activities, 46,000 individuals through job creation or retention, 83,500 people experiencing homelessness through improvements to homelessness facilities, over 5.3 million people through public services, and over 39 million people through public improvements.
  • $1.5 billion to 664 participating jurisdictions to produce affordable housing — The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) is the primary Federal tool of States and local governments to produce affordable rental and owner-occupied housing for low-income families. HOME funds a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance to low-income people. HOME projects leverage non-federal funds including, in many cases, tax credits for affordable rental housing. In 2022 the program helped create over 15,000 units of housing and nearly 17,000 households were assisted with tenant based rental assistance through the HOME program.
  • $499 million to 130 qualifying cities and eligible states to connect people with HIV/AIDS to housing and support — The Housing Opportunities for Persons With HIV/AIDS (HOPWA) program provides stable and permanent housing assistance and supportive services to low-income people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Over 100,000 households receive HOPWA housing assistance and/or supportive services annually.
  • $290 million to 359 states and localities to address homelessness — Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) provides funds for homeless shelters, assists in the operation of local shelters, and funds related social service and homeless prevention programs. Recipients enable people to quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness. ESG funds may be used for street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, and rapid re-housing assistance. Annually, ESG connects over 350,000 people to emergency shelter as they transition to permanent housing
  • $30 million to 23 States and the District of Columbia to support recovery from substance use disorder — The Recovery Housing Program (RHP) allows States and the District of Columbia to provide stable, transitional housing for individuals in recovery from a substance-use disorder.

Combined the programs will provide critically needed funding to thousands of local programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands.

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HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
More information about HUD and its programs is available at www.hud.gov and https://espanol.hud.gov.

You can also connect with HUD on social media and follow Secretary Fudge on Twitter and Facebook or sign up for news alerts on HUD’s Email List.

HUD COVID-19 Resources and Fact Sheets

Learn More About HUD’s Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity Work

About All Chicago Making Homelessness History 

All Chicago prevents and ends homelessness through four signature approaches – Emergency Financial Assistance, Community Partnerships, Data Analytics, and Training. Learn more at allchicago.org.   

Media requests should be directed to Hank Sartin, Director of Communications at All Chicago, at hsartin@allchicago.org or 872-291-1278.