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.”