Category: In the News

All Chicago Making Homelessness History Names Peter Toepfer as President and Chief Executive Officer

August 27, 2026

Experienced housing and health leader to guide All Chicago 

CHICAGO, IL — August 27, 2026 — All Chicago Making Homelessness History (All Chicago) today announced the appointment of Peter S. Toepfer as Chief Executive Officer and President, ushering in a new chapter for the organization. 

Toepfer brings more than two decades of experience across housing, homelessness response, healthcare partnerships, and nonprofit leadership. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Housing at AIDS Foundation Chicago and Executive Director of its subsidiary, the Center for Housing and Health, where he advances innovative models that connect housing, health systems, racial equity, and care for people experiencing homelessness and living with chronic conditions. 

Following a robust and thoughtful search process, the All Chicago Board of Directors unanimously voted Toepfer into the top leadership seat.  

Leticia Reyes-Nash, Chair of the All Chicago Board of Directors, said, “Pete brings the rare combination of strategic vision, operational excellence, and genuine heart for this work. We believe Pete will strengthen the resources, relationships, and visibility needed to move our city closer to ending homelessness.”  

In his current roles, Toepfer leads large-scale housing operations and collaborations among service providers, healthcare organizations, and public systems. His leadership includes oversight of programs that distribute thousands of monthly housing subsidies and homelessness prevention resources, stewardship of a $50 million annual budget, and guidance of significant organizational growth over the past decade. He is widely recognized for advancing public-private partnerships, policy advocacy, racial equity initiatives, and research that integrates health systems, managed care, and housing data to improve outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness. 

“I am honored to join All Chicago at such an important moment for our community,” said Toepfer. “All Chicago has long been a convener, advocate, and trusted partner in the work to prevent and end homelessness. I am excited to bring energy, urgency, and collaboration to this next chapter, working alongside staff, the Board, community partners, people with lived experience, and public and private leaders to strengthen the systems and solutions that help every Chicagoan have a stable home.” 

Toepfer has spent more than 20 years working with people experiencing homelessness in both direct service and leadership roles. He has led collaborations focused on dismantling systemic barriers facing people experiencing homelessness and living with chronic health conditions, including HIV. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the National HIV/AIDS Housing Coalition and the Chicago Continuum of Care. Toepfer completed undergraduate work at Boston College and graduate studies at DePaul University. 

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.  

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Ben Applegate Receives All Chicago’s Norman H. Stone Award

August 20, 2026

CHICAGO, IL — August 20, 2026 — All Chicago is proud to recognize Ben Applegate Sr., attorney, former managing partner, and founding partner at Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen, a law firm dedicated to community development projects, as the winner of the 2026 Norman H. Stone Award.

The award will be presented at the annual Breakfast with All Chicago on October 8, 2026.

The Stone Award recognizes individuals who seek out and create solutions to problems facing their communities, encourage collaboration among peers to serve the community, and practice or support philanthropy throughout the Chicago area. Mr. Applegate specializes in providing legal and financial expertise to the affordable housing projects of for-profit and non-profit developers and investors. His experience makes him a trusted advisor throughout the process of structuring and negotiating housing development transactions, especially when problems arise.

Throughout his career, Applegate has demonstrated a deep commitment to using his legal expertise to support nonprofits and create positive change for Chicagoans. This commitment is exemplified by his longstanding involvement with Mercy Housing Lakefront, where he has served as an attorney, volunteer, and board member since its founding in 1986. In these roles, Applegate helped support the organization’s development of a unique housing and service delivery model designed to meet the needs of low-income individuals while preserving single-room occupancy housing in Chicago.

Applegate has also served in several leadership roles related to affordable housing, including serving as a former president and current Executive Committee Member of the National Housing and Rehabilitation Association, Director and Founding President of the Illinois Housing Council, past chair of the American Bar Association Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development, and member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Continuum of Care.

With his tireless dedication to affordable housing in Chicago, Ben Applegate embodies the values of the Stone Award. All Chicago is thrilled to present him with this honor at Breakfast with All Chicago on Thursday, October 8. Learn more about the annual fundraiser and purchase tickets at the links below.

Learn More About BWAC
Tickets & Sponsorships for BWAC

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. 

Media Contact Hank Sartin, hsartin@allchicago.org, 872-291-127

Donald Whitehead Named Keynote Speaker for Breakfast with All Chicago

August 6, 2026

Chicago, IL — August 6, 2026— All Chicago is thrilled to welcome Donald Whitehead, Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, as the keynote speaker for this year’s Breakfast with All Chicago. Drawing from his own lived experience of homelessness and recovery from addiction, he has dedicated his career to transforming systems and advocating for housing justice. Breakfast with All Chicago will be held on October 8 from 8:00-10:30am at the University Club of Chicago. You can learn more and purchase tickets and sponsorships at this link. 
 
Throughout his career, Whitehead has led some of the country’s most impactful homelessness response organizations including serving as the Executive Director of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, Assistant Director at St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, Program Director at Ohio Valley Goodwill, and Grant Manager at Goodwill of Greater Washington. 

As a national leader, Whitehead has testified before Congress and played a key role in the landmark “Bringing America Home Act” which first recognized housing as a human right and explicitly established ending homelessness as a national goal. His leadership on a regional and national level earned him numerous honors, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Congressional Black Caucus and a Special Recognition Award from Congress. 

Whitehead has also become a trusted voice on homelessness, appearing on the Dr. Phil show, CBS News, ABC News, FOX TV, CNN, MSNBC, C-Span, NEWSMAX, CBS Radio, NPR, The Tavis Smiley Show, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, and many other national and international outlets. 

Donald Whitehead’s story is one of resilience, leadership and hope, and challenges all of us to imagine what is possible when communities come together to ensure that all our neighbors have a safe place to call home. 

We are honored to welcome Donald Whitehead to this year’s Breakfast with All Chicago and can’t wait for our community to hear his inspiring message. We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a powerful and unforgettable morning. 

Learn More About BWAC
Tickets & Sponsorships for BWAC

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. 

Reggie Allen Named Interim CEO of All Chicago

June 15, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 15, 2026

All Chicago Making Homelessness History Names Reggie Allen Interim Chief Executive Officer

All Chicago Making Homelessness History (All Chicago) today announced the appointment of Reggie Allen as Interim Chief Executive Officer as the organization conducts a national search for its next permanent CEO following the retirement of longtime leader Carolyn Ross.

Allen joined All Chicago in 2023, first serving as Senior Vice President of People and Operations and has since been promoted to Chief Operations Officer. In this interim capacity, he will provide executive leadership and ensure continuity of the organization’s mission, strategic priorities and operations during the transition period.

“Reggie has been a valued member of our leadership team and has demonstrated a strong commitment to our mission and the communities we serve,” said Leticia Reyes-Nash, Chair of the All Chicago Board of Directors. “His operational expertise and collaborative leadership style make him exceptionally well-positioned to guide the organization during this important transition.”

Since joining All Chicago, Allen has played a key role in strengthening organizational operations and supporting the organization’s efforts to coordinate resources, partnerships, and data-driven strategies that help prevent and end homelessness throughout Chicago.

“I am honored to serve as Interim CEO during this period of transition,” said Allen. “All Chicago has a long history of bringing together partners across sectors to create meaningful pathways out of homelessness. I look forward to working collaboratively with our executive team, dedicated staff, Board of Directors, and community partners to continue advancing that mission while supporting a seamless leadership transition.”

The All Chicago Board of Directors has launched a search process to identify the organization’s next permanent CEO and will work closely with Allen throughout the transition.

The organization also expressed its gratitude to Carolyn Ross for her years of leadership and service. Under Ross’s leadership, All Chicago strengthened its role as a backbone organization in the region’s homelessness response system, advancing innovative strategies, partnerships, and investments that have helped thousands of people secure and maintain housing.

“Carolyn’s leadership has left an enduring impact on All Chicago and the broader community,” said Reyes-Nash. “We are deeply grateful for her contributions and wish her all the best in her retirement.”

Throughout the search process, All Chicago remains focused on its mission of preventing and ending homelessness through collaboration, innovation, and the effective coordination of housing and supportive services.

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. 

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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. 

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.” 

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.

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.   

Every Night Out in the Cold: Volunteers count the city’s homeless

January 31, 2019

It was 11:26 p.m. on Jan. 24, the first coldest night so far in January. Without gloves, we felt the pain from fingers exposed to the cruel wind as we wrote down his age, gender, race and the place and time we met him on the tally for the count.

Together with two other volunteers, we were out driving and searching for homeless people in downtown Chicago from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. for the 2019 Point-in-Time Count of Homeless Persons, an annual count since 2005 organized by the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) to better understand the homeless population and needs in Chicago during a few hours on one given night in January. The data offers an important direction for federal funding, homeless service, and resource planning.

Read the full article here: https://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/every-night-out-in-the-cold-volunteers-count-the-citys-homeless/

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