Ashley Paige Allen's experience with homelessness began when her father was sent to prison, leaving her mother to raise three children alone. It was difficult for her mother to pay rent and bills with the $8-an-hour she earned as a retail sales associate. Ashley and her family spent more than 10 years living in family shelters, doubled up with relatives, or in low-income housing and hotels to keep a roof over their heads. Ashley now holds bachelor's and master's degrees in her field, and works in Chicago.
Mary Baker is a mother of three who has experienced homelessness on and off since 1997. She has worked hard to make sure her children get a good education. Mary has been active with the coalition almost 15 years, fighting to make sure that all families have opportunities to improve their lives.
"Rabbit" is one of thousands of youth across Illinois who doesn’t have to imagine what homelessness is like -- he's lived it. After growing up in an abusive home, "Rabbit" became homeless at 17 when his mom kicked him out of the house. Still, he succeeded in graduating from Marshall High School in 2004. He has traveled several times to Springfield to tell his story to state legislators, fighting for policy changes that will help other homeless youth and young adults like him.
Gloria Evans is a formerly incarcerated women who is creating a new life for herself. While living at Grace House, a transitional housing facility for women, Gloria become interested in public policy, going to Springfield and participating in rallies. She has things to tell people that they might not have thought about and give people a different outlook on formerly incarcerated and homeless people.
Leeanna Majors has learned a great deal from her experience with homelessness. Low self-esteem was her greatest enemy. Her first step to recovery was learning to love herself. She is motivated to share about her life experience, because she wants people to understand how we can come together and make change. She has seen that after people hear her story, see her face, and understand that her face is the face of many, they believe in their ability to make a difference.
Stephanie Hooker lives at Deborah’s Place, a supportive housing program for low-income women. She has been a leader with Chicago Coalition for the Homeless for four years, and was honored during the 2009 Annual Meeting for extensive public speaking about the need to include affordable housing in the state's capital budget. She has taken groups around Springfield to educate legislators about homelessness and met with Chicago aldermen. She formerly worked at the Chicago Hilton and is proud to report that her daughter is now a successful attorney.
Melody Brynne DeGagne, 56, has three grown children. After her husband died in 2004, she tried to overcome her grief, but eventually she lost her job and then her housing. She had to move into a West Side women's shelter. After eight months of hard struggle, she found a subsidized apartment where she lives with her new husband, Paul. She has spoken with legislators, policymakers, civic groups, churches, and other audiences to forward the cause of ending homelessness.
Miracle was raised by a single mother in the Uptown and Rogers Park neighborhoods. Her mother worked two low-wage jobs as a motel maid and in a laundromat. From the time Miracle was 5 years old until she left for the military at age 18, she and her mom lived doubled up with relatives or friends. Those living arrangements were sometimes short-lived because they were seen as a burden. Having nowhere to go, Miracle and her mother often lived in places that were uninhabitable, such as basement laundryrooms. After the military, Miracle earned her college degree and now works for a local service provider.
Jose Vasquez is a resident of Mercy Housing’s South Loop SRO Apartments. Jose, 66, is a former day laborer and newspaper vendor. During the four years he lived on Lower Wacker Drive, Jose rose at 4 a.m. to sell the Chicago Sun-Times, earning a dime a copy to buy food for himself and a disabled buddy. Active at CCH since 2004, Jose worked three years as coodinator of its Fair Trade coffee project. Jose advocates for living wages jobs.
Johnnie Lee Savory learned about CCH when he met an organizer reaching out to "ex-offenders" to talk about re-entry issues. His first task was educating legislators about the SMART Act, an alternative to incarceration. Helped by Northwestern University's Innocence Project, Johnnie had spent 30 years fighting his wrongful conviction, and now that he is out, to clear his name. Johnnie says he fights for the thousands of voiceless victims and families affected by this issue.
Helen Smith, 50, became involved in prostitution at age 13. Her work with the Prostitution Alternatives Round Table has given her a sense of purpose and the strength to work toward a positive life. Helen cares for her aging mother and searches for a job that will hire her with her background. Her avocation is fighting for policy changes that will help other prostitution survivors lead better lives.
Charles Jenkins has been involved at CCH for more than a decade. He first got involved during shelter outreach, buoyed by the realization that "good people are out there fighting for change." After getting involved in an effort to create affordable housing, Charles was inspired to address his homelessness. A long-time community activist, Charles enjoys challenging an audience to get involved in the fight to end homelessness.
Cary Martin speaks about the harsh reality of growing up without a home of one's own. Cary's mother lost her Section 8 housing subsidy when Cary was 10 years old. Cycling between the streets and the system, Cary and her sister became wards of the state when Cary was 13. Cary fought hard to obtain an education in the midst of poverty, homelessness and social isolation. A former summer law intern at CCH, Cary earned her law degree from Northwestern University and now works as attorney in Chicago. Cary speaks about her experience as a homeless youth and the role education plays in breaking the cycle of poverty and dependence.
