The 21st Show

Helping Homeless People in Extreme Cold

 
Jan. 27, 2014, file photo, ice forms as waves crash along the Lake Michigan shore in Chicago.

Jan. 27, 2014, file photo, ice forms as waves crash along the Lake Michigan shore in Chicago. AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato

Temperatures across Illinois have continued to dip into the single digits and for people experiencing homelessness, this type of weather can be life-threatening. Volunteers and shelters around Illinois have worked to get people housed and provide warm clothing. However, there are simply now enough places for people to go — and that has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting capacity and closing many warming centers that would otherwise have been open.

The 21st heard from shelters and advocates about how to help support people who are experiencing homelessness through the pandemic and cold temperatures.

Guests:

Kay Larrick, Executive Director, Carpenter's Place (Rockford) 

Matt Burgess, Chief Operating Officer, Home Sweet Home Ministries (Bloomington)  

Robert Henderson, Grassroots Leader, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

 

Prepared for web by Zainab Qureshi

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