Deborah's Place

The founders named the organization "Deborah's Place" after an Old Testament story about a judge named Deborah, who raised an army of 10,000 soldiers to free oppressed people. They received assistance from the Immaculate Conception Church in Chicago in order to host their first overnight emergency women's shelter in the church's gymnasium. Kathy Booton Wilson is the fourth and current CEO of Deborah's Place, and has worked for the organization for over 30 years. == History ==

With help from the Community Emergency Shelter Organization (CESO), Deborah's Place was able to create an its first overnight shelter for women on the North side of Chicago. The organization's first overnight shelter was opened in 1985 in a church gymnasium at the location of 1404 North Sedgwick Ave., Chicago, Illinois. The staff included three people with 25 volunteers and a budget of $69,000. By 1987 the organization was granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status. In 1998, Womancraft Inc, a for-profit program was launched, which employed participants of Deborah's Place to make jewelry and paper decorations to help raise funds for the organization. By 2004, the switch to providing long-term stability occurred and the organization opened its first daytime shelter in Bucktown, Chicago, along with a transitional housing program with the purpose of helping homeless women find housing and income. == Philosophy ==

Locations in Garfield Park and Old Town offer Permanent Supportive Housing to women who've experienced homelessness. Based on the philosophy of Housing First, the organization strives to meet women where they are, with the goal that once a woman comes to Deborah's Place she will never be homeless again. This includes the evidence-based practice of Harm Reduction, which provides resources to reduce the risks of engaging in dangerous behavior such as drug use rather than enforcing sobriety as a condition of maintaining housing. Supportive community is also key to the organization's philosophy of healing from the trauma of homelessness. == Housing programs and services ==

Deborah's Place offers interim and permanent housing that are all linked to supportive services at four locations throughout Chicago. Housing is for transitional purposes, which provides supportive services to become self-sufficient. Locations on the West and North Side of Chicago include supportive services such as: crisis intervention, counseling, health care assistance, job training, education, daytime learning centers, transitional housing, 129 supported living apartments and 90 rental studio apartments. Irene's was a housing program that provided job counseling, showers, laundry, art therapy, phones and lunches to its participants. The Learning Center Provides humanities studies including US History, Art History, Literature, music and film studies.Jesseca Rhymes an active volunteer for Deborah's Place has been organizing a feminine hygiene collection drive to donate to Deborah's Place since 2015. == Awards and acknowledgements ==

'''Deborah's Place Open Door fundraiser/award ceremony''' Deborah's Place holds an annual fundraiser/award ceremony called Open Doors where people donate money to the organization by betting on raffles or general charity. Deborah Place volunteers and employees are given awards as well. On June 10, 2012, Deborah's Place held a fundraiser/award presentation where they raised over $100,000. Award recipients included Linda Palm, who received the Founders Award, and the Sammons Financial Group, who received the Philanthropic Partner Group. Illinois Dimension of Quality Award Awarded in 2011 for their work in holistic service. == Coordinated Entry System ==

Deborah's Place receives referrals with the help of the Coordinated Entry System that helps connect the homeless with the proper necessities. ==References==