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In the Beginning
Hilda Carper was the first Director of the shelter, friend and mentor to all. Residents said they lived at "Hilda's Place," so the shelter was named in her honor when she retired in 1992.
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Connections for the Homeless was started on October 31, 1984, when an interfaith worship service was followed by a procession down Lake Street in Evanston to the police station. Participants asked that an empty room be made available to the homeless and returned to the church for an all-night prayer vigil in the basement. Homeless people were welcomed, and the shelter began. The agency was incorporated as The Center for Public Ministry in December of 1985. It changed its name to "Connections for the Homeless" in November of 1998.|
1984: |
The march on City hall that was the genesis of Connections |
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1985: |
Incorporation of The Center for Public Ministry |
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1988: |
Beginning of Family Housing Services, which provides apartments for temporary use by homeless families |
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1993: |
Expansion of Connections' Health Services Program |
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1999: |
Launch of the EntryPoint outreach program |
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2004: |
Start of the Permanent Supportive Housing Program |
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2008: |
Strategic planning process leading to use of a "Housing First" model and a long-term focus on rapid rehousing and supportive services |
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2009: |
Launch of Connections' Employment Program |
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2010: |
Partnership formed with Housing Opportunity Development Corporation to preserve a large stock of affordable housing along the North Shore and integrate it with Connections' services |