About Humboldt Park Social Services
Humboldt Park Social Services (HPSS) has served the neediest persons in the Logan Square & Humboldt Park communities since 1989. Incorporated as a non-profit community service agency by its sponsoring organization, Humboldt Park United Methodist Church of Chicago, HPSS serves approximately 1,800 people each year with a range of programs.
The history of this community service organization has been written on the pages of the hundreds of lives that have been turned around for the better, leaving behind years of homelessness and hopelessness, and moving forward into healthy, productive and independent living. A large share of the credit for this success is due to the staff of HPSS. These dedicated and talented persons have learned to accomplish so much with so little physical resources. This front line of staff and volunteers is backed up by a working board of directors, hundreds of donating churches and individuals, committed principal funders, and cooperative networking agencies.
HPSS faces the future challenge of eliminating homelessness in our community with the confidence built on this solid track record of service.
2010 Annual Service Information
In 2010 HPSS, through the Center for Changing Lives, served 1,472 individuals, of which 39% were children.
- 62% of clients that exited our Family Interim Housing Program in 2010 moved into permanent housing.
- 75% of employment program participants increased their skills through job readiness training and 34% increased their income through employment.
- 69% of intensive case management clients increased their self-sufficiency by completing their individual service plan, obtaining employment, increasing their skills and or income, or becoming housed.
- Over 24,094 meals were served through the soup kitchen. On average, 66 people were served at least one hot, homemade meal each day.
- 82% of clients at imminent risk of homelessness who worked with staff were stabilized and did not become homeless.
Of the 1,472 individuals in 846 households served:
- 61% were Adults
- 39% were Children
- 71% were Hispanic
- 29% were Non-Hispanic
- 50% entered our programs with no income
The 846 households received the following referrals at intake (duplicated):
- 655 referrals for food or clothing
- 314 referrals for shelter or interim housing
- 305 referrals for employment related services
- 168 referrals for housing and/or financial counseling
- 152 referrals for case management
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of Humboldt Park Social Services symbolizes the connectional ministry of the United Methodist Church under whose auspices it was founded. Support from different boards of the Church and individual churches have been essential to the agency’s existence. United Methodist churches connect with each other, combining their financial and human resources to serve people who are homeless, hungry, living in poverty, suffering from addictions and/or mental illness, and who are victims of domestic and street violence.
Individual United Methodists connect with the agency in many different ways. Many make up the membership of the Board of Trustees. We would like you to meet them:
| Name | Affiliation | Board Office |
|---|---|---|
| Brown, Edith Juanita | Attorney At Law, Private Practice |
|
| Gamez, Manuel | Principal, Gamez & Associates Ltd. |
|
| Herrera, Yanet | Design and Construction Manager, Mercy Portfolio Services | |
| Jackson, Helen | Liaison, Humboldt Park United Methodist Church |
|
| Kauffman, Ruth | Professor, Trinity International University |
Board Secretary |
| Kuhn, Linda | Retired Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County Vice Chair | |
| McCoy, Deborah | Development Associate, Logan Square Neighborhood Association | Assistant Treasurer |
| Nicol, Harry | President, UMC Foundation |
Board Chair |
| Nieves, Ramon | Pastor, Humboldt Park United Methodist Church | Development Chair |
| Prueitt, John | Project Manager, ComEd |
Treasurer |
| Schumacher, Amy | AfterCare Program Coordinator, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls |
|
| Vanni, Bill | Principal, Structural Design Corporation |
