Providing temporary relief can improve family stability and prevent child abuse and neglect.

Most of the children who walk through the doors of our two emergency group homes in Chicago’s northwest suburbs are victims of child abuse or neglect. They need immediate shelter for their personal safety. Other youth come to us because of their family circumstances including homelessness, parental illness, domestic violence, or parent-child conflict. Often these children arrive in the middle of the night with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing. Some will stay just a few days, others for many months.

At Shelter they find not only a warm bed, but a caring team of professionals trained to support them. Our compassionate staff provides trauma-informed care and specialized support for the most marginalized populations such as children in the LGBTQIA community and children who have been victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

Our homes are locaated in established neighborhoods and are furnished with care to help kids feel safe and comfortable. While staying with us, they receive a free healthcare screening, counseling services, and life-skills education to help them heal and develop coping skills to overcome trauma. Essentials such as new clothing, personal hygiene items, and school supplies are provided. Whenever possible, children attend their own schools so they can remain with friends in familiar surroundings. It is always our goal to reunite children with their families if it is in their best interest.

Our Buckholz Group Home for youth who identify as male and Jennings Home for youth who identify as female are staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Referrals can be made by social service agencies, schools, police, medical personnel, parents, clergy, or even by concerned citizens. Adolescents may also self-refer.

Shelter’s Buckholz Group Home is the only home of its kind in Chicago’s northwest suburbs.