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Home The News Real Estate Columns You Don’t See Them, But the PADS People Are Out There
Wednesday, 06 January 2010 13:49

You Don’t See Them, But the PADS People Are Out There

Written by Jennifer Niederbrach
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You may have noticed on your trips around town that there are plenty of homes for sale in Warrenville. Some of them are owned by families looking to find a larger home, and some belong to empty nesters wanting to downsize.

Unfortunately however, a sizable number of the homes for sale represent short sales and foreclosures. You see the empty house and may ask yourself, I wonder where they went?

The loss of a home can be due to many variables. Luckily, most that have had to leave their homes have moved in with friends or relatives or found something to rent until they can get back on their feet. But tragically, some of these homeowners have become homeless. You don’t see them very often in DuPage County, but they are there.

P.A.D.S. is a non-profit organization founded in 1985 that helps those in need. P.A.D.S. stands for Public Action to Deliver Shelter. The organization provides housing solutions, coupled with support and employment services, to help the homeless rebuild their lives to the point of sustainable self-sufficiency.

The housing solutions offered by P.A.D.S. are open to men, women and children, and the programs vary, starting with Interim (overnight) Housing. This program provides meals, shelter, safety and support. The PADS staff works together with local congregations and volunteers in DuPage County. There are 29 sites throughout the county that offer up to a 140-bed capacity from October through April.

Transitional Housing is a voluntary 24-month program that provides single men and women with support services to prepare them for independent living.

The Permanent Supportive Housing program provides permanent, affordable housing and support services, targeting individuals and families who are persistently homeless or who have a disability. Supportive housing enables residents to remain housed and ensures long-term housing stability.

The Howlett Initiative is in partnership with the DuPage Housing Authority and provides Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers to homeless families.

The support services consist of a Daytime Support Center, Life Skills Coaching and an Employment Program. The Support Center offers basic needs assistance, support and opportunities to redirect the lives of individuals and families.

 Life Skills Coaching programs supply services that restore self-esteem, assist in goal setting, and help participants make positive choices through case management services.

The Employment Specialist assists clients with resume writing, interviewing techniques, job sourcing and other employment-related issues.

More than 4,000 volunteers from over 130 congregations provide food, support, and hospitality for the men, women, and children in our communities through these services.

P.A.D.S. support center is located at 705 W. Liberty (Wheaton), (630) 682-3846.

It goes without saying that volunteers and contributions are always welcome.

 

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