Giving Tuesday Impact Series: Finding a new home at Pat Crowley House

It took a little convincing for Charlotte to visit Pat Crowley House for the first time.

Charlotte is fiercely independent. A retired chemist, she spent much of the past ten years taking care of her mother and aunt as they got older and developed health problems. She had a hard time convincing her mother to go all the doctor’s appointments that her health conditions required.

“I guess I’m sort of like my mother,” Charlotte says, “We’re doctor-averse.”

After her mother and aunt passed away, Charlotte lived by herself. When family friends who attend church with Charlotte began to notice that her health was deteriorating, they thought she might need some support. At the same time, her rent was on the rise and Charlotte was looking for a more affordable housing option. Charlotte’s friends knew about H.O.M.E. because they had volunteered at Pat Crowley House.

Pat Crowley House is an intergenerational shared living residence where seniors have their own room, and share living rooms, bathrooms, and dining areas. Resident assistants, who are usually college-aged adults, and the housing coordinator and her family also live in the house. Seniors receive assistance with daily activities such as cooking and laundry, but otherwise live independently.

Charlotte’s friends had experienced the warmth and support that the residents and staff at Pat Crowley House share and thought it might be the right fit for Charlotte. After a few visits, Charlotte began the process of moving in.

As part of H.O.M.E.’s intake process, Charlotte had a physical exam. As a result, doctors discovered a heart condition that would require medical attention and possibly surgery. Fortunately, Charlotte does not have to go through this experience alone. Not only does she have the support of the other seniors at Pat Crowley House, she also receives support from staff members and resident assistants. H.O.M.E. staff attends appointments with her, advocates for her when needed, and counsels her when she has questions or needs a little more information.

Charlotte found a new home at Pat Crowley House.

Charlotte is one of thousands of low-income seniors in the City of Chicago who don’t have the means or support they need to have safe, affordable housing. H.O.M.E. helps low-income seniors maintain their independence by providing home upkeep and repair, a shopping bus, moving assistance, and three affordable, intergenerational buildings. To provide seniors with quality, affordable housing  for seniors, H.O.M.E. relies on the generosity of our community to make a difference in the lives of local elders like Charlotte.

Eight months after moving into Pat Crowley House, Charlotte laughingly confesses that she was “never much a cook” and that she was constantly eating out. Now, H.O.M.E.’s staff and volunteers provide daily home cooked meals for her. As a result Charlotte now eats healthier food and lives a healthier lifestyle. Although she receives some assistance, Charlotte is still very much independent. Charlotte is an active member of her church and regularly hops on a bus or train to go to plays, museums, and lectures throughout the city on her own. She knows the schedules for most of the museums’ free days for residents and seniors and takes advantage of them as much as possible.

Every day 10,000 people turn 65. H.O.M.E. continues to see the need for our programs grow. Last year:

• The Shopping Bus program provided 3,572 shopping trips to grocery stores and pharmacies for seniors living in isolation or food deserts
• Upkeep & Repair Program performed 773 repairs, of which 470 were emergency repairs, in the homes of 256 low-income seniors
• Intergenerational Housing Program provided affordable, intergenerational housing to 59 seniors and 27 younger adults and children
• In April 2014, the Moving Program launched and assisted 32 seniors with their moves since then
• Volunteers also weatherized nearly 500 windows in 35 homes, painted over 100 rooms in 19 homes, served as Guest Chefs in our Shared Living facilities and sponsored several holiday parties for our residents

We are able to provide resources for low-income seniors in Chicago because of donations that we receive.

H.O.M.E. is proudly partnering with Giving Tuesday and #ILGiveBig to encourage the spirit of charitable philanthropy this holiday season, because together, we change lives.

To find out more about H.O.M.E. and to provide support to low-income seniors, please visit our website. This post is part of our series to celebrate the impact of #GivingTuesday, which will take place this year on December 2, 2014. The idea behind #GivingTuesday is to kickoff the holiday-giving season, in the same way that Black Friday and Cyber Monday kickoff the holiday-shopping season. We'll be featuring one post about our clients every Monday in November.

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