- Yolanda's Story: Learning to Save for a Brighter Future
For someone who hasn’t ever had much money, it can be difficult to begin the simple mechanics of saving.
- Vincent’s Story: Healthy with a New Job and a New Home
Vincent summarizes his old life with a simple, chilling explanation: "I was damaged goods."
- Tiffany’s Story: A Working Mom Who’s Supporting Her Family
Tiffany is a single mother with limited work experience; she and her children were living in her sister’s apartment when Put Illinois to Work came along. Tiffany signed up—hoping for a chance.
- Steven’s Story: A Dedicated Volunteer Making a Difference
He originally committed to tutor the boys once a week for six months. Three years later, Steven, Suliaman, and Alassan spend every Saturday together.
- Shannon’s Story: A New Job and a New Home for a Family of Four
Shannon was an unemployed single dad, with three teenage daughters. They were all squeezed in to his mother’s tiny apartment. Luckily, Heartland Alliance has a special program for Chicago Public School students who are in temporary, “doubled up” living situations.
- Seth: Teaching More than Just English
Seth has been working with Refugee & Immigrant Community Services teaching English for over five years. In that time he has taught, and learned, much more than just language skills.
- Scott’s Story: Living on His Own, on His Own Terms
What does it take for someone who is homeless and dealing with mental illness and/or substance use to really turn their life around?
- Prince’s Story: From a New Land Emerges a New Youth Leader
After 12 years in a refugee camp escaping Liberia’s brutal civil war, Prince and his family arrived in Chicago. Heartland Alliance helped ease their transition to the U.S.
- Narlie’s Story: After a tragedy, Back in the Comfort of Her Mom’s Arms
After being separated from her mother and suffering injuries during the earthquake Port-au-Prince, Heartland Alliance and our local partners, worked to reunite Narlie and her mother and get her medical aid.
- Nancy’s Story: A Teacher Who Helps Refugees Find and Get Jobs
If you told Nancy Callahan 10 years ago that she'd become an English teacher for newly arrived refugees, she wouldn't have believed you.
- Myra’s Story: Back to Work, Creating a New Life for Her Family
Being back in the workforce is what matters most to Myra.
- Meg’s Story: Finding Comfort and a Place to Belong
A privileged upbringing couldn’t keep Meg — who started using cocaine at age 16 — safe from the problems of drug use that would rule much of her adult life.
- Mark’s Story: A New Home That’s All His Own
How can homelessness be prevented, keeping the most vulnerable members of our community successfully housed?
- Marianne and June
After 36 years of volunteer service, Marianne and June still enjoy their time with Heartland Alliance.
- Mallory’s Story: Helping Others Off the Streets and Into Recovery
Mallory, a social work student intern in Heartland Alliance's Resource Center, helping men and women to get off the streets and start their recovery.
- Luz: After a Windfall, Now What?
Heartland Alliance helped Luz create a financial plan, find a home and prepare for a job.
- Louise’s Story: Regaining Her Health and Independence
Louise Wilson regained her health and independence through Heartland Human Care Services SenioReach program.
- Lisa's Story: Invested in Savings
Today, she’s watching her budget and carefully planning for her future – and teaching her daughter to do the same.
- Lily’s Story: A New City, New Friends, and a New Start
Like a lot of kids at day camp this summer, Lily is enjoying going to the beach once a week, traveling around Chicago on special field trips, and playing with her friends.
- Jerry: Enriching Lives, Including His Own
Jerry has volunteered for two Heartland Alliance programs for almost ten years. Over the last ten years he has served numerous participants and enriched his own life.
- Jacquelyn’s Story: Learning to Save for Her Future, Her Family
A 45-year-old mother of eight, Jacquelyn was tired of being considered low-income and took the initiative to go back to school and get her degree.
- Holly’s Story: Giving Back to Those In Need
It has become a deeply cherished part of my life," beams Holly.
- Harvey’s Story: Educating the Community, Educating Lawmakers
“Heartland [Alliance] found me. I was lost, you see.”
- Emily: Giving Support to Teens in Transition
Emily volunteers with Refugee and Immigrant Community Services with refugee youth to help mentor and tutor them. She helps her participants adjust to the American culture, helps them with school, and provides them with emotional support.
- Elizabeth’s Story: A Volunteer with Heart
Elizabeth Eccleston was a social work student intern at our Neon Street Dorms young adult shelter and drop in center.
- Dr. Henry Lotsof’s Story: Walking the Walk for Dental Care
Walking the Walk for Dental Care
- Dorothy’s Story: Helping Women Just Like Herself
“I share my experiences, my strengths and hopes, and I raise the bottom for them, so they don’t have to go there.”
- Derrick's Story: A Fresh Start
“It’s all about moving forward,” says Derrick, a participant living in Heartland Alliance’s Neon Street Dorms. “Everyday there’s something you can do.”
- David’s Story: A Doctor Who Gives His Time and His Heart
Dr. David Goldberg has been a volunteer physician with the Heartland Alliance Marjorie Kovler Center for so long that he barely remembers how he got started.
- Danny’s Story: Once Hopeless, Now Dreams of a Better Future
At a young age, Danny found himself homeless and hopeless. The Neon Street Dorms helped him restart his life.
- Chenge: A New Life In a New Homeland
If you passed him on the street, you’d never know how far he’d come – or how much he’d overcome – to be here.
- Candace’s Story: With her Confidence Back, Looking Forward to What’s Next
Before Candace came to Heartland Health Outreach she was living on the streets and felt she was alone in the world.
- Bill: Giving More Than Just His Time
After Bill retired he decided to volunteer with Travelers Aid Chicago. Last year he gave the most hours to the program than any other volunteer.
- Barbara: A Healthy Future
“The doctors didn’t know what to do or how to help,” Barbara recalls. “So they introduced me [to Heartland Alliance].”
- Aylin’s Story: Looking Forward, Not Back
"When I come here it is like my home; the people are like my family.”
- Andrea’s Story: Pursuing Justice for a Husband’s Legacy
When Andrea's husband was kidnapped by Guatemalan soldiers in 1984, she fled the country in fear of her own life, leaving behind two young sons.
- Adela: From Crunched to College
After taking a financial education workshop with Heartland Alliance, Adela has learned to budget and balance her family's finances.
- A Home for a Hidden Community
In most parts of the world, running an HIV prevention program isn’t a dangerous activity. Not so in Lagos, Nigeria
