Home of the Sparrow’s mission is to provide Hope, Opportunity and Support that empowers women and children as they journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

Home of the Sparrow opened its doors as a registered 501(c)3 non-profit homeless shelter in 1987. Today, Home of the Sparrow not only provides Transitional Shelter, but also Affordable Housing and Rapid Re-Housing combined with Supportive Services that address the core issues of homelessness. Home of the Sparrow serves women, children, individuals, and families. Approximately 70 percent of the women we serve have experienced domestic violence at some point on their journey. Other reasons for homelessness include unforeseen housing or financial crisis, a death in the family, or a medical emergency. The economy and rising cost of living contribute to unstable housing situations.

On average Home of the Sparrow receives over 1,700+ calls a year from women in crisis. This past fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, we served over 596 individuals!

Currently, Home of the Sparrow operates:

• A Transitional shelter that can hold 32-40 individuals per night
• 25 Affordable Housing Units throughout Northern Illinois
• 5 Subsidized Apartments for low-income individuals who are not ready for permanent housing
• A Rapid Re-Housing Program that assists people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing

 In addition to housing and supportive services, Home of the Sparrow operates Seven Thrift Stores and Donation Centers located across Northern Illinois. Check out the seven locations above!

These stores not only provide a direct source of revenue for our programs and services, they also provide vouchers to help clients with clothing and specific needs and help other agencies when they have a critical need! With the support of over 700 volunteers per year, Home of the Sparrow is able to accomplish its mission. Home of the Sparrow relies on contributions from generous donors, event revenue (sponsorships, attendees), Community/Third-Party hosted events, and grants and financial support from the Thrift stores.  You can make a difference – Your support can change someone’s life!

“Sparrows possess remarkable strength and endurance records. They seem to be impervious to severe winds or inclement weather. They fly continually, all day long, foraging for food. They have been clocked at great speeds and have been known to fly hundreds of miles during one daylight period. Their endurance and energy levels are enormous, and even their wing revolutions per minute present an awesome number. Sparrows are incredibly strong and tough little birds, making them appear virtually indestructible…

However, as powerful as sparrows are, if you, as a human being, were to catch a sparrow in your hand and squeeze it, you could break every bone in its body and crush it to death within thirty seconds.

You are very much like a sparrow. You appear powerful, strong, impervious to the storms of life, but I see you are crushed and broken, without a song.”