Some women experiencing homelessness face the additional challenges of a history of trauma, including domestic violence or of mental illness or substance abuse.  Home of the Sparrow offers programs and services that are trauma informed and modeled on evidence-based interventions and supports.

Home of the Sparrow programs are designed to strengthen and empower women to:

• Obtain permanent housing
• Develop life skills suited to each woman’s needs
• Secure and maintain employment that pays a livable wage
• Develop a continuing education plan, setting realistic and achievable goals
• Evaluate their financial status, learning how, and why it is important to, maintain a budget
• Identify issues that impede self-sufficiency and secure appropriate assistance through a variety of resources
• Learn and apply healthy parenting skills to enhance the lives of their children

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Women who are experiencing homelessness may be eligible for housing through our short-term, transitional shelter or one of our community-based housing programs.  Home of the Sparrow’s staff also provides residents with Supportive Services and resources to help them achieve self- Sufficiency. Women may receive direct support or referrals to resources for utilities, food, clothing, transportation, etc. These Home of the Sparrow supportive services are provided at no cost and include:

Case management:
Home of the Sparrow’s experienced Case Managers work with shelter residents and housing program clients to develop an Individual Plan.  Areas of focus include employment, education, parenting, financial skills, housing, physical and mental health and well being.  Regular case management involves support and guidance in achieving individual goals in each area.   The process serves to empower clients as they transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

Employment and Education Services:
Gaining better employment and furthering one’s education are key components to establishing self sufficiency. Home of the Sparrow’s experienced Employment Specialists work with Home of the Sparrow clients with exploring and reaching educational and employment goals. Clients can work with the Employment Specialist to get additional support with updating resumes, completing cover letters, employment search assistance, career planning goals, as well as linkage to educational programs such as GED and employment certifications.

Advocacy and Referrals:
Home of the Sparrow’s case managers assist clients with connections to services and, when needed, act as a strong voice on their behalf. McHenry County offers Community Resources and an array of supportive services that strive to meet the needs of its residents. Home of the Sparrow staff work well with its community partners to ensure that clients are referred to appropriate resources to supplement the support offered by Home of the Sparrow. These resources include referrals for needs such as counseling, legal support, financial counseling and health services.

Home of the Sparrow’s staff is composed of compassionate, professional, social service and administrative personnel. Together, each staff member plays an integral role in helping residents realize they are capable of successful and independent living and taking the steps necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. Staff members include:

Vice President of Program Services:
A licensed clinical social worker who is responsible for directing and overseeing the management of all Program Services functions, including; the Transitional Shelter, Subsidized Apartment Program, Intake and Outreach, Rapid Re-Housing Programs, Affordable Housing Program, and Employment Program.

Housing Manager:
The Housing Manager is responsible for the management and expansion of the housing services at Home of the Sparrow. This includes but is not limited to the Affordable Housing Program, Community Rapid Re-Housing Programs, and the Subsidized Apartment Program. The Housing Manager provides direct supervision to the Housing Coordinators.

Shelter Manager:
The Shelter Manager is responsible for maintaining a healthy, safe, and supportive shelter environment, while offering Case Management, Client-Centered Consultation, and Community Support to clients and children as needed. The shelter manager provides direct supervision to the Shelter Case Managers and Shelter Staff.

Quality Improvement Clinical Coordinator:
The Quality Improvement Clinical Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the agency’s data and case management practices align with the overall mission of Home of the Sparrow. The Quality Improvement Clinical Coordinator is responsible for overseeing quality improvement projects, monitoring and analyzing internal performance, and providing training and support to new and tenured case management staff.

Intake Coordinator:
The Intake Coordinator is responsible for answering and returning calls from community members in need of shelter or referral services and assessing their eligibility requirements for Home of the Sparrow Housing Programs. The Intake Coordinator works with potential shelter clients through the intake process and completes biopsychosocial assessments with residents upon entry into the Home of the Sparrow Shelter.

Shelter Case Manager: 
Case Managers and Shelter Staff provide direct services to Home of the Sparrow Shelter residents by providing case management services which include developing and updating individual plans, providing supportive services and referrals related to education, employment, physical and mental health, financial skills, housing, parenting, and more.

Housing Coordinator: 
Housing Coordinators provide direct services to Home of the Sparrow Housing residents by providing case management services which include developing and updating individual plans, providing supportive services and referrals related to education, employment, physical and mental health, financial skills, permanent housing, parenting, and more.

Employment Specialist: 
The Employment Specialist is responsible for assisting clients with exploring and reaching employment and educational goals. The Employment Specialist builds job readiness skills and competencies, by helping clients create a resume, practice interview skills, and navigate employment search tools. They help facilitate education and training access by assisting clients in enrolling in appropriate education programs to meet job requirements or advance education for specialized career paths.