The Night Ministry

The Night Ministry Providing human connection, housing support and health care to unhoused members of our community.

The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization whose mission is to provide human connection, housing support, and health care to those who are unhoused or experiencing poverty. With an open heart, we compassionately accept each individual as they are and work alongside them to advocate for their immediate physical, emotional, and social needs while affirming our shared humanity. Last year, The

Night Ministry served nearly 6,000 adults and young people. Our Health Outreach Program provided 1,638 free health assessments to individuals who struggle to access traditional health care and prevented 383 visits to the emergency room. Our Youth Housing Programs provided 535 unhoused young people and 101 of their children with safe housing and supportive services.

Recently, Mary Poliwka, Interim Director of Outreach and Health, and Allison McCann Stevenson, Vice President of Program...
06/23/2026

Recently, Mary Poliwka, Interim Director of Outreach and Health, and Allison McCann Stevenson, Vice President of Programs and Services, participated in StoryCorps and the Library of Congress’s COVID-19 American History Project. Together, we visited the University of Illinois Chicago campus to record their powerful and deeply personal stories.

Their reflections captured what it was like at The Night Ministry during the pandemic—navigating uncertainty, supporting our unhoused neighbors, and caring for our dedicated staff. Through every challenge, one truth emerged: our perseverance in showing up, adapting, and ensuring that our mission continued unwaveringly, even amid significant hardship.

Thank you to StoryCorps for including us in this incredible national anthology and for helping elevate stories that deserve to be heard and remembered.

Today, we are reminded how history, community, and hope intersect in powerful ways.As we observe Juneteenth, a day that ...
06/19/2026

Today, we are reminded how history, community, and hope intersect in powerful ways.
As we observe Juneteenth, a day that marks freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equity, we recognize how deeply this moment aligns with our mission to serve and uplift those who need it most. It is a day that calls us not only to reflect, but to recommit.

We are especially inspired as Chicago celebrates the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, an extraordinary investment in community, leadership, and possibility. Moments like this reinforce the importance of place, storytelling, and access for all.
Yesterday, in our office, our team watched the opening ceremony for The Obama Center, honoring this milestone as it unfolded in real time. We are also incredibly proud that our President & CEO, Carol J. Sharp, had the opportunity to be present in person for this historic occasion.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama on this remarkable achievement for Chicago, for the nation, and for the world. The Center stands as a testament to vision, service, and the power of community-driven change.

And a special shout-out to Erica Hubbard, Director of Public Engagement at The Obama Foundation and a valued member of The Night Ministry’s Board of Directors, for helping make this meaningful connection possible. We are grateful for your leadership and partnership.

Today, we celebrate freedom. We celebrate progress. And we look ahead—together.
Barack Obama Michelle Obama Obama Presidential Center

🌈 : For decades, The Night Ministry has proudly marched in the Chicago Pride Parade — and this year is no different.Sin...
06/18/2026

🌈 : For decades, The Night Ministry has proudly marched in the Chicago Pride Parade — and this year is no different.

Since our founding in 1976, we have walked alongside LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness, offering health care, connection, and community without judgment. That commitment hasn't wavered. Neither has our presence at Pride.

This June, we'll once again take to the streets with our iconic Outreach & Health Bus — a rolling symbol of the care we provide to those who need it most.
Want to march with us? Join our parade contingent and show Chicago what 50 years of showing up looks like. Participants receive a limited-edition 50th Anniversary T-shirt to wear during the parade.

Sign up today — https://forms.gle/JUxnH8Ae2HYaBr2r8

What a fantastic day at the Puerto Rican Day Festival! 🇵🇷As we celebrate The Night Ministry’s 50th Anniversary, we were ...
06/13/2026

What a fantastic day at the Puerto Rican Day Festival! 🇵🇷

As we celebrate The Night Ministry’s 50th Anniversary, we were proud to be part of such a vibrant and meaningful community event. Our mission has always been about showing up for people—no matter who they are or where they come from—and today was a beautiful reminder of how deeply connected our work is to all communities across Chicago.

Thank you to our amazing staff, Associate Board members, and volunteers for making today so special. We couldn’t do this work without you!

Here’s to 50 years of compassion, connection, and community—and many more to come. 💙

Raeann Olsen-Jackson and Malina Masur attended The Service Club of Chicago's Philanthropic Grantee Reception on June 9th...
06/12/2026

Raeann Olsen-Jackson and Malina Masur attended The Service Club of Chicago's Philanthropic Grantee Reception on June 9th. The Night Ministry is thankful to have received a grant to purchase a new furnace for our Open Door Shelter in West Town. This meaningful gift from The Service Club of Chicago will directly impact the young people in our care.

The Service Club of Chicago

Our Outreach & Health team will not be at the Forest Park Blue Line Stop tonight due to the severe weather. Please reach...
06/11/2026

Our Outreach & Health team will not be at the Forest Park Blue Line Stop tonight due to the severe weather. Please reach out to the Street Medicine Team at 773-256-7549 if you have an urgent need.

Legacy Thursday: Since 1976, The Night Ministry has served Chicago's LGBTQ+ community — not as an afterthought, but as a...
06/11/2026

Legacy Thursday: Since 1976, The Night Ministry has served Chicago's LGBTQ+ community — not as an afterthought, but as a core part of who we are.
In FY25, 21% of our youth clients identified as LGBTQ+ (24% of Crib clients). They are our neighbors, and we show up for them every day. This Pride Month and every month. 🏳️‍🌈

You can still join us at the Chicago Pride parade and walk alongside our bus; register by following this link: https://forms.gle/dY1PgjDmSUhpNe9S6

Our Case Management team from Outreach & Health will be at the Harold Washington Library (7th Floor), on June 15 and Jun...
06/10/2026

Our Case Management team from Outreach & Health will be at the Harold Washington Library (7th Floor), on June 15 and June 29. They will not be there on any other dates in June. The usual schedule will resume in July. Please reach out to the Street Medicine Team at 773-256-7549 if you have an urgent need.

Huge thank you to Karen from Second Unitarian for dropping off the latest donation of sack suppers and water for our Out...
06/09/2026

Huge thank you to Karen from Second Unitarian for dropping off the latest donation of sack suppers and water for our Outreach & Health teams to distribute. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated and often provides the only meal of the day for our unhoused neighbors and those living in extreme poverty.

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Chicago, IL

Telephone

+17737849000

Website

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