New Homeless Shelter Opens

Pioneer Center for Human Services Opens 70-bed Homeless Shelter in McHenry County

Pioneer Center's McHenry County PADS Homeless Shelter, on 1805 South IL Rt 31 in McHenry, IL is open! PADS expanded their homeless services from a 34-bed shelter to a NEW 70-bed shelter, to best meet the needs of the community. Last year PADS assisted over 220 homeless people including men, women and families. 

“The top reasons for homelessness are lack of affordable housing, unemployment, mental illness, substance abuse and medical issues,” explains Director of Homeless Services, Carrie Freund. “Homelessness can happen to anyone. It only takes one life event for most of us to become homeless ourselves,” Freund said. 

McHenry County PADS offers emergency shelter needs including, access to showers, laundry facilities, transportation, computers and an address at which to receive mail. In addition, PADS provides support services, to help individuals experiencing homelessness work toward becoming self-sufficient. These support services enable individuals to receive crisis intervention, case management, linkage to community resources and life skills training. 

“We are open, and clients are being provided services in our new shelter, but construction is not complete,” states Co-CEO Sam Tenuto. “We need to continue our construction and provide improvements throughout the building, including, a full commercial kitchen, security cameras, outdoor sitting area and parking lot updates.” 

Donate here to help continue construction of this much needed homeless shelter. “Any amount you can donate would be appreciated and will help homeless men, women and children throughout our community,” Tenuto said.