Filling The Gap

MISSION

Filling the Gap NFP is a restorative organization dedicated to providing dignified and transformational housing to people in need.

VISION

Our vision is to create an environment in the south suburbs of Chicago where residents looking to rebuild their lives can find a stable place to live. We look to bring together resources from the community, local government, stakeholders, and other non-profit agencies to increase the number of housing options available to this widely underserved population.

OUR PLAN

At Filling The Gap NFP, we will be working with local agencies to help place people in transition in a safe and productive environment. Once they are placed in housing, we will help them find resources to meet their other basic needs through donations and other local organizations.

OUR NEEDS

We are currently raising funds to sustain our program at the Sycamore House, as well as raise capital to buy another multi-family unit building in the South Suburbs of Chicago.

We are also looking for volunteers with expertise in housing , graphic design, marketing, accounting, and anyone passionate about providing transformational housing for people in need in our community.

CURRENT ACHEIVEMENTS

• Raised awareness about the housing gap for hundreds of people in the South Suburbs of Chicago
• Purchased and restored a two flat building in Harvey, IL
• Completed the intake process for two residents
• Moved in two residents
• Raised a $100,000 in capital and in-kind donations
• Empowered dozens of volunteers to make a difference in the South Suburbs of Chicago

HELPING THE COMMUNITY

Filling the Gap aims to help the vulnerable and the lost so that we may assist them, with God's help, in finding their way back into society by providing housing that gives dignity, safety, and restoration to the inhabitants.

The population Filling the Gap serves includes, but is not limited to:

• Homeless families
• Homeless couples looking to stay together
• Non-violent ex-offenders
• People in a transitional phase of their life who are otherwise not deemed suitable for traditional rental agreements.

HOW DO WE PROVIDE TRANSFORMATIONAL HOUSING?

Individual donors provide the financial means necessary to purchase and maintain houses for residents.

Volunteers provide services to transform housing units as well as donate their expertise in areas to help Filling the Gap and its residents.

Filling the Gap partners with local agencies that refer clients who are in need of second chance housing.

Interested candidates fill out a general application, go through a background and credit check, and also submit a reference letter from their recommending agency.

After the initial application process applicants spend time talking to Mike (Executive Director) and Jen (Board President) Fitzgerald.

Applicants then do a meet and greet with the entire Board of Directors before being approved for the program.

Once accepted, residents will outline their personal and professional goals with their Filling the Gap Case Advocate and determine how long they potentially need to participate in the program between 3-24 months.

The Filling the Gap Case Advocate will work with the resident to hold them accountable to achieving their goals as well as provide outside resources to help them achieve their goals.