Deborah's Place
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Deborah's Place resects women and works on getting them to respect themselves
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
When I see women move ahead with their lives
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
try to improve the food
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Some
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
get better food donated
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
satisfired
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
With its mission to break the cycle of homelessness for women in Chicago, the two key words I use to describe Deborah's Place are respect and empathy. Respect and empathy extends across all programs and to all participants including staff and administrators, volunteers and board members and most especially to the women who come seeking services and shelter. Respect comes in listening and responding to the voices of all the many women who come through the doors, evolving over time from a straight forward emergency overnight shelter to a multifaceted program of permanent and transitional housing with a full range of supportive services. Empathy is shown by the innovative and cutting edge 'no-eviction' program developed by Deborah's Place as part of the solution to ending homelessness and now nationally recognized and shared by Deborah's Place with shelter and service providers around the country. I have remained a volunteer and supporter of Deborah's Place for so long because the organization is so willing to evolve. Moving from homelessness to shelter and permanent home takes resiliency, flexibility and determination. Deborah's Place demonstrates those qualities.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
... serving on the Board of Directors with Teresa. She joined us as a former program participant, then living in her own apartment. Sharing rides to meetings, we became friends. Determined to give back, her insights into the lives of women experiencing some of the same things she had only months previously was inspiring. When Teresa died from cancer she inspired us to name our next program after her. It has proven to be an ideal stopping place for strong women who need a helping hand along the way.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
trust the board and staff to listen and respond. Changing to better serve women experiencing homelessness is a core strength of Deborah's Place. My one wish for Deborah's Place is that news of what they are doing and how they do it will reach more caring people who can support the work. The rewards are enormous.
Deborah's Place is the leader and best at providing housing and supportive services to women in need in Chicago! I've been a volunteer for 11 years. The staff and volunteers of Deborah's Place are so incredibly commited to the cause of ending homelessness and dedicated to serving the needs of the women who call Deborah's Place home. Since it's inception, Deborah's Place has been a leader and the best at evolving to meet the needs of its participants while remaining true to its core value and mission.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Watching women move from homelessness to home, employment, education and all of the pride and self-esteem that comes with it.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
All incredible men and women dedicated to the mission of ending homelessness for women and who have a fun time working together to make it happen.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
End homelessness for MANY, MANY, MANY more women in Chicago!!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I came to volunteer at this shelter because I too was once homeless. To not know where I would be sleeping from day to day made it harder to concentrate on daily living. To find a job that would break the cycle was always there but it was foreshadowed by my nightly fight to sleep somewhere safe. When my life became right it was time to give back. Chicago is a hard city, even if you have a job but the frigid winters can make it unbearable. To see the women every week does ones heart good. The kitchen is spotless and a good place to be. The women, who range in age and vary by stories are all well taken care of by a staff of people who have their best interests at heart. I tell everyone I know about the work being done here. Since I now work as a Student Employee for a College in Skokie, Illinois I have gotten one of the staff interested in maybe taking a class there. I have brought books and materials from my term as a student and the women were grateful and grabbed them up like children at Christmas. I have said that I would never accept money for the two hours I spend in that kitchen every week. To give back to other women in need is all the thanks that I need and want. Keep up what you are doing. And to the women that are being helped, people care about you. I try to carry that message from them to you. Have a blessed, safe and progressive holiday season. To the year 2010 there is much hapiness to be had. Just stop and look for it. Respectfully, Julie Berman
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Expand the services to help many more women. Having a firm sense of security is something money can by. A woman that is homeless does not care at the immediate time about inner workings of a shelter/ They only care about if they will be safe.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I've been a long time supporter and volunteer for Deborah's Place. I started out working with the women in the Learning Center teaching them computer skills. Then I began working with the Finance Commission and eventually joined the Board. Deborah's Place approach to ending homelessness for women is extremely effective at getting and keeping women housed. In addition the level of fiduciary oversight is really impressive. They make a little go a very long way.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The amazing energy and committment of the Staff and the women they serve.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Had very high integrity and a real passion for the work. They draw a diverse group of volunteers who have a passion for the mission. I'm impressed by how well informed volunteers are and the unwavering commitment of staff.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Deborah's Place has an extremely robust and economically efficient approach to helping women out of homelessness. There's a very long waiting list to access Deborah's Place programs, I'm confident that with $10 mm they would efficiently house many more.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I volunteered at Deborah's place for 3 years before moving to London. I greatly miss the women there--especially Mary! This organization provides a phenomenal service to community.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
was meeting the different women and learning some small aspects of what these women go through every day.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2006
I have been volunteering at the Sedgwick location for seven months now. I help prepare and serve meals for the ladies. It is a very fulfilling experience. The staff is friendly, and the women are genuinely appreciative of the volunteers. I like that I can sign up to volunteer when my schedule permits as well. I always look forward to my next volunteer shift at Deborah's Place.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very helpful, friendly, and dedicated to their work.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have been volunteering at Marah's (part of Deborah's Place) for several years. We enjoy bringing dinner and bingo to the ladies as well as visiting with them every month. Recently, our volunteer group has had some troubles of our own and the wonderful ladies at Marah's have been generous with their time and energy by keeping us in their thoughts and prayers. In giving to them, they have paid us back and enriched our lives beyond measure! Thank you ladies!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
assisting ladies to get back into the job market and move into a home of thier own.
More feedback...
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
get all the homeless women in the city off the street and not only give them shelter, but help them to be self sufficient women.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have been working with the employees of Deborah' Place for a number of years and have met many of the residents. What an awesome group of people. I am so impressed with everything that they do to help women in need. Kudos to Deborah's Place. I particularly like their offering incentives to the women. They are always reaching out to the community for more support and I truthfully cannot think of a better place to support.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
extremely helpful, kind, giving and caring.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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