Ending Homelessness with The Boulevard of Chicago
The Boulevard of Chicago
Chicago, IL
blvd.org
The Winter Walk team recently had the pleasure of interviewing members of the incredible team at The Boulevard, located at 3456 W Franklin Blvd in Chicago, to learn more about their work and commitment to the unhoused communities in the city.
We were so thrilled to have you join us for our first-ever Winter Walk Chicago in 2025! Before we’re together again in 2026, could you tell our readers a bit about The Boulevard of Chicago?
The Boulevard of Chicago (sometimes The Boulevard) provides high quality, cost-effective medical respite care, holistic support and housing services to help ill and injured homeless adults break the cycle of homelessness, restore their health and rebuild their lives. Our vision is to serve more homeless individuals and improve their lives by minimizing the impact of illness and injury and affirming the link between health care continuity and stable housing.
We would love to define ‘medical respite care’ for your readers. It is also known as recuperative care and is acute and post-acute care for people experiencing homelessness who are too ill or frail to recover from an illness or injury on the streets or in a shelter, but who do not require hospital-level care.
While ‘respite’ typically means giving primary caregivers a temporary break from their work, ‘medical respite’ is short-term residential care that allows individuals experiencing homelessness to rest, recover, and heal in a safe environment while accessing medical care and other supportive services. This type of care is offered in a variety of settings such as freestanding facilities, homeless shelters, motels, and transitional housing.
We’re proud to share that earlier this year, The Boulevard of Chicago’s medical respite care program became certified by The National Institute for Medical Respite Care (NIMRC), a special program of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. This means that The Boulevard has completed a rigorous process to demonstrate a high degree of fidelity to nationally recognized principles, standards and expectations in the field of medical respite care. The Boulevard is one of the first fifteen programs in the nation to receive NIMRC Certification. You can learn more on the National Health Care for the Homeless Council’s website.
Carmen, a resident, and Areanda Robinson, Health & Housing Outreach Team Manager, outside The Boulevard’s location.
Who does The Boulevard of Chicago serve?
We serve an average of 150 ill and injured homeless adults who need a safe place to recover through our medical respite care program each year. Additionally, we serve an average of 400 housing-insecure individuals and families throughout Chicago each year through our various housing & health outreach programs: providing dedicated case management, housing support, home visits and counseling. Through a full range of programs and resources, we help our clients gain the stability they need to restore their health and rebuild their lives. The Boulevard of Chicago is a pioneer of medical respite care facilities in Illinois. Since 1994, The Boulevard has helped over 12,000 men and women start a new life.
It’s so humbling to think about how much those of us lucky enough to be housed take that for granted in real times of need, like when recovering from illness or injury. What an incredible gift your program is!! We had a great first year together, and we’re thrilled to have been able to support your work - how are you using the funds raised at your first Winter Walk Event?
Staff at the Boulevard’s booth during the 2025 Winter Walk in Humboldt Park.
We are using the funds raised during Winter Walk 2025 to directly support our programs. Our medical respite program, one of the first in Illinois, has 64 beds and an on-site clinic fully accessible to those experiencing homelessness and in need of a safe location to recover from acute illness or injury. Residents work with physicians and nursing staff to develop and implement their individualized care plans. Meanwhile, our housing advocacy team works tirelessly to find suitable, stable housing for our clients. We have partnered with permanent supportive housing programs and private landlords, especially those in affordable housing areas.
What are the greatest needs The Boulevard of Chicago has in 2025?
This year, our greatest need is general operating funds to sustain and grow our essential programs. Our Housing & Health Outreach Team provides a continuum of care through home visits, counseling, and support for individuals placed in independent housing. Another program we’re proud to offer is in partnership with PCC Wellness, providing behavioral health services, both onsite and online. This program follows the five principles of trauma-informed care: safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness and empowerment.
Augustus, previous resident at The Boulevard, posing for a photo in his first apartment.
What is something you wish everyone understood about homelessness?
Every human deserves housing, no matter their circumstance.
What is something you wish everyone knew about unhoused people?
Nothing separates us from unhoused people besides circumstance. Many Americans are just a paycheck or two away from homelessness. Our neighbors are in need, and the more people who lend their support, the closer we get to ending homelessness. Below is a direct quote from one of The Boulevard’s clients. You can read more success stories here.
“The main thing I learned is that the majority of people think there is no way out. Many people don’t have the courage or faith to take the leap and believe in themselves. I lost my morals through addiction – once I learned I could live without addiction, it was a turning point for me. They gave me a life preserver.” – Francisco
How can people help The Boulevard of Chicago?
The Winter Walk community can support The Boulevard of Chicago by donating online or in person in Chicago (please email volunteer@blvd.org)
You can also spread the word about homelessness and about how medical respite care is a key part in the fight against homelessness.
Thank you so much for your time and we can’t wait to walk with you again in February!
Winter Walk is a nonprofit on a mission to end homelessness in America. Winter Walk hosts walk events in major cities across the United States designed to raise funds for local service organizations while building community between housed and unhoused people, and offers educational services to the public designed to eliminate the stigma associated with homelessness. At a time when homelessness is increasing across America, Winter Walk believes that ending homelessness is within our reach – and it starts with ending stigma. Winter Walk uplifts the voices of those who have experienced homelessness, breaking down negative images and stereotypes through storytelling, education, and community building. Learn more about our mission.
