Looking to Help Migrants and Unhoused Chicagoans This Winter? Here’s What the City Recommends

Erica Demarest | October 29, 2023 11:45 am

(Julia M. Cameron / Pexels)

With winter fast approaching, the city of Chicago is reminding people that asylum seekers and homeless residents are in need of clothing, toiletries and other items.

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Since Aug. 31, 2022, more than 19,000 migrants have been sent to Chicago from the southern border. A 2023 study from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless estimates there are more than 68,000 Chicagoans currently experiencing homelessness.

The city is collaborating with several local organizations to provide blankets, coats and other items. For more information, visit chicago.gov/support.

Here are some of the organizations:

• One Warm Coat is a national nonprofit that provides free coats to kids and adults while promoting volunteerism and environmental sustainability. Click here to search for coat donation sites near you. According to the city, One Warm Coat is coordinating donations of new outerwear for migrant families. The organization also accepts monetary donations to buy new coats at wholesale prices.

• Instituto del Progreso Latino is accepting monetary donations to purchase items in bulk for migrants. People can also buy items directly from an Amazon Wish List set up in partnership with the organization.

• New Life Centers is seeking gently used and new furniture and winter clothing, as well as hygiene items. Cradles to Crayons Chicago is collecting new and gently used clothing on behalf of New Life Centers. Coats and furniture can be dropped off at New Life Centers, 4401 W. Ogden Ave.; monetary donations are accepted here. For more information, visit NewVecinos.com.

• Chicago Furniture Bank is the largest provider of free furniture to Chicago’s unhoused population. The organization is collecting new and gently used furniture for people resettling into permanent housing. Click here to schedule a furniture pickup. You can also drop off donations at 4801 S. Whipple St. (9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday to Friday).

• Cradles to Crayons Chicago provides clothing to children up to 12 years old who are homeless or living in low-income situations. The organization is partnering with New Life Centers and is seeking new and gently used clothing, shoes, coats, socks, underwear and pajamas. Click here to find a drop-off location. Items can also be purchased directly from the organization’s Amazon Wish List.