Southside Center of Hope

11/10/2025

This past Saturday, Southside Center of Hope partnered with Top Box Foods for a Turkey Box Giveaway for families we serve.

With many of our residents facing food insecurity, made even harder by the government shutdown, these turkey boxes meant more than a holiday meal. They offered relief, dignity, and a reminder that our families are not alone.

Huge thanks to Top Box Foods for their partnership and to everyone who supports our work with women and children experiencing homelessness.

11/03/2025

“Broken pieces turn into beautiful things,” says Tawana, as she reflects on her journey from homelessness to hope in our latest newsletter. “If you put the pieces together, you can create something beautiful.”

Tawana is a living witness to this. Ten years ago, she found a home at Independence House after two long years living in a homeless shelter. “I felt like a failure,” she recalls. “I had no money, no stability, and three children depending on me. But I knew giving up wasn’t an option.”

Today, Tawana is a licensed social worker, a nonprofit founder, and a grandmother of six. Her youngest child, daughter Katie, will graduate from high school this spring with an associate's degree and wants to work in government to change the systems that make second chances so difficult for hard working women like her mom.

Women like Tawana and Katie why we do what we do at Independence House.

You can read Tawana's story at https://conta.cc/48uOjeE

10/31/2025

Psst!

Have you heard?

Our latest annual report has been published, and it's going to make you smile!

Download it now for an encouraging read -->https://www.southsidecenterofhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-Annual-Report.pdf

10/30/2025

Tawana Pope is a licensed social worker, nonprofit founder, grandmother of six -- and Independence House resident. We're honored she was willing to share her story with us in our latest newsletter, and I know you will be inspired by her resilience. (Her daughter Katie is pretty impressive, too!)

Click to read her amazing story --> https://conta.cc/48uOjeE

10/29/2025

Surprise gifts = BIG smiles! Thank you to everyone sending love through our Amazon Wish List. Your generosity helps us provide essentials to families in need every day.

10/23/2025

Our FY25 Annual Report is Here!

We’re excited to share Southside Center of Hope’s FY25 Annual Report — a celebration of growth, resilience, and community impact.

This past year, we walked alongside women and families as they built brighter futures, strengthened by hope and your unwavering support.

Thank you to our incredible donors, partners, and volunteers who make this work possible every day. Together, we continue to empower women, restore hope, and transform lives.

Read the full report here ➡️https://www.southsidecenterofhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-Annual-Report.pdf

10/20/2025

As the temperatures begin to drop in Chicago, we’re reminded just how important it is to make sure everyone has a warm coat to face the winter ahead.
Thanks to the generous support of the Reva & David Logan Foundation, this past Saturday we were able to distribute winter coats to our clients.
Together, we’re not just providing coats, we’re offering warmth, dignity, and hope.

10/16/2025

A heartfelt thank you to Nina Zavala of Connections for Abused Women and their Children for taking the time to speak with our clients and share valuable information during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Your support helps empower survivors and raise awareness about the impact of domestic violence in our community.

10/02/2025

This past Saturday, our beloved Co-Founder, Sister Therese, on her 87th birthday!

Join us in wishing her a very Happy (belated) Birthday! May her year ahead be filled with love, health, and continued blessings. ❤️
Drop your birthday wishes for Sister Therese in the comments below! ⬇️

09/30/2025

Remembering Southside Center of Hope in your will, trust, or other estate plan is a powerful way to honor your commitment to the work of empowering women and children to break free from homelessness, addiction, and poverty.

Visit the link below to find out how you can create a legacy of hope!
https://www.southsidecenterofhope.org/our-story/leave-a-legacy/

09/26/2025

Recovery is not only the absence of substance use; it’s also the presence of purpose. The recovery journey is sustained by hobbies, activities, and relationships that bring us joy, connection, and meaning.

Too often, recovery is framed as a series of things to give up. But just as vital is what we add in.

Read more in our September newsletter ⬇️
https://conta.cc/46kg2NC

09/25/2025

Read the latest updates on happenings at SSCOH in our September newsletter!

⬇️
https://conta.cc/46kg2NC

Email from https://www.southsidecenterofhope.org/     September 2025 A Note from Yaisa Greetings! September is National Recovery Month and this year's theme is Recovery is REAL (Restoring Every Aspect