Every year, Joliet Homeless Direct Assistance runs a clothing drive starting in the late fall as winter is around the corner and our large homeless population in Joliet desperately needs warm clothes, blankets, stocking caps, gloves, boots, etc. as well as nice clothing for job interviews to get back on their feet. This started as a two-person effort: the first year, one of my best friends and I collected and delivered clothing, blankets, personal items, and winter accessories to one of our two homeless shelters and the overlooked and ignored "tent city" -- a small area deep in a forest preserve where there is a small population of people living year-round in shanty tents.

 

By the second year, we had two actual company sponsors -- a local thrift store and our local Curves women's workout center. The third year it dwindled down to myself only as my friend's health declined (she is currently in the process of a possible liver transplant UPDATE: the co-creator of JDHA, Nancy, has passed on, but her legacy of giving lives on through JDHA and many others). The fourth year our little drive grew massively when two of us (myself and the third partner, big Dave, the idealist behind Camp Hope/Cabin City) combined our efforts with a local church and were able to offer hot coffee, fresh baked goods, care packages, and -- best of all -- donated tents!!!  That, plus all of the above-mentioned winter items, were collected and offered in a centralized location at Highland Park. Not a single article of clothing or blanket is ever wasted - the remainder is delivered directly to homeless people we meet as well as to the local Daybreak Shelter.

Our 5th Annual, we hoped our drive to continue to grow to be the largest drive in Will County. Our 6th annual drive in 2018 just passed, and we are year round now. We are always in need of funds for new tents to raffle off, personal items, coffee, and treats, as well as ID Vouchers to help people access potential employment and other needed services, and clothing, blankets, personal items, tents etc. as direct donations, as well as volunteers! All of the same goes for Camp Hope.

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Three main things you can do: DONATE CLOTHING AND/OR personal items, blankets, tents, etc. (Setup a pickup or dropoff via the contact link). DONATE MONETARILY via the donate link. VOLUNTEER via the contact link (a donation of your time, energy, and Love!)! If you don't get a reply right away, leave a message, email us, or call back if you are able. Thank you!