Twenty one years ago, Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center developed the Transition to Independence Program and Shelter (TIPS). The program was designed to address the growing needs of homeless youth in Chicago’s south suburbs. Today, in addition to providing shelter to youth between the ages of 17-21 years old, the TIPS facility is used as a drop-in center for more than 100 runaway and homeless youth a year. We provide a brief, but safe haven for these youth to eat, shower, wash their clothes and/or use our resources to find an available placement. Aunt Martha’s also provides transportation assistance so that the youth are able to secure additional services. We are a community-based agency, and are visible in places where youth frequent. Youth needing assistance often find the TIPS facility through the strong word-of-mouth referral base, but additionally, street outreach is conducted by program staff so that homeless youth are aware of the program and the services available to them.

The goal of the TIPS program is to address the immediate problems facing homeless youth, first, and then address the underlying issues that affect their lifelong development and independence. We provide a safe, stable living environment, where mutual respect and effective communication are encouraged and we teach the residents the skills necessary to live successfully on their own. Long stretches of time living on the street or from place to place leave our youth with medical and mental health needs that need immediate attention. We stabilize the youth and they are then responsible for going to school and ultimately finding and maintaining employment. Each youth has an individualized self-sufficiency plan.

The TIPS program provides services to young adults who meet the Housing and Urban Development definition of homeless. The facility houses up to 12 participants; six male and six female, at any one time. The program also includes a supportive living component (two scattered-site apartments) in the surrounding area for those participants that succeed at the transitional living facility and need additional support to successfully transition to self-sufficiency. Frequently those youth are young adults who are parenting, seeking secondary education and/or completing a certification program to secure employment paying more than minimum wage. Aunt Martha’s provides services to address the needs of the whole person. Our youth are connected with behavioral health counselors and medical professionals as well as participate in training and groups on job skills, nutrition, life skills, conflict resolution and financial management.

A good example of the type of youth Aunt Martha’s TIPS’ program help is 17 year old Precious. She had been essentially homeless, living from one place to another for several years when she arrived on TIPS’ doorstep. A motivated young woman, Precious was desperate for a stable living arrangement, nutritious meals, medical examination and assistance enrolling back in school. Once her immediate needs were met, Precious began to excel. With assistance from the program she travels 90 minutes on both buses and trains one way to attend a college preparatory school. She has recently been accepted by two Big 10 schools! Precious demonstrates a working knowledge of all of the independent living skills necessary to ensure her success.

Funding for the TIPS program was recently cut. The funding helped supplement, support and sustain youth in the program and the community as they acquire the needed skills to be an independent, productive member of society. This program plays a vital role in providing services to youth in desperate need of help in a safe environment where learning is the primary focus. Aunt Martha’s is in the process of applying for funding that will help support the program and the participants.

There are things you can do to help. If you are able to help provide our youth with items that help them set up a small efficiency apartment, a job, a mentor, groceries or make a cash donation, please contact us! This program serves youth in your community and is a vital resource for the youth! Without this program, youth like Precious would feel hopeless and helpless.