Connections for the Homeless Breaks Ground on Hilda’s Place Renovations

Connections for the Homeless symbolically broke ground Wednesday on renovations to reopen Hilda’s Place as an overnight shelter in the basement of Lake Street Church in Evanston. The organization, which provides short-term and permanent housing programs, drop-in services, and rental assistance across Evanston and northern Cook County, currently does not offer an emergency overnight shelter. The upcoming renovations will change that by transforming the space into a 30-bed overnight shelter open year-round to people of all genders.

The $6.7 million construction project is set to begin this month and finish in the spring. The renovations will add new showers, laundry facilities, and a working elevator. In the interim, Connections will continue to offer drop-in services on the first and second floors of the church, located at 607 Lake St. The groundbreaking celebration drew community leaders, elected officials, and residents who have benefited from the organization’s services. Attendees gathered on the church’s front lawn to read a timeline of the organization’s history, sign their names on a beam for the renovated space, and enjoy desserts.

Connections board president Dan Cox described the event as more than a construction project, stating it is about creating a place where neighbors in need can find support, dignity, and a good night’s sleep. Cox commended Lake Street Church’s history of service and activism, emphasizing its “Yes In God’s Backyard” (YIGB) approach. This philosophy serves as a response to “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) movements that oppose development. Since its inception in 1984, when it was known as the Center for Public Ministry, the organization has been inextricably tied to the church.

The group first formed through an effort to create a shelter in the church’s basement, which at the time violated the city’s zoning code. Eventually named Hilda’s Place in honor of the shelter’s first director, Hilda Carper, the space provided overnight shelter to community members until the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, Connections transitioned the space to offer drop-in services only, such as showers, medical care, and case management. Since 1984, Hilda’s Place has provided shelter and aid to community members experiencing homelessness, helping many obtain and sustain long-term housing.

The commitment to providing shelter and dignity reflects a broader moral imperative to care for the vulnerable, echoing the biblical call to defend the rights of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:8-9). By establishing a stable, year-round shelter, the community is addressing the immediate physical needs of its neighbors, a practice aligned with the instruction to clothe the naked and feed the hungry (Matthew 25:35). This initiative underscores the value of treating those facing housing insecurity not as a problem to be managed, but as neighbors deserving of respect and care.

The collaboration between the nonprofit and the church highlights a model of community response that prioritizes mercy and accountability. By overcoming zoning challenges and adapting to changing needs, the organization demonstrates a sustained commitment to justice and peace in the neighborhood. The upcoming completion of the renovations aims to restore a vital resource for those in crisis, ensuring that the community’s response to homelessness remains active and compassionate.

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