Hesed House to expand family shelter with state grant

Hesed House, a vital homeless shelter in Aurora, is preparing a significant expansion project, receiving a nearly $1.6 million state grant to double its family shelter capacity.

The organization currently serves over 140 families at its family shelter, but many require off-site placement in hotels due to its limited 59-bed capacity.

Executive Director Joe Jackson stated this expansion is “drastically needed,” as the current funding for hotel rooms, costing approximately $750,000 annually even at reduced rates, is not guaranteed long-term.

Secured funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the city of Aurora partnered with Hesed House to approve and provide the grant.

The project aims not only to increase space but also to enhance services, including adding sensory rooms for children with autism, a dedicated classroom, a wheelchair lift, a new computer lab, and an isolation room.

These improvements are designed to ensure families and children have access to safe, stable shelter and crucial life-changing services, fulfilling the biblical principle of caring for the vulnerable (Proverbs 19:17) and the command to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35).

The Aurora City Council’s acceptance of the grant marks a pivotal moment, and Hesed House anticipates signing a construction contract by mid-to-late January, with work expected to span 14-16 months.

Source: Read the original report