Since our beginning more than 30 years ago, Housing Action Illinois has traveled around our state to visit with our members, host regional gatherings, and take the pulse of housing issues in rural, suburban, and urban Illinois. We discuss the challenges and successes of our member organizations, share updates on our current and future initiatives, and identify opportunities for collaboration. By working together, we know we can achieve more.

2019 Caravan

This year, we focused on bringing skills and knowledge to communities around the state. In addition to site visits with member organizations, our staff facilitated trainings developed in East St. Louis, Springfield, and Rockford.

With partners from the Community Builders Network in Granite City

The Fundamentals of Rental Counseling (Springfield)

During this three-day workshop in Central Illinois, we taught nearly 25 participants how to support clients who are hoping to rent an apartment or home rather than buy one. Housing Action Illinois developed this training in 2017 in response to repeated requests for guidance from housing counselors in our network.

Storytelling for Change (Rockford)

The stories of people who live in supportive housing can shed light on important issues, such as what it is like to experience homelessness or live with mental illness or a disability. In partnership with the Supportive Housing Providers Association, we brought a half-day Storytelling for Change workshop to Rockford to explore ways that we can shape stories to foster understanding and incite action.

With storytelling workshop participants in Rockford

Marketing Strategies for Small Nonprofits (East St. Louis & Springfield)

Effective marketing strategies are vital for nonprofits of any size, but budget constraints make it difficult for small organizations to hire dedicated marketing staff members. During this two and a half hour workshop, which we brought to East St. Louis and Springfield, we brainstormed with approximately 30 participants on how they can spread the word about their programs even on a shoestring budget and shared new techniques for staff members who aren’t marketing experts.

Visiting Members

Our staff also visited several member organizations and a Continuum of Care meeting to learn about local priorities and challenges:

With partners from Sarah’s Circle in Chicago

Would you like Housing Action Illinois to visit your organization on our 2020 caravan? Email communications@housingactionil.org to let us know.

 

Past Years

2018

During July 2018, half a dozen Housing Action Illinois staff members and several of our Board members logged 1,700 miles and engaged with 126 individuals from more than 75 organizations during site visits, trainings, and regional forums. Learn more »

With partners at Living Independent Now Center of Southern Illinois (LINC) in Swansea

2017

For our 30th Anniversary Caravan, we revived our summer caravan after a brief lull. We visited nearly 25 organizations around the state, focusing on site visits where we toured agencies and discussed local issues. Learn more »