CCH awards college scholarships to seven new high school graduates

Seven high school graduates who will receive a CCH college scholarship were celebrated at an outdoor celebration with CCH staff, selection committee members, and limited guests on July 26. CCH offers $3,500 renewable scholarships to students who succeeded in school while experiencing homelessness. The early afternoon event was hosted in Maggie Daley Park downtown. Guests gathered over boxed lunches before each graduate was presented with their award, along with a care package of college supplies and a new laptop, thanks to the generosity of the Osa Foundation. Meet our new winners. 

CCH closes application for second round of Mutual Aid Fund assistance

Responding to pressing community need, CCH reopened the CCH Mutual Aid Fund. The Fund will provide direct cash support of $500 to Illinois residents in need. Applications were available from July 1 until the 500-application cap was reached on July 12. CCH grassroots leaders – people who have experienced homelessness and work in partnership with CCH staff – run the fund. Leaders designed the fund and are currently processing applications to determine which requests will receive support. Applicants can expect to hear back on the status of their application by August 11. All funds are expected to be distributed by October 10. CCH continues to accept designated donations to the fund here. 

Education Attorney receives fellowship from Chicago Bar Foundation

CCH Education Attorney Alyssa Phillips was honored with the Kimball R. Anderson & Karen Gatsis Anderson Public Interest Law Fellowship from the Chicago Bar Foundation earlier this month. Through her work with our Law Project, Alyssa advocates and provides legal assistance for the educational rights of homeless students in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs through outreach, community education, and direct representation. During the pandemic, Alyssa had to think creatively on how to reach the most vulnerable students. She assisted homeless shelters with gaining access to Wi-Fi, school fee waivers, and other educational rights information.