By: Ashmar Mandou

With the winter months quickly approaching, a need to provide families with winter coats, shoes, and warm clothing along with other essential items is imminent. Since August 31, 2022, the City of Chicago has welcomed more than 19,000 asylum-seekers. According to a 2023 study by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, over 68,000 Chicagoans are currently experiencing homelessness. To protect new arrivals and unhoused Chicagoans from falling temperatures, the City is collaborating with external partners to provide blankets, coats, and other items. For residents and organizations interested in making a direct impact, the City is working with a number of organizations and mutual aid groups to assist new arrivals. The following are the organizations you can find online at Chicago.gov/Support.  

• One Warm Coat is a national nonprofit organization that provides free coats to children and adults in need while promoting volunteerism and environmental sustainability. Chicago residents can find a place to donate coats near them by searching by zip code or can register to hold a coat drive here. In addition, One Warm Coat is coordinating donations of new outerwear for migrant families in Chicago through its Zero Waste Initiative. One Warm Coat is also accepting monetary donations (minimum of $5,000) to purchase new coats at wholesale prices.  

• Instituto del Progreso Latino is now accepting monetary donations to purchase items for new arrivals in bulk. Donations can be made on its website by visiting this link. Additionally, residents can purchase items directly from an Amazon Wish List set up in partnership with Instituto del Progreso Latino. This Wish List is regularly updated to meet the needs of new arrivals in the City’s shelters and respite facilities. You can find the Wish List by clicking Rapid Response Wish List on Amazon or at InstitutoChicago.org.  

• New Life Centers is asking for donations of gently used and new furniture, winter clothing, and other essential hygiene items. Cradles to Crayons® Chicago is collecting new and gently used clothing in all sizes on behalf of New Life Centers. All items will be provided to unhoused individuals and families, including newcomers, free of charge. Winter coats and other furniture can also be dropped off at New Life Centers at 4401 W. Ogden Ave Chicago IL 60623. Financial donations are being accepted here: newlifecenters.org/campaign/welcome-hope. More info on the program can be found at NewVecinos.com.  

• Chicago Furniture Bank is partnering with New Life Centers to provide furniture to new arrivals resettling into permanent housing. Chicago Furniture Bank is collecting new and gently used furniture, and is the largest provider of free furniture to Chicago’s unhoused population. In order to sustain their current operation, they need your help. Spread the word among your constituents and encourage them to donate extra furniture to our unhoused neighbors, including new arrivals. Request Form to Schedule Furniture Pick-Up: chicagofurniturebank.org/pickups. Donation Drop-offs: 4801 S Whipple St, Chicago, IL, 60632 (Monday-Friday, 9 am – 4 pm) More information: chicagofurniturebank.org/. 
 
• Cradles to Crayons Chicago is partnering with New Life Centers to provide clothing, shoes, and basic essential items for new arrivals. Cradles to Crayons Chicago is the only large-scale organization addressing clothing insecurity: the lack of access to affordable, adequate, and appropriate clothing. The organization provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive through their service partners. In order to fulfill the need in Chicago, they need donations of gently used clothing, shoes, and winter coats as well as new socks, underwear, and pajamas. Find a local drop-off location near you Find a Local Drop-Off – Cradles to Crayons – Chicago or shop their Amazon Wish List.  

The City will also continue efforts to provide immediate short-term shelter and resources and move anyone sleeping outdoors into shelters across the city. If you would like to donate winter clothing, blankets, or essential items, visit https://chi.gov/NewArrivals.