Humans for Hope
"It is not how much we give, but how much LOVE we put into giving" - Mother Teresa
HUMANS FOR HOPE: Dedicated to spreading love, community support and accessible wellness and healing services to all souls moving through houselessness, living on the streets or to any soul in need.
At the end of the day, WE ARE ALL ONE:
HUMANS. ❤️
My name is Lindsay Gerhardt and I am the founder of Humans For Hope.
My deep passion for supporting and advocating for this community started with me volunteering alongside my mom at Dupage PADS when I was younger. I saw there, the beautiful healing power of care, kindness, community support and love.
My mom and I would spend the nights after dinner until our shift ended, talking to all of the souls who were staying the night, hearing their stories, connecting as true, family.
In this time, I always wanted to do, more. I saw the consistent missing pieces of souls simply having shelter or a meal but not having access to what was often most helpful during this time: community support, advocacy, opportunity, love.
I saw myself in many of them. As I myself had gone through much trauma growing up and yet, I saw and knew, I was still protected, supported and had shelter. They, did not.
Each time I left the shelter, I was sad that I was leaving and they, were staying behind.
This community has changed my life. For years now.
At 17 I started developing multiple chronic illnesses along with my first blood clots which switched my whole life plans. These blood clots and my health offered another reality for me that connected me to these souls out there, life could change at any moment. I once again, saw myself in them. If I had not had my family support, I could have been on the streets due to medical debt and unable to care for myself.
I have seen and heard in the various stories time and time again, this could be ANY of us. It could always be, me.
The individuals I have met over the years along with each of their unique stories have completely changed my life and I try to do whatever I can now to advocate their truths for them. No one should go silenced or forgotten in society.
Throughout the years of just stopping on the street, volunteering at homeless shelters and working to help the homeless transition into housing at a mental health center, I have met the strongest souls with the most traumatic stories... just hoping someone will see them as a HUMAN, not their label. Someone who will take the time not to judge, but to really get to know them and see them.
These souls deserve to feel safe and supported in our communities. They deserve real hope and opportunity for a re birth for in their lives.
Their stories show us that they are just human and that they are simply fighting like hell to survive everyday.
Sadly, most never have a chance to share their truth and tell what makes them, them. I've always wanted to help them do just that.
In December of 2016, I finally told myself I was going to start going full force to do whatever it took to make my dream into an ongoing organization. I knew I wanted to start being able to not only help with resources, medical items/assistance, healthy food,clothing, etc but also by really connecting, sharing their stories and bringing their truths and beauties out of the shadows.
There started, HUMANS FOR HOPE.
Our mission of the project is to help those experiencing houselessness in the Chicago land areas, not only by personally offering them choices of various needed items/services/resources on the street or at 2nd Presbyterian (clothing, medical supplies, healthy food, etc) , but also through connecting and building relationships with them, helping them advocate in any way we can.
We document our friends' stories,talents, etc to help them feel heard, create conversation and also help break stigma for each individual and the overall population.
These are just everyday people who just want to be seen, heard and understood as HUMANS, not labels.
Humans For Hope collects motivational notes, healthy snacks / food, clothing, gym shoes/boots, medical supplies, and other various items, so PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU WOULD LIKE A LIST OF NEEDED ITEMS OR HAVE ANY ITEMS YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE! WE ARE ALWAYS iTEM TAKING DONATIONS! We can set up a pick up or meet up for your convenience as well!
All monetary donations will go toward :
1. MEDICAL SUPPLIES ( wraps, bandages, antibiotic creams, fungal creams, diabetic testing strips, cough drops, nasal sprays, socks, foot creams, rash creams.feminine care, first aid kit items etc) MOST OF THE ITEMS ARE BETWEEN .50 and 2.00!
2. HEALTHY FOODS/SNACKS (fruits/veggies, trail mix, low /zero sugar snacks, granola bars, also any type of soft, healthy snack items, as many have lost teeth, or have minimal and that creates a hard time chewing )
3. PERSONAL CARE SUPPLIES (combs/brushes, toothbrushes, floss, soap, shampoo/condtioner, lotions, razors, feminine supplies, etc) MOST ITEMS COME IN PACKS BETWEEN 25 and 3.00!
4. BOOTS/SHOES/SOCKS/ OTHER CLOTHING/WEATHER ACCESSORIES/ SLEEPING BAGS & NEW UNDERWEAR/BRAS (Items can be found at Goodwill, The Dollar Store, etc for very low prices! A new pair of underwear, pair of boots or a warm jackect go such a long way!) .50-5.00
5. RESOURCE BOOKETS WITH LISTINGS OF SHELTERS/ORGANIZATIONS
(Many individuals do not have phones to store information and have no knowledge of resources in the surrounding areas for help. )
I will be sharing updates of the journey as well as the stories of those we meet along the way on the Humans for Hope Instagram page (IG: humansforhope) as well as the Facebook Page (Humans For Hope (facebook.com/humansforhopechicago)
If you're interested in sending a personalized inspirational note, donating items or if you would like to get involved and come on a give, please contact me, Lindsay Gerhardt, at (630) [phone redacted] or email us at [email redacted]
Thank you on the behalf of everyone who will be helped by all of your kind donations! :) Without you all, Humans For Hope would not be possible!
Much love <3
