Connections for the Homeless

What Connections for the Homeless does

Connections for the Homeless is a 501(c)-style nonprofit organization founded in 1984 and headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, providing a comprehensive safety net for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability across Evanston and northern Cook County. Its core service delivery is built around two walk-in drop-in centers — 2121 Dewey Avenue (serving families, housed individuals, and people with physical disabilities) and Hilda's Place at 1458 Chicago Avenue (serving single adults experiencing homelessness) — which together offer trauma-informed basic needs services (food pantry, clothing, showers, laundry, storage, internet), on-site health and mental health services, ID and benefits assistance, case management, and housing navigation. The organization also runs a homelessness prevention program and operates as a regional referral hub connecting clients to partner shelters including Interfaith Action of Evanston (cold-weather shelter), SPARC (24/7 intake), Family Promise, and Shield of Hope, with intake coordinated through the Suburban Cook Call Center (Entry Point).

The organization's technology stack is intentionally low-tech and human-centric, centered on a trauma-informed service delivery model and case-management workflows rather than proprietary software; its primary platforms appear to be VolunteerHub for coordinating its 1,600+ annual volunteers, Squarespace-based web properties, and standard phone/email intake. Revenue is generated almost entirely through donations, corporate contributions, in-kind giving, foundation grants, and volunteer labor — services are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries. The organization operates an in-house advocacy subsidiary, Joining Forces for Affordable Housing, which conducts community organizing and policy advocacy at the local (Evanston Housing4All), regional (Lake County expansion, Envision Evanston 2045), and state level (origination of Illinois HB 5394), functioning as both a service provider and a policy actor in the regional affordable housing ecosystem.

Name

Connections for the Homeless

Legal name

Connect2Home

Website

https://connect2home.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Connections for the Homeless is an Evanston, Illinois-based nonprofit founded in 1984 that provides drop-in services, housing navigation, homelessness prevention, and emergency shelter referrals to individuals and families experiencing housing instability across Evanston and northern Cook County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homelessness and Housing Social Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC)

Keywords

• Homelessness services
• Housing assistance
• Drop-in services
• Affordable housing advocacy
• Homelessness prevention

Headquarters

HQ city

Evanston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations, corporate contributions, and in-kind donations from supporters who want to make a difference in the community.
2. Volunteer Services: More than 1,600 volunteers contribute time annually, cooking meals, sorting donations, and building community with residents.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Connections for the Homeless operates as a nonprofit social services organization providing direct services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Evanston and northern Cook County. Core offerings include trauma-informed drop-in services (food, clothing, showers, laundry, health and mental health services), homelessness prevention assistance, housing navigation and case management, emergency shelter referrals, and advocacy for affordable housing policy through its Joining Forces for Affordable Housing branch.

Product overview

Connections for the Homeless operates as a nonprofit social services organization offering a portfolio of direct service programs and advocacy initiatives. Core services include Drop-In Services (trauma-informed basic needs at Hilda's Place and 2121 Dewey Ave locations providing food, clothing, showers, laundry, health/mental health services, and housing assistance), Homelessness Prevention programs, and Emergency Shelter & Housing Referrals through community partnerships. The organization's advocacy arm, Joining Forces for Affordable Housing, conducts organizing, education, and policy campaigns including the Equitable Zoning Reform Campaign and state-level legislative advocacy. Seasonal programs include Winter Warmth (winter gear distribution) and National Underwear Day (underwear collection drive).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Joining Forces for Affordable Housing: The advocacy branch of Connections for the Homeless, focusing on policy advocacy, zoning reform, and community organizing to advance affordable housing.

Products and services

• Drop-In Services

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Interfaith Action of EvanstoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Hospitality Center at St. Mark's Episcopal Church providing additional drop-in services including coffee, breakfast, employment support, and computer/phone access. Interfaith Action also operates cold weather emergency overnight shelter October through May.
• Suburban Cook Call Center (Entry Point)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCentralized intake system for suburban Cook County housing services. Callers receive assessment determining eligibility for assistance including Connections' services.
• SPARC (Shelter Placement and Resource Center)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner24/7 intake location in Chicago at 2241 S. Halsted St for connecting single adults with shelter placements and interim basic services.
• Family PromisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for families seeking emergency shelter. Contact: 847.475.4500.
• Shield of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for families seeking emergency shelter. Contact: 872.281.7610.
• Housing4All CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition advocacy effort that successfully passed Housing4All strategic housing plan in Evanston City Council, establishing goals for housing affordability at all income levels.
• Open CommunitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in advocacy coalition for housing affordability and zoning reform in Evanston.
• Urban PlaydatesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in advocacy coalition for equitable zoning reform.
• Rezoning for a Better EvanstonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in advocacy coalition for zoning reform.
• Evanston Transit AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in advocacy coalition for housing and zoning reform.
• Say Yes! To DuplexesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in advocacy coalition for housing affordability.
• Joining Forces for Affordable Housing ChapterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional chapters including Evanston, Northwest Cook County, Lake County, Gurnee, Libertyville, and emerging chapters in Schaumburg and Skokie working on local housing advocacy.
• Joining Forces for Affordable HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy branch of Connections bringing together individuals, faith communities, and local non-profits to advocate for housing density, abundance, and affordability. Conducts Equitable Zoning Reform Campaign and organizes chapters across the region.
• Chicago Metropolitan Agency on PlanningmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical assistance provider for Equitable Zoning Project, helping gather feedback on zoning impacts.
• ZoneCo LLCmajorTechnology or IntegrationZoning consulting firm that conducted diagnostic analysis of Evanston's zoning code from an equity perspective in 2020, providing technical expertise for the Equitable Zoning Project.
• First RepairmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical assistance provider for community engagement in the Equitable Zoning Project.
• Northwest Alliance for Affordable Housing (NAHA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Arlington Heights chapter of Joining Forces. NAHA provides ideas and support for housing affordability advocacy.
• Live Well Lake County CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition where Joining Forces' Associate Director of Lake County co-chairs the Housing Action Team, advocating for affordable housing education and addressing housing system gaps.
• Center for Independent FuturesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Equitable Zoning Project, helping reach people with disabilities in gathering input on zoning impacts.
• EC2C Advocates for ActionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner with deep ties in Evanston's 5th and 8th wards for community engagement in zoning discussions.
• Evanston LatinosmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for gathering input from Latino/Hispanic community on zoning impacts.
• Evanston NAACPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for reaching communities of color with zoning feedback gathering.
• Evanston Own ItmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for equity-focused community engagement in zoning project.
• Laude Consulting LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting partner for community engagement in zoning project.
• Radio La DifferenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia partner helping reach community members for zoning feedback.
• VAJM ConsultingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting partner for community engagement in zoning project.
• Housing Action IllinoismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-time partner and advisor to Joining Forces for state-level advocacy, particularly on affordable housing and homeless services legislation in Illinois.
• Reba Place Development CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on affordable housing development; Executive Director Keith Banks is a Joining Forces member.
• Evanston Cradle to CareermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization working on education and family support; Community Engagement Director Kimberly Holmes-Ross is involved in Joining Forces advocacy.
• League of Women Voters of EvanstonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization that helped start Joining Forces and continues to collaborate on housing affordability advocacy.
• Envision Evanston 2045coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity-led comprehensive planning process that Connections and Joining Forces engage with to advocate for equitable zoning reform and housing affordability in Evanston's zoning code overhaul.
• Supportive Housing Providers Association (SHPA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMax Seeley, Director of Government Affairs, collaborated on state advocacy for HB 5394 on credit barriers for housing voucher holders.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PADS of Lake County: Provides emergency overnight shelter and homelessness prevention services across Lake County, IL—a contiguous geography to Connections' Evanston footprint. Direct comparability in service mix (shelter coordination, prevention, case management) and target population.
• Family Promise: National nonprofit focused on family homelessness; Connections directly refers families to a local Family Promise affiliate. Directly comparable model: emergency shelter referrals, prevention, and re-housing services for families with children.
• Thresholds: Chicago-based nonprofit providing housing, mental health, and recovery services for people with mental illnesses and homelessness. Direct peer in supportive housing and case management model for vulnerable populations in the same metro area.
• Deborah's Place: Chicago nonprofit providing housing, shelter, and services specifically for women experiencing homelessness. Comparable in shelter-to-housing pipeline and trauma-informed service delivery within the Chicago region.
• A Safe Haven: Chicago-based organization providing housing, job training, and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. Comparable in comprehensive service model and Chicago-area footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago: Large regional social services umbrella operating housing, food, and emergency assistance programs across the Chicago metro. Comparable in target population and service categories, but operates at vastly greater scale and a broader portfolio beyond homelessness.
• Salvation Army Metropolitan Division: Operates emergency shelters, transitional housing, and drop-in services across Chicago and northern Illinois. Comparable in direct service delivery to people experiencing homelessness, but operates nationally and at significantly greater scale.
• National Alliance to End Homelessness: National policy and research organization focused on ending homelessness. Comparable in advocacy and policy strategy at a national level, providing frameworks and best practices that inform organizations like Connections.
• Heartland Alliance: Chicago-based anti-poverty organization providing housing, healthcare, and human services. Comparable in serving people experiencing homelessness with wraparound supports, but operates a broader portfolio across poverty-related services nationally and internationally.

Emerging players

• Housing Action Illinois: Statewide advocacy coalition advancing affordable housing policy. Directly comparable in advocacy mission—Connections collaborates with Housing Action Illinois for state-level work—and represents a peer in policy influence rather than direct service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Connections for the Homeless