Nine years after it began operations in the basement of Lakeview Lutheran Church, The CribThe Night Ministry's overnight shelter for young adultshas reopened in a larger, enhanced space on the first floor of 1735 N. Ashland Ave., The Night Ministry's new headquarters in Bucktown.
On July 13, The Crib's program specialists and members of The Night Ministry's Youth Outreach Team, who provide case management services at the shelter, were on hand to provide tours, discuss expectations for use of the space, help guests settle in, process the transition and make the place feel like home.
While Lakeview Lutheran Church has been a welcoming host for the shelter over the past decade, the strategic plan The Night Ministry embarked on in 2017 called for addressing facility challenges The Crib faced at the sitewhere sleeping, eating and hosting events all took place in the same 900-square-foot room, while guests slept on mats on the floor, and washroom and shower facilities were limited, a statement said.
Among the amenities at the new space are a multi-purpose room that can be used for dining, group activities and recreation; a dorm room with beds; multiple showers and washrooms; a large kitchen outfitted to cook breakfast and dinner for more than 20 young people; laundry facilities; and a lounge with computers.
See TheNightMinistry.org .