Who We Are
For over 20 years BEDS PLUS has provided vital services to thousands of homeless individuals and families in our community. In addition to safe, warm overnight shelter and hot, healthy meals, we offer professional assistance with medical care, mental health, sobriety, employment and housing. Our staff includes case managers, a registered nurse, addiction counselors and employment specialists. Learn more about us and how you can take part in our mission.
> Read more
Homelessness in West Suburban Cook County
The homeless people in our villages and townships come from diverse backgrounds and complex situations. Many have recently fallen on hard times due to job loss or cutbacks in public resources. Others struggle with mental illness or addiction. They are our veterans, relatives and neighbors. Read their stories here.
News & Events
JOBS OPEN AT BEDS.
BEDS currently has three open positions - contact us!
SAVE THE DATE:
The BEDS PLUS PROM is coming, April 24, 2010...
We Need Your Dresses!
Can you donate an old prom or bridesmaid dress?
The Power of One Gift.
One person, one hour, one gift can make an exponential difference in the lives of many. Our volunteers, staff and donors prove this from dusk til dawn, as we meet the needs of the homeless night after night, year after year. We could not do it without financial support from individual donors in our community. From $10 to $1000, we make sure every dollar you give has an exponential impact.
About us
BEDS PLUS, Inc.
Since 1988, BEDS PLUS has given the homeless a safe place to sleep, hot homemade meals, professional counseling, and the job services they need to become self-sufficient.
With our large corps of volunteers, our dedicated staff and the long term support of local faith-based communities, we have helped thousands of homeless individuals and families come in from the cold and get back on their feet. Our local hospitals, schools, police and fire departments, churches, social service agencies and families consider BEDS their “go to” resource for those among us in desperate straits.
Our Programs & Services
Service Area
BEDS PLUS provides
We also offer a daytime job training program to help clients find and obtain work. Clients must register with BEDS for this program.
We operate shelters and programs in west suburban Cook County, and service the homeless in LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Brookfield, Riverside, Countryside, Western Springs, Hinsdale and Lyons.
The homeless in our communities come from diverse backgrounds and situations. Many have recently fallen on hard times due to job loss or cutbacks in public services. Others struggle with mental illness or addiction. They are our veterans, family and neighbors.
Our Clients
Staff & Board of Directors
Executive Director..........Molly Salisbury, salisbury_bedsonline.org
Development Director......Sue Michalowski, michalowski_bedsonline.org
Operations Manager........Cody Umbach, umbach_bedsonline.org
Volunteer Coordinator......Cody Umbach, umbach_bedsonline.org
Program Director.............OPEN
Case Manager................OPEN - Substance Abuse Counselor sought
Nurse Case Manager......OPEN
Mark Irpino, President Thomas J. Furey, MD, VP Debbie Brooks, Sec Catherine Riddick, Treas Jeffry Kraus Victor Agusta Karin Connelly, Esq. Jim Hannigan Norma Karstens Hugh Rhodes Greg Vichick Greg Wolter
Terri Keenan
Shelters
Shelter Schedules & Locations through April 30, 2010
Our shelters open each night at 7pm and close the next morning at 7am.
BEDS PLUS provides:
- A safe place to sleep
- An evening meal (7:30 - 8:30 PM)
- Breakfast for overnight clients (5:30 - 6:30 AM)
- Case management services
- Other care available upon request
Moving Forward Program Wednesdays & Fridays
11am - 3pm
Offering job search and training service, individualized health and wellness support and lunch.
Click for our updated monthly calendar of services.
MONDAY
St. Francis Xavier, 145 N. Waiola Avenue, LaGrange (Joyce Hall)
TUESDAY
Brainard Ave Baptist, 6251 S. Brainard Avenue, Countryside (South Entrance)
WEDNESDAY
Emmanuel Episcopal, 203 S Kensington, LaGrange (Catherine Ave Entrance)
THURSDAY
First United Methodist, 100 W. Cossitt, LaGrange (Rose Garden Entrance)
Parking at First Presbyterian, diagonally across at Ashland & Elm
FRIDAY
First Congregational Church of Brookfield,9146Lincoln Ave, Brookfield
(Maple Ave Entrance)
SATURDAY
First United Methodist Church, 4300 Howard, Western Springs (43rd Street Entrance)
SUNDAY
St. Louise de Marillac, 1112 Raymond, La Grange Park, (Colonnade Room)
Click to see a Google Map of all our Shelter Locations.
Success stories
Family finds support at BEDS.
From Mary, whose brother was living in despair on the streets and was estranged from his family for years, until they found help at BEDS PLUS.
I have a brother who is mentally ill. He had been homeless for many years and our family had lost touch with him. Through the assistance of BEDS, he is no longer living on the streets. When my brother had no place else to go, BEDS provided him with a safe place to sleep and hot meals. They went further as well. With help from the staff and volunteers of BEDS, we were able to get housing for him at the Richport YMCA, where he lived for over a year.
When the YMCA closed, the stress of moving became too much for my brother and again, BEDS came to our assistance. With their help, my brother was hospitalized, not incarcerated. He now lives in a supported environment. It is only through the strength and support of organizations like BEDS PLUS that help reaches those most desperately in need...as well as family members, like me.
Volunteer washes over 3,000 sheets & linens!
Elaine Burke, BEDS Laundry Volunteer since 2001, is a busy stay-at-home mom with five children - three in college, one in high school and one in seventh grade.
Her son Ryan has special needs and is the first student to be included in a Catholic high school in the Midwest. He attends Notre Dame High School in Niles.
Eight years ago, Elaine decided to volunteer for BEDS. "I didn't have the time to commit to working at the shelter sites, so I chose to wash sheets for the program instead," she says. "I can wash them on my own time, in my own home. I volunteer for many organizations, but I feel I am making a difference at BEDS."
Elaine has volunteered around the world, from Romania to South America, helping children and people less fortunate. "I feel blessed to have the means to have five children and realize what a "gift" that is."
On being a Laundry Volunteer, she tells us, "A lot of people think they do not have the time to volunteer. Washing the sheets once or twice a month is very workable. I add it to my monthly calendar and actually, I do have a rewarding feeling when I deliver the clean sheets back to the shelter. It's nice to do something for others besides your own family."
Thank you Elaine! You make an enormous difference in our community.
News
BEDS PLUS is hiring! We have 3 open positions in La Grange:
Please forward your resume and a cover letter,indicating the position you are applying for,
to Cody Umbach: umbach_bedsonline.org. No phone calls please.
Nurse Case Manager (Part-Time, Competitive Salary)
Candidate must be a Registered Nurse.
Duties include:
*Providing medical assessments, medical education, and prescription education.
*Administering intake assessments with new clients.
*Case management of clients providing implementation and follow up.
Substance Abuse Counselor (Full Time, 32-35hrs/wk, Competitive Salary)
Candidates must have a Bachelor's Degree, CADC
*Administering intake assessments with new clients
*Case management of clients providing referrals and follow-up
*Group facilitation
Program Director (Full Time 32-35 hours/week, Competitive Salary)
*Development of client centered programs
*Supervision of Case Management Staff
*Oversight of record keeping and reporting
Coming Events
PROM is coming. Wear your best retro Prom attire and dance the night away to the best dance tunes from the 60s, 70s and 80s. More info coming soon - in the meantime, mark your calendar for Saturday, April 24, 2010, 8pm-Midnight!
We Need Your Old Dresses...really we do.
BEDS is accepting donations of retro, vintage or gently used Prom and Bridesmaid dresses for our pre-Prom trunk show. You can help us raise money for our mission just by cleaning out your closet. If you'd like to donate, email Sue Michalowski: michalowski_bedsonline.org. We're also in need of men's formalwear - light blue with ruffles? Bring it on!
More info coming soon.
Volunteer
How You Can Help
Volunteers are vital to the success of BEDS mission. Working in teams, Site Volunteers staff our shelters throughout the night and serve meals at dinner and breakfast. During the week, volunteer Cook Teams prepare and deliver delicious meals together. Working from home, Laundry Volunteers help by washing sheets and blankets at home. We also have administrative and fundraising roles to fill.
Our volunteers find deep personal fulfillment through service to the homeless. They form strong bonds as they cook together or watch over the sleeping during the quiet nighttime hours. Can you give a few hours a month to help someone in crisis?
Site Volunteers
Support Volunteers
Whatever your time, talent or interest, we have a volunteer role for you!
Site Volunteers give 2-4 hours per month of their time to staff our shelters during one of four shifts. Without these volunteers, we could not provide shelter!
Shift 1 - 6.30-11pm: Set up, check-in, dinner
Shift 2 - 11pm-3am: Oversight during sleep
Shift 3 - 3am-7am: Wake up, breakfast
Shift 4 - 5.30-7am: Breakfast, clean up
Volunteer Forms click here.
Volunteer Training Orientations
All prospective and new volunteers must attend an orientation. You'll learn how you can help and meet other amazing people with similar interests.
To reserve a seat, email Cody at umbach_bedsonline.org
or phone (708) 354-0858.
Donate
Your donation is vital to our success.
For over 22 years, BEDS PLUS has fulfilled its mission thanks to the financial gifts of people like you. In these tough times, every dollar makes a big difference. Choose an amount below or write in your own. Your online payment is secure and, as always, tax deductible!
A $50 gift can cover the cost of a hot breakfast for 40 people.
Label:$50
Price:50
A $100 gift helps us provide basic monthly supplies to all 7 of our shelters.
Label:$100
Price:100
A $250 gift enables BEDS to purchase new linens and blankets on a regular basis.
Label:$250
Price:250
A $500 gift can provide professional healthcare services for 25 people.
Label:$500
Price:500
A $1,000 gift supports our Moving Forward program that helps our clients find work each year!
Label:$1,000
Price:1000
Purchase this handmade ornament by Cathy Grandalski and support BEDS. Buy 2 - give 1 to a friend!
Label:$20
Price:20
Slide to view our suggested donations. If you'd like to donation an amount not shown here, please click here to do so now. Thank you!
Check Out
or
Give another amount.
Forms
New Volunteer Application
Forms to print,
complete and submit.
Please complete and return these forms to Cody Umbach, Operations Manager.
e: umbach_bedsonline.org
f: (708) 354-7518
Cook Team Volunteer Hours
Laundry Volunteer Hours
We update this calendar monthly. Please check back to print the latest schedule of sessions and topics.
Jan '10 Day Program
Providing overnight shelter, meals and essential services to the homeless men, women and children of west suburban Cook County since 1988.
You Make the Difference.
Resolve to give and you'll
marvel at what you'll get.
A new year, a new decade, a new
chance to discover the power of
sharing your gifts with those in
need. This year, the life you change
might be your own.
Click the heart to
see how your donation helps.
Together We Save Lives.
Click the heart to read about the homeless we serve, our dedicated volunteers and our partners in the community.
See our success stories.
Thank you to those
who donated to our
2009 AnnualAppeal!
© 2009-2010 BEDS PLUS, Inc. PO Box 2035, LaGrange, IL 60525 t: (708) 354 0858 e: info_bedsonline.org
