PADS History: Our Growth Over the Years

2004 - Humble Beginnings: In 2004, Grundy Area PADS was founded by a group of compassionate citizens with a simple mission: offering meals to members of our community in need.

2008 - Expanding Our Reach: In November 2008, Grundy Area PADS took a significant step forward. We expanded our services to provide overnight, seasonal shelter to community members facing homelessness. Initially, five churches generously hosted our overnight shelter. Over the years, many more local churches joined our cause, contributing volunteers and invaluable support.

2008 to 2020 - Community Unity: During these years, our seasonal shelters thrived thanks to the dedication of over 220 volunteers. Together, we provided a safe haven for those in need, offering warmth and support throughout the shelter season.

2017 - A New Opportunity: In June 2017, Grundy Area PADS was approached by the Continuum of Care for Will, Kendall, and Grundy Counties to apply for a Rapid Rehousing Grant from HUD. This was a significant expansion of our services, and enabled us to offer housing solutions and a path to self-sufficiency for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. Funds for this program were received in summer 2018, which allowed us to hire our first employee. By August of 2018, our first clients were placed in local apartments thanks to the collaboration of forward-thinking local landlords.

Phoenix Rising's Success: Our dedicated Rapid Rehousing Directors have been providing essential guidance and support to clients, helping them achieve self-sufficiency and housing stability. Since its inception, Phoenix Rising has successfully placed over 80 individuals in local apartments, with more than 75% of those placed completing the program and securing stable housing.

2020 - Navigating Challenges: The year 2020 presented unforeseen challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world. For the safety of our guests and volunteers, we had to close our seasonal shelters in March 2020. We arranged for our shelter guests to stay in a local motel where they could remain safe and practice social distancing to minimize COVID-19 exposure. This remains our current method for seasonal shelter.

2023 - Extending Our Reach: Building on the success of Phoenix Rising in Grundy County, we have expanded our Rapid Rehousing program to assist community members in Kendall County who are experiencing homelessness. This program is in its early stages, as we partner with Kendall County landlords and organizations to provide the necessary services for our clients to achieve self-sufficiency and housing stability. As of January 2024, we have housed 9 individuals in this program.

At Grundy Area PADS, we are committed to supporting our community and providing essential services to those in need. Our journey continues, and together, we strive to make a lasting impact.