CN To Donate $750,000 To Homewood, Chicago Heights Orgs That Fight Homelessness

HOMEWOOD, IL — CN Railroad will donate $750,000 over three years to support three local organizations that help individuals and families currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness, the company said.

The donation will support three local organizations; Anew: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse, Respond Now, and South Suburban PADS (SSPADS) to expand programs and services that deliver both immediate relief and long-term stability for individuals and families at risk of homelessness, CN said in a release.

Each organization will receive a grant of $250,000 USD to help their clients remain safely housed, access critical resources, and avoid relying on overcrowded emergency shelters.

Together, these initiatives are expected to reach hundreds of individuals and families across the region who are at risk of losing access to safe and stable housing.

The company announced the donation earlier this month, noting they are part of CN’s broader commitment, through its Railroaders for Change initiative, to support the safety and well-being of its neighbors, particularly those at risk of homelessness.

"Safety is at the heart of everything we do at CN, and that commitment must extend beyond our tracks and into the communities where we operate," said Buck Rogers, vice president, petroleum and chemicals, CN. "We are proud to support trusted community partners with investments that help prevent homelessness and connect more people to a safe place to call home."

For more than 45 years, Homewood-based Anew: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse has provided comprehensive, coordinated services to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence. Through a survivor-centered approach, Anew helps families achieve safety, escape homelessness, and secure stable, permanent housing. The organization believes everyone deserves to live a life free from abuse and the right to a safe home.

"Anew: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse is grateful to CN Railroad for their investment and commitment to addressing homelessness in the southland," said Kristine Scott, CEO of Anew: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse.

"This partnership will be a stabilizing force—helping families not just survive domestic violence, but avoid homelessness and build lives of safety, dignity, and independence."

Since 1969, Respond Now has provided Health, Hunger, and Housing services to 22 communities in Chicago’s south suburbs. Located in Chicago Heights, its mission is to provide immediate, compassionate, and effective assistance to individuals and families in crisis, helping them stabilize and build toward long-term self-sufficiency. The organization operates as a comprehensive hub for basic human needs and stabilization services, serving more than 20,000 individuals annually with Homelessness Prevention Services, Food Pantry, SNAP Outreach, Shelter, Supportive Housing, and a myriad of other programs.

"Month after month, data shows that the lion's share of requests for Homelessness Prevention assistance in Suburban Cook County originates in the south suburbs," said Carl Wolf, executive director of Respond Now. "The need is great. CN's support for homelessness prevention programming will have a direct and immediate impact on our communities and will ensure that Respond Now is able to provide this important service, preventing families from becoming homeless."

South Suburban PADS is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with a mission to prevent and end homelessness in the south suburbs of Chicago. Over the past 35 years, the organization has provided 730,540 nights of shelter and 2.1 million meals to enable 20,659 people to overcome homelessness. In addition, SSPADS provides affordable housing opportunities to over 400 people per year. SSPADS is the proud recipient of a 2024 Award from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving Open Call, 2019 Good Neighbor Award from the National Association of REALTORS, and the 2018 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Award. More here.

"South Suburban PADS is grateful for CN’s support," said Gyata Kimmons, board president, South Suburban PADS.

"This grant will enable us to expand our Shelter Diversion program to help over 500 households per year to access emergency resources and alternative housing arrangements to avoid entry into the emergency shelter system.

"Ultimately, you are helping families as they work to overcome homelessness and achieve better health and economic stability."