The mission of Deborah’s Place is to break the cycle of homelessness for women in Chicago. Since opening in 1985, Deborah’s Place has served more than 3,000 women.
The agency manages five housing programs across three properties. Rebecca Johnson Apartments (pictured) is a 
five-story historic building, previously a settlement house redeveloped in 2000 into a supportive housing project. The building has 90 studio apartments as well as lounges, a Learning Center, work out facilities and the organization’s administrative offices. CSH highlights the eviction prevention strategies developed and implemented by the agency in the Supportive Housing Institute curriculum.
In 2011, Deborah’s Place received the Illinois Dimension of Quality Award in Supportive Services for their exemplar work in comprehensive and holistic service delivery. The agency employs a full time art therapist and a health services coordinator to support their comprehensive services.
A key component of the innovative services provided include the Learning Centers. The Learning Centers provide a space for women to explore their skills, abilities, and interests in a supportive environment. Women attend humanities courses such as philosophy, literature, art history, US history, music and film study. In addition, the Learning Centers offer art and craft supplies, a lending library, computers and internet access, and individual tutoring.
view a project tour featuring deborah’s place
