Evangeline Booth Lodge

Evangeline Booth Lodge began operation in 1922. Currently, the lodge is located at 800 W. Lawrence Ave in Chicago’s Uptown Community. Previously a Holiday Day Inn, the Brandecker family purchased the building as a gift for the Salvation Army. As a former hotel, the space allows the shelter to operate with 64 separate housing units, including bathrooms, for intact families. Booth Lodge services over 190 families each year. Booth Lodge offers interim housing to homeless families up to 270 days. The Lodge is open 365 days of the year, 24 hours/7 days a week. Families are provided case management services that focus on assisting families with obtaining financial stability and permanent housing. Families are expected to save 80 percent of their income while living at the Lodge to develop funds for when they move out. Case Managers help the family design and manage a budget. Gradually, families begin to help pay for small necessities, such as laundry. The lodge provides three free meals every day.