Fortitude exists to ease the burden of poverty and homelessness. It began in January, 2017 as a homeless street outreach, providing needed items while building relationships within the homeless community. Within these trusted relationships, we are able to help connect them to local resources in efforts to move them into permanent housing and/or more sustainable living situations.
Street Outreach
Fortitude’s original program, the street outreach is designed to meet physical, social, and spiritual needs of the needy and homeless. Teams of volunteers (and anyone 12 or older is welcome to volunteer!) bring items to locations in downtown Kankakee on Thursday nights. There, volunteers pass out needed items and food while also socializing with our guests. For many, our interaction with them is one of the few times they are welcomed by name, treated with respect, and given caring human touch. These outreach interactions are the “first contacts” with individuals, with many relationships leading to connections with other agencies and services that can move them out of desperate situations.
shelter
Fortitude has been providing an overnight, emergency shelter for the homeless.
Due to issues beyond our control, the overnight shelter is temporarily on pause after May 1, 2023.
Fortitude is currently working on opening a day service location.
