ENGLEWOOD SHELTER BRINGS HOPE AND HELP TO RESIDENTS


ENGLEWOOD SHELTER BRINGS HOPE AND HELP TO RESIDENTS

By Christopher Shuttlesworth

The Institute of Women Today, now known as Margaret’s Village, was established in 1974 by founder Sister Margaret’s Traxler to help fight for women’s liberation and against unjust acts inside the

prison system.

With the evolution of the movement, Traxler and the women built multiple shelters for women and their families across Chicago. One in particular, called Maria Shelter, opened in 1989 at 7320 S. Yale

Avenue.

Angela Hicks, director of Margaret’s Village, said Maria Shelter is a case management driven program that houses 50 beds for women and children who have fallen on rough economic times.

“They just aren’t making enough money to make ends meet and take care of their family,” Hicks said.

“I think it’s [important] to support agencies like ours because we never know when we are going to be in that position ourselves. We never know what the future holds.”

Hicks, who has worked in the field for 16 years, said she has come across people on all levels of education, people who have

struggled with addictions and families just looking for a fresh

start.

“We’re not a domestic violence shelter, but I have women who are survivors of domestic violence,” Hicks said. “We’re not a recovery home, but I have dads, moms who are at various stages at conquering their addiction. We’re not a halfway house, but I will

take people who are coming out of prison just to rebuild their lives.”

Theresa Hughes, a resident of Englewood said, she and her

daughter decided to donate their time to Maria Shelter during the

holiday season and hope to honor Black History Month by taking a

trip with some of the families to the DuSable Museum in February.

“They’re doing a great job in our community and they’re servicing our people and giving back to Englewood,” Hughes said.

“But the shelter still needs more help.”

The city of Chicago funds Margaret’s Village and provides

$30,000 annually and the shelter stays afloat with their own

fundraisers throughout the year.

But Hicks said while Maria Shelter remains a staple in the

Englewood community, more awareness of the shelter should be

brought to light by politicians and city activists.

Hicks said Margaret’s Village will continue to honor Traxler

and the women before them with progressing the movement by

taking in more men to show that no one is excluded.

“I think it’s a courageous step for anyone to make the decision to go to a shelter to try and rebuild their lives,” Hicks said. “I think it’s even more courageous for those who support these families that they don’t know by donating to shelters to give them another

chance.”

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