The Guest House Provides A Welcoming Environment For People With Medical Needs

Art Sims is the Community Outreach Manager at the Guest House. Photo provided by Joy Communications.
Art Sims is the Community Outreach Manager at the Guest House. Photo provided by Joy Communications.

The Guest House Provides A Welcoming Environment For People With Medical Needs

By Tia Carol Jones

Art “Chat Daddy” Sims made a name for himself in media. He became a household name, doing radio, television and writing for newspapers, not just in Chicago, but across the world. During the pandemic, Sims’ radio show ended and he was looking for his next chapter. Dionne Nicole Smith, Director of Development at the Guest House, told him that she thought he would be a great addition to the Guest House staff. He visited and fell in love with the Guest House.

“Now, more than ever I want people to know, don’t be afraid to try something new. Get out there and volunteer, do what is necessary and things can turn around for you too,” said Sims who is a self-described humanitarian who loves people.

Sims is now the Community Outreach Manager at the Guest House and is part of its executive team. It was founded in 1999 by Jane Reich. Its mission is to build community and healing by providing comfortable, affordable accommodations for patients and their families during their treatment. It has 34 fully furnished – one, two and three-bedroom apartments for medical patients, 20 fully furnished apartments for Rush Road Home participants.

The base rate is $72 a night for a one bedroom; $100 for a two-bedroom; and $150 for a three-bedroom. The length of stay is determined by a person’s medical need and does not have a minimum stay requirement. People must be referred by one of the Guest House’s partners. Those partner hospitals include Rush, UI Health, Cook County Health, Northwestern Medicine and UChicago Medicine. The Guest House also collaborates with the American Cancer Society and the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network.

The Guest House will host its annual fundraiser, The House Always Wins, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Monday, April 27th, at Carnivale Restaurant, located at 702 W. Fulton St. Tickets start at $200. The proceeds for the event go towards supporting the medical patients and Military veterans who utilize the Guest House. Sims said that with the donors and sponsors, the Guest House is able to go as low as $20 a night for people to stay there. He said that the goal is for there not to be a financial burden for the people staying at the Guest House.

“We have amazing people who donate, people who volunteer, people who give to us all the time,” he said. He said that people who come to the event can enjoy Latin cuisine, Samba music and play casino-style games to win prizes. He said the most important thing is that people will be able to help people who need help the most.


For more information about the Guest House, visit www.guesthousechicago.org, or call 312- 996-1167.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

Things That You Should Know That Your Agent Knows...