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SAN JOSE OBRERO MISSION

Founded as an emergency shelter in 1981 by Fr. David Staszak as a response to homeless people coming to the church rectory asking for a place to sleep. For over thirty years San Jose Obrero Mission (SJOM) has provided a safe suitable place to live and the opportunity for individuals to make a better life for themselves. Today SJOM continues to grow and adapt its services and mission to support the changing needs of the homeless population.

In 1999 San Jose Obrero Mission shifted its direction from an emergency shelter to a service oriented transitional residential program. Following the Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness’ Strategic Plan, Getting Housed, Staying Housed in 2003 the direction of the shelter changed again when it became a full interim housing program. From 2005 to 2009 SJOM operated as interim housing solely for homeless men, serving 40 at any one time. Because of its proven track record and comprehensive services, the City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) recognizes it as a model program for other homeless agencies. Therefore, in January 2010 as requested by the City, SJOM expanded to include an 80-bed interim house for women and children and 130-bed emergency shelter for men, both located in Little Village.

Under the direction of Israel Vargas, San Jose Obrero Mission's current Executive Director, SJOM currently serves 40 men and 50 women and children at its two locations. The men's facility is located in Chicago's Pilsen area, and the women and children's facility is located in the Little Village area of Chicago. The Women's Shelter also provides a safe haven for victim's of domestic violence. SJOM works within the City of Chicago's plan to end homelessness, providing 24-hour living accommodations and an individualized programs and services through their Men in Crisis and Families in Crisis programs. The Mission offers a 120 day rigorous transitional program, that requires participants to actively look for employment on a daily basis, attend weekly in house classes and workshops, and also take continuing education class. Attending weekly case management meetings, employment training, financial literacy and life skills training are another program requisite. Participants are not allowed to stay in the program if they are not meeting the requirements. Tools and resources such as job leads, educational resources, child care, health services, counseling, and transportation are provided to participants.

Israel Vargas became the Executive Director in 2008. His undying devotion and fight for the homeless drives him to continually strive to expand and change the SJOM's programs to adapt to the needs of those his facilities serve. In 2013 the program expanded to serve homeless youth, 18 to 24, and in the months ahead provide up to seven permanent supportive Housing units to homeless families with disable female head of household.