Respond Now is a wraparound social service agency that serves 22 communities in south suburban Cook County and northeastern Will County. The mission of Respond Now is to enhance the quality of life for community members through health, hunger, and housing services. As a result of COVID-19, Respond Now has increased services to clients by accepting rolling referrals for re-entry programming, with over 300 households in case management for public benefits.
Respond Now provides education and outreach through the expansion of wraparound social services to target populations. Target populations include those who are homeless and those at risk of homelessness. Both populations are comprised primarily of low-income African Americans and Latinx people, many of whom are living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The homeless community includes those who are chronically homeless as well as those who are newly homeless due to COVID-19. Those at risk of homelessness, include those who are doubled-up, living in subsidized housing, living lease to lease, and/or in continued threat of homelessness.
