Filling the Gap - NFP

What are your goals? Where do you imagine yourself in five years?! Usually these questions are asked in light of your career or financial goals, but what about interpersonal goals, mental-emotional goals? What kind of person do you hope to be years down the road, and how have you helped others and made the world a better place? When Filling the Gap looks to answer those questions, it begins here:

Join us for a special dinner at Bartolini's restaurant to support Filling the Gap's housing programs for World Homeless Day on October 10th at 4:00 PM. Bring your loved ones and make a difference in the lives of those in need. Link below for more details and to RSVP. #FillingtheGap #WorldHomelessDay #SupportHousingPrograms #MakeADifference #DinnerForACause https://lnkd.in/ggQ5CgbT

Homelessness is an incredibly stressful circumstance in which to live. Individuals experiencing homelessness are less likely to receive regular or any care from a doctor, much less mental health professions. Despite the need, only 24.8% report needing/receiving such care. Filling the Gap provides a safe and dignified place where our residents are encouraged to seek therapy in achieving their mental-emotional goals. Alongside our mentors, our residents know they have trusting relationships to lean on as they recover & thrive.

"I applied to so many housing facilities once I completed my recovery program with no luck. I would pray every night for a place to call my own." - Former Sycamore House Resident This is the story for many ex-offenders trying to find housing. Often, they face massive obstacles to securing housing due to credit scores, background checks, and their current financial situation. That is where the Sycamore House comes in! This residence primarily serves non-violent ex-offenders that have graduated from substance-abuse recovery programs. When you partner with FTG, you provide our residents with a safe place to call home, support as they set and accomplish new personal, spiritual, and financial goals, and the hope of a second chance.

Mike & Jen Fitzgerald started Filling the Gap five years ago! Leading to five years of second chances, life change, and numerous nights of dignified housing for our residents. If you're curious how it all began, take a moment to read this message from Mike on the prompting and journey towards where we are today: During a mission trip with Urban Plunge, our trip leader read Matthew 25:34-40. The part that struck me the most was: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." That was my "lightbulb moment". I realized that everyone is equal in God's eyes and that this trip was meant to change my heart. After returning home, I started noticing the people I had previously overlooked on the streets. Inspired by the gospel, I began talking to people asking for money near my workplace. I asked their names and listened to their stories. In their eyes, I saw Jesus and felt compelled to help. I learned a lot in a few months. I discovered that while many agencies provide basic needs, some people choose to remain on the streets. For those wanting to leave, it can be an enormous challenge. One example is a homeless couple I met who found themselves suddenly on the streets during winter. Each day, they struggled to stay warm, find food, and gather enough money for a hotel room to stay together. We eventually found an agency willing to help with rental assistance, but finding a place for them to live was incredibly difficult. We realized that for people with a felony record, no credit history, and no rental history, housing options were non-existent. I wondered how it would feel trying to rebuild my life without a stable place to sleep. It felt hopeless. Despite their faith in God, my friends were defeated. This is where the idea for Filling the Gap began. I knew something had to be done. My new friends had made mistakes, but who hasn't? Did that make them unworthy of a second chance? I believe our God is the God of second chances. He led me to my new friends, and maybe, just maybe, He would lead more people my way so we could "fill the gap."

One of our residents got baptized over the weekend! We are so excited to see what God has in store for her next in her faith journey, and we are thankful to be part of this special moment with her. #madenew #spiritualformation #baptism #fillingthegap

Our housing program is a critical component of the homeless to homeowner continuum. Housing is a foundational necessity for anyone and everyone. The availability and accessibility of affordable housing for individuals recovering from addiction and/or former incarceration is extremely limited. What started as a nudge from God to serve the most vulnerable, allowed us to change the trajectory of six adults’ and two children's’ lives through dignified housing and fellowship. This may of been our calling, but we cannot do it without you! 🤝 Make an impact today by donating to our mission on our website: https://lnkd.in/dsQdEKfh Or via Venmo (NEW!): @FTG2018 📢 Share and talk about our mission with your friends and family. ❤️ Practice compassion and empathy toward your fellow humans. We are at record numbers of unhoused individuals in many parts of our country. You may have someone in your life living in these circumstances and not even know it. #HousingIsARight #RecoveryRequiresResources #SecondChances #TransitionalHousing #HousingProgram #EquitableHousing #CommunityBuilding #CookCountyHousing #PathToPermanentHousing #HomelessToHomeowner

Taking a moment to say a huge THANK YOU to the Presenting Sponsors of our 2nd Annual Golf Outing that took place on August 16. Payroc, thank you for helping to make our work possible! Please join us in our gratitude for all these wonderful organizations committed to providing dignified and transformative housing to those in need of a second chance. #GolfOuting #2024FTGGolfOuting #CharitableCauses #Nonprofit #FillingTheGap #HousingAccessibility #TransitionalHousing

Taking a moment to say a huge THANK YOU to the Presenting Sponsors of our 2nd Annual Golf Outing that took place on August 16. Michuda Construction, thank you for helping to make our work possible! Please join us in our gratitude for all these wonderful organizations committed to providing dignified and transformative housing to those in need of a second chance. #GolfOuting #2024FTGGolfOuting #CharitableCauses #Nonprofit #FillingTheGap #HousingAccessibility #TransitionalHousing

Thank you to everyone that followed us here on LinkedIn. Maybe you are familiar, and maybe not, so we wanted to share a bit more about ourselves with all of you. Our mission is to provide dignified and transformative housing to individuals rebuilding their lives after addiction, incarceration, and/or homelessness. This five minute video from earlier this year highlights our work over the last five years as an organization. We all can make a difference, and we wanted you to know how Filling the Gap is making ours: https://lnkd.in/gp6cwWqs #SecondChances #TransitionalHousing #RecoveryRequiresResources #Mentorship #Fellowship #FillingTheGap #GetInvolved #Nonprofit #CommunityBuilding