Break the Cycle of Homelessness and Poverty
A nonprofit crowdfunding support for those who need it most.
How does it work?
Caseworkers offer the professional support and resources to help participants experiencing homelessness or poverty find stability in their lives. Unfortunately, the relationship between caseworkers and participants can be strained by a variety of factors. Too often the struggle for food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities gets in the way of real progress. That's where we come in. We crowdfund donations for everyday necessities so that caseworkers and their participants can focus on housing, healthcare, employment, and ultimately achieving stability.
1.
A social services caseworker signs up their participant to receive donations through the Simply Empowered site
2.
Generous people (like you) donate money to the participant profiled on the Simply Empowered site
3.
The caseworker and participant together purchases products or services to help meet the participant's immediate needs, and work toward achieving the participant's goals
The Value of Casework
Caseworkers at established organizations provide ongoing professional support for people experiencing homelessness or poverty, which opens doors to housing, jobs, and medical treatment.
That’s why 100% of Simply Empowered participants are seeing a caseworker.
FAQs
Q: IS MY DONATION TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Yes! We are registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit, so your donation to your homeless neighbors is tax deductible.
Q: HOW DOES IT WORK?
Caseworkers with social service organizations add their participants to the Simply Empowered platform and generous people donate with confidence, knowing that they are contributing to a person’s journey out of homelessness or poverty. Finally, caseworkers work with their participants to purchase needed products and services. This process ultimately strengthens the relationship between the caseworker and participant while creating an incentive to continue on the path to stability.
Q: WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE DONATIONS?
Anyone meeting with a caseworker at an approved social services organization can be signed up on the platform.
Q: HOW WILL THE DONATION BE USED?
Participants work directly with their caseworker to purchase goods and services that satisfy their most pressing needs. This includes things like food, clothing, transportation, mobile phone, and anything that the participant needs to meet their immediate needs and progress toward their goals (e.g. employment).
Q: CAN PEOPLE USE MY DONATION FOR ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, DRUGS, ETC.?
No. Your donation will be administered by the caseworker on the participant’s behalf to ensure the funds are used for the participant’s basic needs and to help them progress toward their goals.
Q: CAN I PARTICIPATE IF I DO NOT LIVE IN CHICAGO?
Absolutely. There are a variety of ways to get involved. Feel free to donate to any participant you see on this site, or to a general pool for caseworkers to address the most urgent needs of their participants. You can also make a donation to Simply Empowered and help support our growth.