Our Mission
Who is PADS
Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) of Elgin is a 501C(3) non-profit organization that provides safe shelter, support services, and advocacy to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Elgin Township, Hanover Township, Dundee Township, and Rutland Township.
PADS Mission Statement
To respectfully and compassionately empower persons and families who are in need of housing to become self-sustaining by providing shelter, needed services and professional guidance.
Our History
Lonnie, a man experiencing homelessness, knocks on the door of First Congregational Church in Elgin looking for a safe place to stay at night that wasn’t on the streets. Community religious leaders meet and officially open the doors of Elgin’s first PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter), whose mission addressed the rising numbers of individuals experiencing homelessness in Elgin, Northern Kane County and Hanover Township.
PADS becomes a recognized 501(c)3 organization. Early this year a record number of 91 guests occupy the shelter in a single night.
PADS leaves the Salvation Army and returns to being housed by community churches.
The shelter is hosted by one church per month and moves all of its supplies including mats, laundry, and even a refrigerator between different sites.
PADS officially opens the Douglas L. Hoeft Resource Facility at 1730-1736 Berkley Street in Elgin, Illinois. The center is named in memory of Representative Doug Hoeft, who acquired a State Member Initiative Grant to help PADS build a permanent facility.
PADS Celebrates its 20th season of serving Elgin and provides over 14,000 nights of shelter.
PADS of Elgin celebrates its 25th anniversary of serving the Elgin community.
Despite a global pandemic, PADS was able to guide 47% of our guests in finding permanent housing in the fiscal year.
PADS of Elgin officially opened its day program. Guests now have 24/7 access to the shelter 365 days a year.
Board of Directors
Steve Kroiss
President
Cathy LeBlanc
Vice-President
Treasurer
Sue Welu
Secretary
Kristal Thompson
Member
Debbie McGuire
Member
Dr. Doug Kramp
Member
Beth Kruger
Member
Rita Corbett
Member
Tia Aagesen
Member
Pastor Katie Shaw-Thompson
Member
PADS of Elgin Staff
Carrie Schneider
Operations Manager
cschneider@padsofelgin.org
Jen Keller
Development Manager
jkeller@padsofelgin.org
Catie Early
Development Assistant
cearly@padsofelgin.org
Angie DeLeon
Volunteer Manager
adeleon@padsofelgin.org
Shelby Van Hees
Case Manager Supervisor
svanhees@padsofelgin.org
Kiyo Ascencio
Bilingual Case Manager
kascensio@padsofelgin.org
Matthias Miller
Case Manager
mmiller@padsofelgin.org
General Inquiries
Annual Reports
Past Events
