A place where they find people furniture when they need it most. In 2025 they had their first bed…read morerace and they created beds on wheels and encourage people in the community to dress them up and it was a lot of fun to see the races with people dressed up. What a nice way to raise money and get donations for a great cause. We came to donate and get the cute TS for $25 each and they had a raffle. They pick up unwanted furniture and donate to those who need it.

**Horrible Virtual Appointment Experience with Chicago Furniture Bank**…read more I had a virtual appointment today with Chicago Furniture Bank to select furniture. My agency paid $450 for the service. Although I appreciate any help being offered to families in need, my experience today was very disappointing. After the appointment, I told them to cancel the delivery. Now I feel really bad that my agency may still have to pay a $100 cancellation fee. In my opinion, that feels very unfair. I was told I was approved for a furniture package, meaning a living room set, dining room set, beds, dressers, rugs, lamps, and household items. But what I saw during the virtual appointment and what I was actually allowed to choose from did not feel like a real furniture package at all. The lady doing the virtual appointment came late, was going extremely fast, and had a very nasty attitude. I felt rushed the entire time. There were a few items I saw that I wanted to ask about, but I was afraid to ask because of her attitude. Even my social worker looked highly disappointed, although she did not say anything. Most of what I saw on the video was the worker's feet, the floor, and her walking fast through the building. She was moving so quickly that it was hard to really see the furniture or ask questions. The way she acted during the appointment was horrible, especially knowing agencies are also present during these virtual and in-person appointments with their clients. Why would workers behave that way in front of the very agencies who are paying you to help their clients? That makes no sense and is just plain unprofessional. Most of the furniture had stains, scratches, and looked worn out. The furniture I saw was mismatched, scratched, worn out, and some items looked very beat up. I understand the furniture and merchandise are donated, but people who need help should still be treated with respect. Just because the items are donated does not mean families should be treated rudely, rushed through the process, or given items that are too damaged to use comfortably. It also did not make sense to me that there were things I could see during the virtual appointment, but I was not allowed to choose them simply because I was doing the appointment virtually. I was told during the virtual appointment that I could only get household items if I came in person. I saw pots, pans, and other household products, but she walked right past them on the video. If families are doing virtual appointments, they should still be allowed to choose basic household items, especially when they have a large household. I have a large household with mostly teenagers who are taller and bigger than me, but I was only allowed to choose one full-size or queen-size bed. I was told I could only get one queen or full-size mattress and box spring, and the rest had to be twin beds. That does not make sense for older teenagers because kids nowadays are often taller and weigh more than their parents. Families should be allowed to explain what size beds they actually need. I also saw nice chairs and just a few better-looking items, but I was not allowed to choose the nicer ones. Some of the merchandise looked so damaged and worn that I turned some items down. Since I turned some items down, I feel I should have been allowed to choose something else to replace them. Instead, I ended up picking old dressers, a scratched table, no TV stand, and not the right mattress. Honestly, my agency paid $450 for this, and I feel like I could have done better on my own by searching Craigslist, OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, and local freebie groups. I have actually found like-new and even new living room sets, bedroom sets, and mattresses from sites like that before. A person could rent a truck for under $100 and pick up free furniture that is in way better condition. A lot of times, you can get new or like-new furniture for free or very cheap. The only problem is needing someone to pick it up and help move it. I would tell people to think carefully before using this service, especially if they are doing a virtual appointment. Compare your options first. There are free items online that may be in much better condition, and you may have more control over what you choose. The YouTube videos are misleading compared to what I experienced. Now I see why DCFS never wanted to refer me and my family here. They would rather pay thousands of dollars getting families new items than send them to a place where people are rushed, disrespected, and offered furniture that looks this worn out. All I can say is, if Chicago Furniture Bank does not change how they treat people and improve what they offer during virtual appointments, anyone who receives products from them may be very disappointed. I would discourage any agency from paying these high fees for their clients to receive terrible-looking furniture while being disrespected, mistreated, and rushed during a video appointment.

The donation boxes are very convenient and helpful when cleaning out the closet and downsizing,…read moregetting rid of unwanted clothes. Used to put then in bags in the alley for whoever wants and needs to take but oftentimes I find them all messed up, thrown on the ground which defeats my purpose. So off to the donation box it all goes. Wish there were more of the boxes around town. I'd rather drop it off at the box then drive to the Goodwill. Everyone complaining of it being sold etc it's the same thing the Goodwill.and Salvation Army does. But at least I don't have to drive far or wait in line when I'm in a time crunch in a busy week, and don't want to haul bags of stuff in my car for weeks until I am able to go to a Goodwill and don't have the time to list on ebay or marketplace but need closet space at the same time. I think what Gaia is doing is very good. At the end, someone does use the clothes, and they're not thrown around in the alley on the ground where nobody will want them. I could care less for a tax deduction because I'd always forget the slip when tax time comes and plus it don't make much difference anyway. Tried donating to shelters before only to learn that those who work there scavenger the donation and keep what they like/what's newer for themselves instead of giving everything to those at the shelter. If you want to give directly to the homeless then give it to them on the spot. But it's also hard to figure out if the pants size will fit them etc. So when I'm in a time crunch and need to clean out fast, don't want to haul bags of clothes waiting to go to Goodwill and making myself seem like I live in my car with random bags of clothes waiting to be donated, I just drop it off at the Gaia donation box. It's also helpful with the website that gives location of the boxes so if I'm traveling O can easily look up the nearest box. Honestly, think that everyone complaining about the concept of these donation boxes works for Goodwill or Salvation because then they don't get direct donations to sell at the store. Gaia boxes are convenient too being available 24/7 specially when working an odd schedule I can never make it to a Goodwill to drop off. At the end of the day, someone still makes use of the clothes, they don't end up in a landfill and maybe if I don't want to donate such clothes then I'll just not buy anything until my current wardrobe wears out. I don't make a penny from donating to Goodwill either, only the buyer gets to have new clothes, some brand new at a cheap price. But I don't have time for that so I just drop off at Gaia box. I also.like the little projects they have going on, fun stuff, and everything they do on local level at the warehouse to everything being done abroad in the developing countries, environmentally. Keep it up!

I donated clothes multiple times, then I read the charity watch review of this company and I was…read morenot very pleased with the outcome. Clothes is sold,not given to people. They have a big "over head" to run their business so there is really no money left to help others in need. I probably will not use again. Please check for yourselves and decide if you still want to continue using their bins. Gaia please change your practice, you could be a wonderful place to use.

Case Workers are ok, Operater is ok, just staff that are really really bad at their jobs. Just to…read morepreface, they threatened to put me out for drinking water and there's a rule that states you can't knock on black doors, so someone in need gets pushed aside and threatened. They threaten pretty much breathing so, if you want food and shelter and hate breathing, this is the shelter for you. Edit: they are pretty much run by incompletent staff, and they are about as useless as space matter on planet earth. Making threats and acting like no one else is allowed to make any decision. No bathroom, no water, no food after a certain time, it's run like prison.

I volunteer on Saturday at The Night Ministry stuffing stockings for the homeless. This Non-Profit…read moreOrganization is amazing. I look forward to coming out to volunteer again at this awesome organization. The team was very organize and prepared to make sure everything was running smoothly. The volunteers watched a mini video on what the organization is about and how they go out on the streets to make sure the homeless is well loved. I was impress on how much they express their dedication and compassion to the homeless. This is the type of organization I would come out and dedicate my time and support.

Staff treat us with disrespect. They hoard the toilet paper. They keep threatening to throw people…read moreout, which they do over the weekend. They don't serve a basic breakfast. And I got a infection on my foot from the shower is missing most of the tile in the shower and there's a dip that water stays.

The case managers that were there that actually did their jobs were Julie Thompson and Katie…read more(forgot her last name). It appears that Julie has retired as of 2021 and Katie left in 2016. The original shelter space and the shelter/drop in space on Sedgwick are both nice.

I've volunteered with Cradles to Crayons several times already by myself and with my kids. Their…read moremission and goals are clear and evident. They are extremely organized and can take large group of volunteers but also work with smaller ones. I highly recommend coming here as part of a group from work or even with your family especially if you have never volunteered before.

I've volunteered for countless field trips for my 3 kids over the years and Cradles to Crayons is…read moremy personal favorites. My son's class came here to help sort thru the many many bags of donations they receive. I thought the staff at Cradles to Crayons did an amazing job explaining to a group of 3rd graders how this was an opportunity to help those less fortunate and love that they also got to help with the process. We spent a few hours sorting thru piles of clothing and dividing them into different categories (winter coats, girls short sleeve shirts, skirts to name a few). The kids had a lot of fun and even got a few chuckles when they came across things like bras and thongs, which were thrown in the "recycle bin." After a few hours of work they took a tour of the amazing facility, ate lunch and the Cradles to Crayon staff wrapped it up by praising them on their hard work! My son mentioned it was a super fun day and I think he enjoyed it more than the other field trips we've taken this year (ex: Chicago History Museum). I've now been here 3 times for field trips with my kids and each time I make a note that I need to come separately of school. This time I'm determined to make the time to donate my time to this amazing organization and great excuse to clean out my closets ahead of time to make a donation!

I like their intentions to help people in need and I like the interactions I've had with them…read more They are my number one choice for charities. I have donated many coats and bags of clothing and I do employee match of monetary donations. I feel the provide a quality service that adds value to people's lives and the community, in general.

You can get homeowners and a bed to lay in "bunks". Theres oatmeal for breakfast and other foods…read more You gotta wake up early and be out the door looking for a job. UPS or FedEx is close by and you can get a job there and sleep at the shelter. You can bring luggage but it will have to be checked in. Not everyone there is showered so it can stink at times. It one of the only resources for free at your disposal if your homeless.

I'm writing this review on behalf of a Black woman I've been supporting through her housing crisis…read more What she experienced at Sarah's Circle is absolutely unacceptable, and as a white woman and advocate, I am disgusted and furious. This woman--my mentee who I've been working with--shared her experience with me, and I am alarmed and heartbroken. She walked over an hour in freezing temperatures seeking help during one of the most vulnerable moments of her life. Instead of receiving trauma-informed care, she was met with hostility, aggression, and what can only be described as racist behavior from your staff. She was yelled at, accused of being "argumentative" for simply asking questions, told she was "making the space unsafe" for self-advocating, and ultimately turned away after walking two hours round trip in the cold. Your staff refused to provide their names, made accusations about her recording them when she wasn't, and criminalized her for having legitimate safety and privacy concerns about intake procedures. As a white woman working in advocacy, I am telling you: DO BETTER. Women of color--particularly Black women--are already disproportionately affected by housing insecurity, systemic racism, and barriers to services. The LAST thing they need is to be treated with suspicion, aggression, and disrespect when seeking help. Your staff's behavior was inexcusable, and their complete lack of trauma-informed practice is dangerous. I will NEVER refer another client to Sarah's Circle. I will be actively discouraging other advocates, social workers, and community partners from doing so as well. Your organization claims to "help" vulnerable women, but you turned away someone who desperately needed support and made her feel criminalized for existing while Black. Your staff need immediate and extensive training on anti-racism, trauma-informed care, and basic human decency. This is disgraceful. Absolutely disgraceful.

Great place they really try and help you great place to be if you have nobody in your cornerread more

The person answering the phone is rude, doesn't explain the program and has an attitude when…read moreanswering basic questions. She's the first person people meet regarding the program so you'll think it'll be a positive experience at least but it was one of the worse phone call experiences I've had. Horrible customer service. I'm calling in regards for someone because I need help and the attitude wasn't welcoming.

With regard to donations please keep in mind that almost all charities bombard potential or…read moreactual donors with tons and tons of solicitations on a reGular basis.. This is not peculiar to Mercy Home. I have found Mercy Home on Charityr Navigator where it is cited as worthy of donations.