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November 2022 Dax Chicago Newsletter
This November, we are grateful for the generous donors who made the opening of Cecilia House possible. During this time of giving thanks, a couple Chicago Dax students were asked about what they are grateful for.

One student said, "I am grateful for God, my family, & the Dax program. I am thankful for the Dax Program because it has helped me tremendously by providing stability and support through housing. Also, for the opportunities Dax provides in order to excel & grow within not only school but the community too!"

Another student said, "All the special people in my life - especially my family and friends and anyone close to me. I am just very thankful that they will always be in my corner, no matter what."
Cecilia House Open House
The Grand Opening
While Cecilia House has housed students since August, Depaul USA invited donors & friends of the program for a grand opening in early November. We were so excited to open the doors to Emily and John Chen, the generous donors who donated the Cecilia House building itself; and Jessica Sarowitz, whose generosity made the building renovations possible this summer.

As college homelessness continues to grow in our country, it was so hopeful to see so many people invested in helping our Dax students succeed. We appreciate you!
Tours followed the brief program and guests were encouraged to walk through the apartments to see the different room layouts, as well as learn more about the Dax Program.
Other attendees included various faculty & staff from DePaul University and City Colleges of Chicago, as well as members of the Salt Creek Quilters Guild.
City College of Chicago Chancellor and DePaul University President each spoke eloquently about the deep need for college housing so students can ultimately stay in school and invest in their futures.
Meet Amber!
DePaul senior Amber Duncan said she doesn’t think she would be on the track to graduating if she didn’t have the support of the Dax Program. In fact, Duncan is finishing up her last few credits remotely, and has moved on from the Dax Program this school year. She pays rent on an apartment with the money she was able to save in the last year, when she was a Midway House resident. 

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Duncan had to move to Texas. When the school year started up again, she knew she needed to be in Chicago to attend DePaul and finish her degree. After conversations with the Dean of Students office, she was directed to Dax. She said the move to the Midway Dax House felt “like a natural move.” Besides housing, she said the program directed her to other resources throughout the city, like help purchasing a laptop.

After graduation from DePaul, Amber plans to enroll in nursing school, she dreams of being a nurse in emergency health or geriatrics. She imagines herself as a nurse in California, where she finds things to be more accessible. For now, Duncan has a full time job and is grateful for the opportunity Dax Chicago provided her in the last year.

While Duncan continues to see the effects of the Dax Program in her life, she said she has realized that “you are not just alone,” in your educational journey. 

“It was a huge step to really be an adult,” she adds.
Your Donation Matters!
Fundraising is a way to meet our goal of ending homelessness in our eight cities.

In Chicago, your donation directly benefits our Dax students at our Ukrainian Village House & Cecilia House.

And, here's how far your donation goes:

$25 - Cleaning kit for weekly chores 
$50 - Rented Chemistry textbook 
$100 - Monthly Aldi gift card for student
$150 - Mattress
$200 - Wellness Programming for one month
If you would rather make a physical donation for Dax students, check out our Amazon list here:
Depaul USA | sarah.lipo@depaulusa.org | https://depaulusa.org/programs/chicago/