MISSION MOMENT IN-DEPTH FEATURE
For many of the McGaw YMCA residents, the Men’s Residence program in the Y’s historic building isn’t just a place to live – it is truly home.
The Men’s Residence program at McGaw has offered a supportive housing community for men in the heart of Evanston for more than six decades. This sense of community and around-the-clock support provided by McGaw Y residence staff has been essential throughout the COVID-19 pandemic when residents in the program have faced feelings of isolation, wellbeing concerns, and economic insecurity.
A History of YMCA Housing in Evanston
The story of the YMCA’s role in providing housing solutions in Evanston began in 1898 at the Evanston YMCA, now McGaw YMCA, which was started at a location on Orrington Avenue. The Evanston Y branch was open to white men and boys and offered short-term housing options for white men. In 1930, the branch moved to McGaw’s current location at 1000 Grove Street where the residence program grew to include more rooms and long-term stay options, and eventually, case management and supportive services.
Housing options for Black men were provided at the Emerson Street Branch Y, which was was established in Evanston’s 5th Ward in 1909. In addition to being a beloved hub for social and civic life for Black Evanstonians, the Emerson Street Y was the only location for short-term stays for Black men visiting in Evanston. By 1929, the Emerson Y expanded its housing program to include 19 dorm rooms for Black men who were students at Northwestern University.
In 1963, the Grove Street YMCA integrated its facilities, and its residence program was expanded to include men of all racial identities following desegregation and the eventual closure of the Emerson Street Y in 1969.
Building a Community
Today, the Men’s Residence program at McGaw YMCA offers accommodations and wrap-around services for men seeking both long- and short-term stays. With 172 single occupancy rooms, the Men’s Residence Program serves an average of 200 residents in a normal year. This unique program addresses the housing and individual needs of men from many backgrounds who, for various reasons, are seeking housing options in a supportive community.
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Men’s Residence stopped its short-term rentals and some men have left to live with family or found other housing options. Currently, 150 men call the Residence home and McGaw staff hope the program will be able to return to full occupancy again in 2021.
Housing fees are billed weekly and average monthly rate is $600. In addition to their room, resident members get full use of the facility and program services that support housing stability. McGaw Y Residence program staff play a frontline role in uplifting and engaging residents safely and within their comfort zones, and partner with residents to create opportunities for building connections. From gathering for meals during holidays, cooking for one another in the modern and shared chef’s kitchen space, and mentoring each other – men in the Y’s residence program engage with each other like family.
According to Roland Fouché, Senior Director of Residence/Housing, McGaw Y staff try to help residents engage as much as possible with each other in ways that are authentic within their comfort zones. This can be anywhere from utilizing the McGaw fitness facilities, engagement in the Mosaic Lounge, a socially-distanced residence common space, or attending classes put on by McGaw on topics such as financial literacy and education.
As part of its wrap-around services, the McGaw YMCA’s Residence Program focuses on three main touchpoints: housing, wellbeing support, and employment services. This includes support for housing – both within the residence program and outside of McGaw, referrals for healthcare and holistic wellbeing support, and support in helping residents find and keep employment in the community.
McGaw staff help connect younger men in residence with one another to discuss and encourage each other’s education and work plans. For older residents, staff focus on wellbeing supports, aging in place, and finding permanent housing options in the Evanston community, including for those that meets their specific needs if assisted living or another arrangement is a requirement in their situation.
For resident Antoine Williams, the employment services provided through the residence program led to him securing a full–time position at McGaw as a member relations employee.
In addition to living and working at the YMCA, Williams noted that the McGaw residence staff has done a good job of creating safe space for everyone.
“Especially now with our current residence staff – they create connections with the men,” Williams said. “The Men’s Residence department at McGaw has also been good about supporting staff and residents within the program to keep the environment safe for all.”
Once a resident moves out of McGaw housing, they are still considered part of the McGaw family – the residents have continued support from the Y to ensure their needs are met every step of the way. The McGaw YMCA continues to look for ways to connect with and support former residents, even as their journey takes the next step.
Support During COVID-19
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, McGaw YMCA and the larger Evanston community have rallied around the Men’s Residence program to help ensure the men in the program feel safe and supported in their shared housing environment.
McGaw residents and staff were offered the COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 25.After the state shut down in March 2020, the residence program suspended the application process for new residents to keep occupancy at a reduced capacity. McGaw Residence staff focused on responding to current residents’ physical needs, such as providing face masks and increasing sanitization of spaces. Local restaurants donated food, businesses and local creators donated masks, and during the holidays, a group of volunteers delivered more than 160 gift baskets with hats, scarves and other supplies to residents.
Individual donations and grants have helped underwrite fresh food for the pantry, emergency rent relief and additional cleaning services and supplies. In total, more than $200,000 in philanthropic relief helped support the Men’s Residence Program during the uncertainty of COVID-19.
McGaw Residence staff have also focused on meeting the residents’ health and wellbeing needs. Residents and staff were offered COVID-19 vaccinations by through a partnership between the McGaw Y and the City of Evanston Health Department, and the Residence team has been conducting one-on-one wellness checks to help reinforce the importance of mental health. Fouche emphasized the importance of keeping up with the residents’ mental wellbeing, especially during the pandemic, and said the Residence team has been intentional about creating fun activities and leadership opportunities for residents. In the last year, McGaw introduced the Residence Council to help influence the culture of the program, and to help residents build meaningful connections.
Looking Forward
In the months ahead, the McGaw YMCA Men’s Residence program will continue to evolve its goals for housing, wellbeing, employment supports to adapt to the needs of the Evanston community. McGaw recently hired a New Resident Case Manager, Feythia Idris, to address the individual needs of resident members and help build community.
There are also plans to improve the physical space for the residence program, starting with construction to expand the social space on the ground level in 2021, followed by renovations to the living space. Thomas F. & Susan P. Moran Family Foundation have underwritten the development phase of the Residence Renovation and were preparing to launch the fundraising effort in March 2020. Lessons learned through the pandemic have fine tuned the vision and McGaw YMCA will start sharing details about the project scope to formally launch the fundraising effort in spring 2021.
According to Williams, “I hope in the future, the outside world sees what the Men’s Residence program truly is. And that they understand that it’s a bigger piece of the puzzle for people who need it.”’
To learn more about how the McGaw Men’s Residence program addresses housing insecurity in Evanston, view the “At Home At 1000 Grove” video at the link below.
Watch “At Home At 1000 Grove” Video
Every Contribution, at Every Level, Makes a Difference.
To support the McGaw YMCA’s work with a one-time donation of any size, or to set up a recurring donation, please visit our online donation system at the link below.