The Oak Park Homelessness Coalition (OPHC) is a multi-stakeholder group comprised of 50-plus organizations and individuals working in five work groups to end homelessness in Oak Park by making it rare, brief and one time.


Represented by local businesses, government, healthcare, faith-based groups, school districts, non-profits and social service agencies, the OPHC meets quarterly to educate the community, develop and implement the plan and take action to help those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Together, we are working to end homelessness in Oak Park by:

  • generating a baseline understanding of the homelessness issue in Oak Park

  • creating goals and strategies to combat homelessness

  • implementing tactics to create a public-facing campaign that educates people about the issue and how people can help

  • collaborating with a broad coalition to help those who are homeless or in danger of being homeless



Core Team Members:

Cheryl Potts, Community Mental Health Board -- Oak Park Township

 Laura Brookes, Community Mental Health Board -- Oak Park Township

John Harris, a5 Branding + Digital, Facilitator

Vanessa Matheny, Village of Oak Park

Jeff Prior, Village of Oak Park

Lynda Schueler, Housing Forward

Rob Simmons, Oak Park Public Library

Anita Pinduir, The Way Back Inn

Gail Shelton, New Moms