The Margarita Inn and its future have been the subject of many community discussions during the past several months. The focus is Connections for the Homeless’ goal of purchasing the building to continue offering the Bridge Housing and services so critical for people seeking to improve their lives.

The board, staff, and advocacy committee of Interfaith Action of Evanston – a coalition of 40 faith communities serving homeless and hungry people in Evanston for 35 years – support Connections for the Homeless, its purchase of the Margarita Inn, and the City’s approval of a special use permit. We shudder to think of the impact of losing this facility. For the last two years, the Margarita has been a beacon of hope for people in Interfaith Action’s overnight and daytime shelters. Without it, Evanston streets, building enclaves, alleyways, and parking structures will likely take its place for people left without housing, restrooms, privacy, or much faith in a future.

Interfaith Action has launched a petition for individuals to voice their support of Connections and the Margarita Inn. Found at the Interfaith Action website (https://interfaithactionofevanston.org/margarita-inn-petition/), this petition offers an alternative for those who may not be comfortable speaking up in the noise of public comment. To date, we have gathered more than 600 signatures and welcome all who wish to express support for the Margarita Inn.

We also encourage people to consider volunteering in one of Interfaith Action’s many programs, within a faith community, or with other Evanston nonprofit organizations. There is no better way to understand the challenges and complexities facing people experiencing homelessness and hunger. Those of us working in soup kitchens, overnight and daytime shelters, and at the Producemobile have come to know and care about the people we serve, sharing in their interests, humor, individuality, and their very presence among us. We worried about them during the pandemic and have been relieved to see them again once the clouds lifted. Please consider volunteering with us, either within your faith community or at https://interfaithactionofevanston.org/get-involved/.

Finally, thank you to all who support and volunteer in the wide variety of capacities available. This is the way we build community – one that cares about and appreciates the many different people who make up our world.

Sincerely,

Melissa Appelt
Interfaith Action of Evanston
Board President

6 replies on “Letter to the community: Support for the Margarita Inn”

  1. As a 3rd ward resident for over 20 years, I strongly support the issuance of a special permit and to allow Connections to purchase the Margarita Inn. I have recently visited the Margarita Inn to see the much needed support that their participants receive. In a perfect world homelessness would not exist. Unfortunately, that’s not the world we live in. Let’s continue the work of getting the homeless into safe spaces. Connections and Interfaith Action are working hard to do it. Evanston should support them!

  2. I too have visited the Margarita Inn and have seen firsthand how having your own room with a door to close and a personal bathroom to use can start a person on a new path of life. The hotel provides the bridge to go from homeless to housed with the expectation that residents will go on to permanent housing elsewhere. I expect the Evanston I have known for over 50 years to support this successful effort to combat homelessness.

  3. I’ve volunteered in various capacities for Interfaith Action of Evanston for the past 7 years. IAE works to help the homeless and the hungry. We do it because it’s the right thing to do. Come join us.

  4. I have been to the Margarita Inn and it is a well run and compassionate way of alleviating the challenges of homelessness. Many of my congregants live in the area and are supportive of this project. We need more solutions like this to the struggles of poverty and I am grateful to Connections for taking this on, being creative, working with and serving our community.

  5. Thank you, Ms. Appelt, for your heartfelt letter. I appreciate the essential work that Interfaith Action of Evanston and Connections for the Homeless do to alleviate poverty and grow equity for the homeless.

    I am a Fourth Ward resident, living on Grove, around the corner from the Margarita Inn. I’ve experienced homelessness, subsequently holding positions with prominent Chicago and Evanston homeless services agencies; I know the challenges facing the homeless (I am currently in workforce development, assisting lower – income folks in accessing fulfilling careers). I gladly give to organizations empowering people to progress in life, and I’ve done much volunteering in the literacy and employment fields. I’ve a firm belief in “paying it forward”.

    I oppose CFTH’s purchase of the Margarita Inn, most specifically because it is not a “clean and sober” facility – which is a necessary environment for many struggling to overcome homelessness, as addiction (along with behavioral health issues) and homelessness are often intertwined. As I see it, the Margarita, as currently managed by CFTH, is “enabling failure” for their guests in this regard. These folks merit a dignified milieu and a “safe space”, not one promoting further chaos and dysfunction. More below (text capitalizations mine):

    Alcohol use by Margarita Inn residents is allowed per the CFTH “Shelter Participant Handbook”. A copy of this is on public record (as presented to the Evanston Land Use Commission meeting on 05/11/2022), and the complete Handbook (along with the accompanying meeting record) can be found on pp. 103 – 149 at this link below (PDF):

    https://www.cityofevanston.org/home/showpublisheddocument/71473/637874314253300000

    City of Evanston – Land Use Commission – Wednesday, May 11, 2022

    ‘Connections For the Homeless – Shelter Participant Handbook [Revised 01.15.2022]’

    H. Alcohol + Other Substances [page 7]:

    “ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED IN THE SHELTER but may only be consumed in your room. At no time is open alcohol permitted in any common area, including the hallways, Courtyard, or anywhere outside on the shelter property. Non-prescription substances that are illicit/illegal are not allowed anywhere in the Shelter, including in individual rooms, or on the property…”

    There are many sources addressing this topic. Here, briefly, is one from the US National Library of Medicine, a component of The National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1772151/

    Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, And the Homeless

    “Abstract: Credible estimates of the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse suggest that ALCOHOL ABUSE AFFECTS 30% TO 40% AND DRUG ABUSE 10% TO 15% OF HOMELESS PERSONS. A review of policies that address substance abuse among the homeless finds that interventions alternate between control and rehabilitation. However, the unique needs of a changing homeless population require an integration of alcoholism and drug abuse recovery services with programs for women, adolescents, and the mentally ill. ALCOHOL AND DRUG – FREE HOUSING IS ESSENTIAL TO SUPPORT AND MAINTAIN RECOVERY. Psychology can contribute in the development of effective programs for homeless individuals struggling with addiction and alcoholism…”

    I appreciate your time and thank you for listening!

    Gregory Morrow

  6. I am so grateful for the work of Interfaith Action of Evanston, Connections for the Homeless, and members of Evanston’s many faith communities who volunteer to walk alongside and support people experiencing homelessness and hunger. Other municipalities have ended homelessness in their communities…certainly Evanston can do this as well. Supporting the Margarita Inn as bridge housing is one step we can all take.

Comments are closed.