Greeting a single mother and her child or children when they arrive at Staben House is a 30-day supply of essentials like soap and toothpaste, as well as bedding which often includes a handmade quilt.
As the formerly homeless family transitions out of Staben House — a group home operated by Waukegan Township — into an apartment of their own within six months, they take the linens and quilt with them.
“It’s always clean when they move in,” Staben House program director Loretta Pable said. “It helps get them started when they get their own apartment. It makes the adjustment a little easier.”
The refreshed conditions at Staben House were on display at the onetime large single-family home built in 1930 during an open house Friday in Waukegan, courtesy of a portion of a grant from the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Waukegan Township Supervisor Marc Jones said the $2 million grant was facilitated by state Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove. The funds were used to refurbish Staben House, the Eddie Washington Center for men and the Patricia Jones Center for seniors.
“After 20 years of being a place where women and children got a hand up, Staben House got a well deserved face-lift which will last for many years to come,” Jones said.
Pable said the money was used to replace the roof, refresh the masonry, build a new driveway, do needed plumbing work and remodel the four bathrooms. With some funds still available, she looked at what was accomplished and knew what had to come next.
“The new things looked great, so then we said, ‘Let’s paint,'” she said.
After women arrive at Staben House with their children, Pable said the mothers must find work — assistance is offered — and be fully employed within 30 days for at least 35 hours a week. They are also required to save 85% of their earnings.
Chores are also required of all residents, as they live together as a community. She said there are currently four families there, as two recently transitioned to their own apartments. The four children there range in age from 7 months to 3 years.
“Some women arrive pregnant, and their babies have been born here,” Pable said. “They can be as old as 17. Once they’re 18, they’re adults.”
Walking into the bedrooms at an open house, the freshly made beds all had a handmade quilt atop the blanket. Jones said it is a longtime tradition. They are made by a quilting group at a Lake Forest church. They are donated in other ways, too.
Latoya Robinson, the home’s case manager, said one time a woman came to Staben House with several quilts. She did not need them any longer, and wanted them put to good use.
“She said her children were grown, and she was moving to a smaller home,” Robinson said. “She wanted (the quilts) to have a good home.”
Between the children’s playroom, with a section of its wall made of blackboard material, and the library is a now a permanently locked door with eight glass panels making a large window. Pable said a mother can search for a job on a computer while watching her children.
“The library is where we do case management, support groups and job searches,” she said. “It’s our most private area, but they can still keep an eye on their kids.”
Volunteers also play a key role at Staben House. Pable said a former music teaches gives piano lessons to children 5 and older. Another offers children 2 and over chocolate yoga.
