Warmest Winter
Providing relief for individuals experiencing homelessness through service, events, and direct supports
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Warmest Winter is a year-round initiative mitigating the realities of living while experiencing homelessness.
SocialWorks’ Warmest Winter aims to raise awareness and provide relief for individuals experiencing homelessness and extreme hardship through service, direct support, and experiences.
Community is bidirectional, and through the Warmest Winter, individuals can give and receive with dignity while also partaking in Chicago’s largest cultural events. Since launching in 2015, Warmest Winter has grown to hold an annual clothing drive, a yearly holiday event, volunteer opportunities, and quarterly excursions. Through Warmest Winter, we warm to lessen the effects of Chicago’s winter and isolation.
A Night At The Museum
A Night at the Museum is a family-fun holiday event allowing guests to explore the Museum of Science and Industry after hours, engaging with 50+ event-only activations, performers, and more!
This event also serves as a donation hub for those experiencing homelessness. Last year, guests donated over 18,000 warming items affecting shelters across Chicago. A warming item can be a coat or a blanket, but it can also be a new deck of cards or an old MP3 player with a charger and headphones. All donations received at the museum will directly impact those experiencing homelessness in Chicago.
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SocialWorks' Warmest Winter 22-23
The Warmest Winter 23-24 campaign is underway! See opportunities to get involved below! There are many opportunities for community members, vendors, and businesses to volunteer, partner, sponsor, and more.
Stay updated on the Warmest Winter 22-23 by checking this page and ways to get involved below.
#WarmestWinter season is almost here and SocialWorks is kicking off its 7th Annual Donation Drive! This year, the drive will happen from October 9th 2023 to December 3rd, 2023 and we're accepting NEW and GENTLY USED coats, warming items, hygiene items, and toys. 10-15 locations within the Chicagoland area will be selected and these items will directly benefit those experiencing homelessness! NO FOOD OR CANNED GOODS WILL BE COLLECTED.
If your business or organization wants to help spread the warmth by hosting a donation box this season, complete this interest form below! The deadline to complete is September 24th at 11:59pm.Register to Host a Donation Box
A Night at the Museum, is back on December 21st, 2023!
A Night at the Museum is a family-fun holiday event allowing guests to explore the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) after-hours, engaging with 50+ event-only vendors, activations, performers, and more! This event also serves as a donation hub for those experiencing homelessness. During the last A Night at the Museum event in 2022, guests donated over 8,000 warming items affecting shelters across Chicago!
If you, your business or organization wants to help spread the warmth by being involved in A Night at the Museum this season, complete this interest form below!
Deadline to complete the Interest Form is October 8th, 2023 • 11:59pm -
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150,864
Meals Served*
*Since June 1, 2020 with Taste for the Homeless
164,912
Warming Items Collected*
*Items include Coats, Hats, Blankets, Gloves, Socks, Perishable Goods, & Hygiene Products
86
Unique Shelters Affected
News and Events
September 18, 2023
OpenMike Spotlight
September 12, 2023
SocialWorks 2023 Warmest Winter
Partnerships
