Kassi Wills had been homeless for six years but things were turning around. She was starting a new job, and in May had been approved to lease a small, furnished apartment. However, she lacked even the basic household items needed for a new start.
Then she was connected with Turpin Cares, a nonprofit organization that provides “starter kits” for people transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing.
“It was a joyous time for me, but I hadn’t started working yet, and I wondered how I was going to live in the place with just about nothing,” Wills said. “I was surprised at how quickly they reached out to me and got things together. They sent me a text saying think about some of the things that you need, and just let us know.”
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Within days, the volunteers from Turpin Cares showed up with a new coffee maker, box fan, dishes, cutlery, bedding, towels, and other items. They also brought her fresh food, including her favorite crackers, which were too pricey for more than an occasional treat.
Wills’ asthma and allergies flared up with the onset of hot weather to the point she had trouble breathing. She contacted Turpin Cares on the chance they knew where she could buy a used or refurbished air conditioner. They surprised her by showing up with a brand new one.
She couldn’t be more grateful for the assistance.
“They help people begin new lives and start to love themselves again,” Wills said. “There aren’t many people out there like this and the world needs more of them. I really appreciate everything they have done for me. They are my special angels.”
Kassi’s angels go by the names of Dale Ludwig and Greg Owen-Boger, corporate and management communications training professionals who run their business, Turpin Communication, out of their home in Chicago’s North Beverly neighborhood.
In 2019, they formed Turpin Cares as a philanthropy, although their efforts to help people began five years before when Owen-Boger and a neighbor, avid knitters, distributed homemade hats, scarves and gloves on city and suburban street corners. Their efforts expanded to care packages of toiletries and food items.
Ludwig and Owen-Boger, and others who joined their efforts, began volunteering with Almost Home Chicago, a nonprofit organization that provides one-on-one services concentrated on helping homeless people in Hometown, Oak Lawn, and surrounding suburbs. They supplied care packages, helped fill pantry boxes, and managed a monthly “free store” at a shelter that distributed hygiene items, food, and clothing.
At Almost Home Chicago, they became aware that the struggle for the homeless goes beyond finding an affordable place to live, and this led to the starter kits.
“They don’t have the resources to set up their homes. Kitchen items, bedding and towels, and other household items are a real expense when you are starting out, moving from a homeless situation,” said Ludwig.
Now, the garage and basement at their home are filled with donations of household items waiting to become part of new homes. In the past year, Turpin Cares has helped a dozen families get reestablished, including three who lost everything in a fire that destroyed an apartment building. Most of the referrals for starter kits, including Wills, come from Almost Home Chicago and similar networks, and they couldn’t be happier with Turpin Cares.
Sarah Galvan, founder of Almost Home Chicago, called the Turpin Cares founders “wonderful people with such good hearts.”
“I have met quite a few members of their team who come to help at the shelter, and they are all cut from the same mold,” she said. “They are very honest, dependable people, and the most organized group I have ever met. I am so blessed to have them as a ministry partner.”
Turpin Cares is involved in other activities in addition to the starter kits. When the pandemic began and homeless shelters closed, they helped set up relief efforts with the 19th Ward Mutual Aid organization. Turpin Cares collaborated with the Beverly Area Arts Alliance to set up a pantry box at the Edna White Garden, and with the Beverly Area Planning Association to set up a weekly free store for toiletries, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies.
Owen-Boger and Ludwig admitted there is a “selfish” side to these altruistic efforts.
“Working with people who are in need gives us something to look forward to,” said Owen-Boger. “And when the pandemic started, we doubled down on our efforts. It gave us a purpose during some really dark times, both personally with the fear and anxiety created by the pandemic, and also with our business, which was gutted. We’re still working to turn that around. Turpin Cares is a positive aspect in our lives.”
Ludwig is president of Turpin Cares, and Owen-Boger is its volunteer executive director. Beverly resident Lucy Gaillard joined their efforts in 2017 and also has a garage filled with starter kit items.
“Greg and Dale work tirelessly at their own jobs and Turpin Cares is a full-time job, also,” Gaillard said. I absolutely agree about there being an internal reward and there is also always this little catch that it’s never enough — you always want to take another step. I enjoy it; it’s become second nature now. I feel lucky to be part of this.”
Grace Kuikman, assistant director of the Beverly Area Planning Association, joined this spring after working with the group at the free store.
“The free store has been a really wonderful experience and I’m looking forward to getting involved with the starter kits,” said Kuikman. “Greg and Dale make sure people get what they need, nice quality things. Their spirit — that they want people to be happy and proud of what they have, that it’s a fresh start — is a completely positive thing.”
Some organizations are wrapping up pandemic relief efforts, but Turpin Cares has no intention of stopping. When the government moratorium on evictions comes to an end, people will face homelessness and Turpin Cares will be there to help. They can be contacted about donations and operations through their website, www.turpincares.org.
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“Turpin Cares will carry on. It will be our legacy,” Owen-Boger said.
Carol Flynn is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.