The health and safety of our residents and staff is a top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn how we are responding to the crisis and how you can help support the women we serve, click here.
Formerly St. Martin de Porres House of Hope - A Supportive Community for Women in Recovery Since 1983
Antoinette Gonzales Kern has been a longtime volunteer of Southside Center of Hope (SSCOH) formally known as Saint Martin De Porres House of Hope. “I will always know it as St. Martin” Antoinette said. How did you begin volunteering at SSCOH? I have been in the hospitality business for decades. I met the founders of […]
According to a recent study, people with substance use disorders may be more likely to become infected and die of COVID-19 because drug use weakens the immune system, inhibiting a person’s ability to fight viral and bacterial infections. Both opioids and COVID-19 also affect breathing, decreasing the ability to properly take in oxygen. This makes the combination […]
Womanhood means being everything to everyone while trying to figure out who you are and what makes you happy. We are seen as the pillar of the family, the source of comfort and kindness, and the beacon of unconditional love. Women are natural multitaskers who can do it all. Strong yet soft, stern but approachable, […]
Divorce. It’s not something you ever intend to hear, think, or experience. However, here you are, thinking it will never happen to you but it has. You took your vows seriously and you were the best spouse you could be. You sacrificed, compromised, and loved the thought of doing life with someone. Unfortunately, I found myself having to make one […]
If you are in a recovery program, you know how close addiction can be tied to mental health. You may even have realized that unresolved mental health issues are at the root of your own battle with substance abuse. What you may not realize just yet, however, is just how important self-care can be for […]
Since the Illinois Governor first enacted the stay-at-home order in mid-march our residents have shown strength, perseverance, and adaptability in adjusting to their new normal. One of our residents, Anna, was gearing up to start a workforce training program when we were all forced to shelter in place. Unsure about what would happen next, Anna stayed positive and waited to […]
The road to recovery is a challenging one, but you might be surprised at the difference taking care of your body can make. Including a fitness regimen and eating a healthy diet can ease some of the bumpiness of your journey, and give you positive, lifelong coping skills. Read on for some ideas to help […]
The residents at Southside Center of Hope are coping with the mayor’s “shelter in place” order and adjusting to a new way of life. Many of our residents were working, participating in training programs, and going to school before the COVID-19 pandemic. One resident, Natasha, has been living at Southside Center of Hope since November and is currently preparing […]
For many suffering from substance use disorder, recovery can seem impossible. While it does require perseverance, recovery is more than possible. At Southside Center of Hope, we see women succeed in their recovery every day. The path to long-term recovery is different for each woman but there are a few recovery basics that can help anyone struggling with substance […]
If you met Juanita today you would find it hard to believe that 30 years ago, she was frail, homeless, and losing her battle with addiction. Juanita found the strength to overcome her addiction while living at House of Hope and since graduating from the program in 1991, she continues to give back by sponsoring […]