Rebecca Johnson Apartments

For almost 100 years, the building at 2822 W. Jackson Blvd. served the East Garfield Park community. Once an orphanage and a settlement house, over the last decades the building had fallen on hard times and its future was uncertain. But now - thanks to the vision of Deborah's Place and the creativity of architect Dennis Langley - the building will stand for another century, providing new hope and new homes for formerly homeless women. Renamed the Rebecca Johnson Apartments, the building has been transformed into 90 units of supportive housing for women with little or no income. Much of the historical architectural structure of the building has been preserved, including arched windows and doorways and a beautiful gabled roof. Several common elements also remain, such as a gymnasium and institutional kitchen. The apartments surround an enclosed, landscaped courtyard and were designed with input from women already living in Deborah's Place housing. Each unit has a full kitchen and bathroom, as well as ample storage space. Comprehensive case management, therapeutic services, education and employment assistance are offered on-site to help women make the transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency.