A chance meeting at Starbucks led Chef Joe Morelli to join businessman Brian Russell on his mission to feed the bodies, and the souls, of homeless teens in Chicago.
Russell is executive director of StandUp for Kids (SUFK), Chicago Chapter. A volunteer organization, SUFK helps homeless teens, ages 13 to 24, become empowered adults by providing them with food, clothing, crisis intervention and mentoring.
“I believe that everyone is in this world to be happy,” says Russell, of Northfield. “In order to be happy, you’ve got to have that base, that confidence that you are important. If we can get to one kid, give them a new opportunity, a new way of thinking about things, then we’re successful.”
Morelli, co-owner of Max’s Deli in Highland Park, prepares the bagged meals that Russell and his team of volunteers deliver to teens Monday and Thursday evenings, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., on the streets of Chicago. Also open during that time, at an undisclosed location, is SUFK’s drop-in center that provides programs to lead teens off the streets.
According to Russell, there are 15,000 homeless teens in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Their homelessness may result from:
- Escaping foster care
- Fleeing abuse
- Getting kicked out by their parents for being gay
- Making bad choices
They are not welcome at family shelters because they are not a family, and adult shelters are unsafe, Russell says. “They feel the only place they can go is the street.”
At the center, volunteers help homeless teens secure:
- Clothing
- Bus passes for school
- Medical care
- Proper identification for job applications and government assistance plans
- Enrollment in community programs, GED classes or college
Recently, a client was disappointed that his obesity disqualified him for the military. To help him reach the required weight, Russell arranged for a YMCA membership and exercise clothes. The center is also providing two college students with the essentials to excel in school.
A survey that Russell conducted in October revealed that 95 percent of center participants were in school or working.
“In their giving, people want to see hefty goals, but when you’re actually working on it, you know those small goals are much bigger.”
Russell’s five-year plan includes hiring a center coordinator, adding and expanding programs, and building a kitchen for teaching restaurant skills. Looking for a family friendly community service project? Call Chef Morelli at 847-831-0600 to schedule an appointment to join him in passing out food for SUFK.
