Lucky Penny Friday Forum Lunch

Nancy & Tom Hanson

Dutch Treat. Order from the Menu

The Healing Art of Gardening at The Boulevard—Restoring Health and Rebuilding Lives

The Boulevardis a residential place of healing for ill and injured homeless men and women who have come from the hospital and have nowhere to go. It is located on the west side of Chicago near The Garfield Park Conservatory. The Boulevard offers residents a warm, safe and caring place to live while they regain their health and rebuild their lives. Residents receive medical care from the onsite health clinic, behavioral health services from a licensed clinical social worker, and a substance abuse evaluation and referral to treatment if needed. Each resident has their own case manager who helps them rebuild their lives and obtain stable housing. Not one resident is discharged back to the street and 72% leave The Boulevard with stable housing.

Nancy & Tom Hanson have been marred for 62 years and have always been involved in volunteer work. Nancy began gardening at the Boulevard over 20 years ago when she retired. She was a founding member of The Boulevard, formerly Interfaith House. She still serves ion the Board and the Advisory Council. Eight years agoNancy & Tom moved from the suburbs to a downtown high rise and Tom joined Nancy gardening at The Boulevard. Nancy, a retired social worker, worked in adoption services, as an Executive Director for a hospice program, and finally as a jack of all trades at the Illinois Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Tom had his own manufacture’s rep business in commercial heating and air conditioning products. They have two adult sons—one in North Hollywood, California. The other lives in Evanston with his wife and two children.