Through partnerships with multiple Chicago-based social service agencies, we work with a variety of individuals and families that include domestic abuse victims, veterans, those who have experienced a sudden job loss, or those dealing with extreme health situations. These individuals and families may be coming from life on the street, a shelter, or living doubled up with family or friends, with no, or only a few, possessions to take with them to their new home. They may not have any furniture or just the bare necessities once they do have a space to call their own. The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless estimates that 68,440 people experienced homelessness in 2021, a significant 2,829 increase from 2020. The study also shows that 7,985 more people were staying in shelters or on the street versus temporarily doubling up with others. In 2023, 6,139 residents were experiencing homelessness during the city’s one-night count, a big jump from last year’s one-night estimated count of 3,875.

In 2019, three former colleagues decided to combine their diverse backgrounds and passion for helping those in need to form Digs with Dignity and break the cycle of homelessness while also keeping furniture waste out of landfills. Native Chicagoan Kim Hannay leads the organization’s business development and operational strategies. She has grown the organization with the help of interior designer Beth Wangman, who brings visions to life for each person and family, and woodworking master Jan Claibourne who curates and restores slightly worn pieces of donated furniture and goods from the Chicago community.

Together, they’ve created a three-pillar process–Relate, Renew, Rebuild–to change the lives of those impacted by homelessness and to protect the environment from the highly problematic impact of furniture waste. Since furniture cannot be easily thrown out or recycled like other waste, most often it ends up in a landfill. The majority of furniture materials are not biodegradable and can emit harmful chemicals into the environment. By seeking furniture donations from the community, we are taking a sustainable approach to rebuild the lives of our clients.

Since the first fundraiser in November 2019, DIGS has grown into a 501 (c)(3) with a 10,000+ square foot warehouse full of donations and countless volunteers who make our mission a reality. We have transformed spaces into homes for over 150 families and have kept over 165,000 lbs of furniture and home goods out of landfills in the process.