Daybreak Center: An Unbroken Lifeline for Families and Individuals in Need
Located at 611 E. Cass Street, Daybreak Center is Will County's largest emergency homeless shelter, housing up to 120 men, women, and families each night. Its Shepherd’s Table soup kitchen and intensive case management help residents regain stability and move into permanent housing.
Opened in 1993 and operated by Catholic Charities, the Daybreak Center at 611 E. Cass Street serves as the emergency safety net for residents confronting sudden crisis, displacement, or domestic emergency. The facility operates separate dormitory wings for men, women, and families, ensuring that children never face the streets unsheltered.
In addition to beds, Daybreak’s Shepherd’s Table soup kitchen prepares warm lunches and bagged meals daily, served with the help of civic volunteers and church groups. Case managers work alongside shelter guests to obtain vital identity records, access mental health and addiction support, and secure steady employment and permanent housing.
