Heartland HOUSED and the Heartland Continuum of Care believe engaging persons with lived experience is critical to achieving the goals outlined in the 2022-2028 Strategic Plan to End Homelessness.
The Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB) was established in 2024. Its primary goal is to elevate the voices of individuals with lived experience of homelessness. LEAB members provide ongoing input and expertise on Continuum of Care (CoC) policies, new projects, and ways to improve the homeless response system in Springfield and Sangamon County.
We want to uplift the voices of those that have lived experience of homelessness and ensure that voice is being integrated in the efforts in our community. This board will be used in an advisory capacity in conjunction with the Heartland HOUSED Strategy Board and the Heartland Continuum of Care board.
Before you apply….
What to Expect!
- Compensation for your time
- Monthly set meetings
- Provide personal experience, insight, knowledge, and leadership to community leaders, service providers, and other stakeholders
Requirements to join!
- Experienced homelessness within the last 7 years.
- Ability to attend monthly meetings via zoom or in person
- Currently resides in Sangamon County
- Have a desire to help our community!
Want to join the board?
If you are someone that has experienced homelessness in their life and are interested, apply to join the Lived Experience Advisory Board.
** All applications are reviewed by the HCOC board. Once final decisions are made, applicants will be contacted whether or not they were selected.
If you prefer a paper copy of this application, contact us.
~We aim to empower those who were once powerless~