New Challenges Arise as City Rallies Support for Women's Shelter

A shelter for women in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood received a brief moment of relief after donations poured in to help them pay an overdue gas bill. But the relief was short-lived as a furnace issue forced them to once again shut off their heat.

Clara's Place, considered a beacon of hope for women in the Englewood neighborhood for more than 20 years, is one of two shelters run by Clara Kirk. Both locations were behind on their gas bills and together they owed People's Gas more than $30,000.

On Thursday, supporters flocked to save Clara’s Place after a report that residents were using their stoves to heat their homes.

Donations helped restore heat to to the shelter, but the gas company soon detected a furnace issue and was forced to turn off the gas until repairs could be made.

Kirk said she was working to have the issue repaired and hoped the heat would be turned on Friday.

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