LaSharon Smith and her four sons are safe, but are left with virtually nothing after an errant bus barrelled into the south side of their home early Tuesday morning.
Deemed unsafe by city officials, the home was razed hours after the impact.
"They're coping as best they can, but they're completely starting over," said Michael Ellis, an administator with the Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park, which owns the home.
Ellis said Smith was only allowed to enter the front of her home for a few minutes to gather a few things.
Ground Zero was the back of the home, where the bedrooms and bathroom were located, and where the most necessary and sentimental items were kept.
"They don't have anything and winter time is coming," Ellis said. "They don't even have their coats."
For now, the single mother and her boys, who are between the ages of 8 and 18, are staying with relatives who live in the area.
The boys are out of school on Wednesday because of the Veterans Day holiday.
The driver of the bus, 36-year-old Zoye Sanders, was cited for negligent driving. She has an appearance in traffic court scheduled for New Year's Eve, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The 111 Pullman/111th/115th bus was traveling south on Vincennes when it hit the south side of the house, Neighbors said it wasn't the first time the Morgan Park home has been hit by a vehicle, and buses have been known to take the corner too fast.
Four people on the bus were not seriously injured.
The Apostolic Pentecostal Church is heading up the family support efforts and is accepting donations of cash, clothing and household necessities. Anyone who wants to help the family should call 773-881-6900.
