Homeless-shelter client turned employee celebrated as key to program's success

Robert Gaiter's journey from living on the streets to helping run the Niles Township Respite Center inspires hope

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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After losing his home and job in 2020, Robert Gaiter spent months living out of his car and on the Chicago Red Line train. He eventually found refuge at the Niles Township Respite Center, where he is now a peer liaison, helping others facing similar hardships. Gaiter's dedication and personal experience have made him an invaluable part of the center's staff, according to the manager Charlie Biggins.

Why it matters

The Niles Township Respite Center provides a safe daytime space for individuals experiencing homelessness, offering meals, showers, and access to social services. Gaiter's story highlights how such community-based programs can transform lives, and the importance of providing support and second chances to those in need.

The details

After losing his home and job in 2020, Gaiter spent months living out of his car and riding the Chicago Red Line train, sometimes contemplating suicide. He was robbed of his personal documents on the train, making his situation even more dire. Another homeless man told Gaiter about the Niles Township Respite Center, where he found a safe place to rest and eventually began volunteering. The center helped Gaiter get new copies of his ID and secure housing. Impressed by his dedication, the center's manager, Charlie Biggins, hired Gaiter as a peer liaison to help other clients, leveraging Gaiter's real-world experience to complement Biggins' social work training.

  • In 2020, Gaiter's marriage dissolved, and he spent half a year living out of his car.
  • Around 2023, the Niles Township Respite Center was created to provide a safe daytime space for individuals experiencing homelessness.
  • In 2024, the center expanded its staff, and Biggins hired Gaiter as a peer liaison.

The players

Robert Gaiter

A formerly homeless individual who is now a peer liaison at the Niles Township Respite Center, helping others facing similar hardships.

Charlie Biggins

The manager of the Niles Township Respite Center, a social worker with over 20 years of experience who has played an instrumental role in the shelter since its early days.

Niles Township Respite Center

A community-based program that provides a safe daytime space for individuals experiencing homelessness, offering meals, showers, and access to social services.

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What they’re saying

“The first day I got here, Charlie opened up with open arms, said 'Whatever you need, I'm here to help.' That's all I needed to hear.”

— Robert Gaiter, Peer Liaison, Niles Township Respite Center (therecordnorthshore.org)

“I say we provide comfort and it's a win-win for the community because the community doesn't want homeless people sitting around fast food restaurants, coffee shops, bus stops, you know, book stores. So if they're here, they're able to start to be able to take that first step.”

— Charlie Biggins, Manager, Niles Township Respite Center (therecordnorthshore.org)

“What I'm doing is important (because) I can show them that, if I can do it, they can do it. That's the thing I most value. It's not just a job.”

— Robert Gaiter, Peer Liaison, Niles Township Respite Center (therecordnorthshore.org)

What’s next

The Niles Township Respite Center plans to continue expanding its services and staff to better support the growing number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the area.

The takeaway

Gaiter's journey from homelessness to becoming a key employee at the Niles Township Respite Center demonstrates the transformative power of community-based programs that provide support, resources, and second chances to those in need. His personal experience and dedication to helping others inspire hope and underscore the importance of empathy and inclusion in addressing the complex issue of homelessness.