Chicago Nonprofit Digs with Dignity Provides Housing and Furniture for Those in Need

The organization helps domestic abuse victims, veterans, and others find permanent housing while reusing discarded furniture.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:24am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a cozy living room scene with a plush armchair, a warm table lamp, and a vase of fresh flowers, all bathed in a hazy, golden glow, conceptually representing the welcoming environment Digs with Dignity aims to create for its clients.Digs with Dignity's mission of providing housing and furnishings for those in need is reflected in this warm, inviting scene of a newly furnished home.Chicago Today

Digs with Dignity is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that helps individuals and families in need, such as domestic abuse victims, veterans, and those dealing with sudden job loss or health issues, find permanent housing. The organization also works to reuse discarded furniture, saving it from landfills and providing furnishings for the homes they help set up.

Why it matters

With homelessness and housing insecurity on the rise in many cities, organizations like Digs with Dignity play a crucial role in providing stable housing and support for vulnerable populations. By also focusing on furniture reuse, the nonprofit is able to have a positive environmental impact while improving the lives of those they serve.

The details

Digs with Dignity was co-founded by Kim Hannay and Jan Claibourne. The organization works with individuals and families coming from homelessness, shelters, or unstable living situations to help them find and furnish permanent housing. Digs with Dignity has saved over 300,000 pounds of furniture from landfills, refurbishing and providing it to their clients. One of their team members, Okeisha Winston, was once a recipient of Digs' services and is now employed by the organization, helping to transform apartments for other clients in need.

  • Digs with Dignity was founded in Chicago.
  • The organization has saved over 300,000 pounds of furniture from landfills.

The players

Digs with Dignity

A Chicago-based nonprofit organization that provides housing assistance and furniture for individuals and families in need.

Kim Hannay

The co-founder of Digs with Dignity, who described the organization's work as "the best work I've ever done."

Okeisha Winston

A former recipient of Digs with Dignity's services who is now employed by the organization, helping to transform apartments for other clients.

Jan Claibourne

The co-founder of Digs with Dignity and the organization's "Mr. Fix-It" who, despite being in his 70s, loves every minute of the work.

Irma Williams

A client of Digs with Dignity who was connected to the organization through Catholic Charities after becoming unhoused following the loss of her grandmother and her mother's illness.

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What they’re saying

“This is the best work I've ever done.”

— Kim Hannay, Co-founder of Digs with Dignity

“I always kept in touch with Digs. I was kept in touch with my boss, Kim. So one day, I got a phone call, and she said I have a job position for you.”

— Okeisha Winston, Digs with Dignity team member

“It was like there surely is something I can do to help. [I] love every minute of it.”

— Jan Claibourne, Co-founder of Digs with Dignity

What’s next

Digs with Dignity continues to accept donations of furniture and monetary contributions to support their mission of providing housing and furnishings for those in need.

The takeaway

Digs with Dignity's holistic approach to addressing housing insecurity and homelessness, combined with their commitment to sustainability through furniture reuse, makes them a model for how community-based organizations can make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals and families.