Atkins Smith (58) was living within Chicago's Humboldt Park encampment when we first met him in 2022 and provided him with an Orange Tent. A series of life’s twists and turns led him to homelessness and away from the secure housing he’d always known as he worked diligently to pursue and achieve the American dream.

Chicago Street Medicine, the Loyola Center for Community & Global Health, the Orange Tent Project, Chicago NWS Outreach, the Chicago Help Initiative and Illinois State Representative Lindsey LaPointe  come together in coalition to reiterate our June call for Mayor Johnson, Chief Soto and City Council to improve Chicago’s Extreme Weather Response Plan.

Patrick, age 59, has lived in Chicago his entire life. Born in Berwyn, Patrick was a star on the Carl Schurz High School wrestling team and a trumpet player with the school’s band. Read his story and connection to the Orange Tent Project.