BEDS Plus Care, an organization of homeless shelters in the Lyons Township area, has received some prominent recognition as they close their 23^rd season of service: a pair of awards from the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and the NAACP.

The Chamber presented its Positive Impact Award to the Executive Director of the program, Molly Salisbury, “for serving as an excellent example of how much can be achieved with a positive outlook and commitment to succeed.”

"She has tirelessly for 23 years worked with the homeless in our community… building the program so it provides a myriad of services,” said BEDS Plus Development Director Sue Michalowski. "The award shows the long-lasting impact that a person can have when they stick with it."

The other award received by the program was a Humanitarian Award from the La Grange branch of the NAACP. It reads, “in recognition of BEDS [Plus’] dedicated commitment to providing emergency overnight shelter and assisting with housing placement services to people of west suburban Cook County.”

Michalowski said the awards were a surprise for BEDS staff.

"We didn't know we were getting the award until the actual ceremony," she said.

BEDS provides emergency shelter and counseling to the homeless at seven church locations in and around Lyons Township: four in La Grange, one in La Grange Park, one in Western Springs and one in Brookfield.

The program closed its 23th year of winter housing on April 30 and will reopen on October 15.