Box of Rain Book Launch Event

Tuesday night, December 16 at 6:30 the Princeton Public library will commemorate the e-book release of author Debra R. Borys’s novel, Box of Rain, with a program about homelessness awareness.

Box of Rain is the third book in Borys’s Street Stories suspense series about homeless youth living in Chicago. Borys spent over 15 years volunteering with service organizations in Chicago and Seattle. Her books combine quirky suspense plots with realistic portrayals of what life on the streets looks like for the unsheltered.

Borys will read from her new book and talk about the conditions she encountered in Chicago, then introduce three local representatives to talk about services available in LaSalle and Bureau Counties for those who find themselves without shelter and in need of assistance.

Carol Alcorn, Executive Director at the Illinois Valley PADS shelter, will emphasize the importance of having a safe place for the night and explain what resources they offer in addition to beds and meals, such as referrals, service plans, and assessments. IV PADS partners with local communities to offer resources and case management free of charge to achieve results through support and opportunity.

Dr. Rebekah Dees-McMahon from Freedom House in Princeton and Kelly Carlson, their medical/legal advocate, will discuss the services they offer to those who are homeless due to domestic abuse. Freedom House is both a Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence program that offers counseling and therapy in addition to shelter and prevention programs. All their services are free of charge for women, men, teens and children.

Steve Graham of Tiskilwa will speak about informal homelessness networks. Homelessness is a fact of life for many in Princeton and the surrounding area due to a variety of circumstances. Listening to people’s stories and getting to know them helps alleviate any misunderstandings and prejudices that might exist.

The Princeton Public Library is located at 698 E. Peru Street in Princeton, IL. All programs at the Princeton Public Library are free and open to all. For more information on upcoming programs and on Princeton Public Library services, go to http://www.theprincetonlibrary.org or call 815-875-1331.