Denise Rosado, a Hermosa resident, has dedicated her life to feeding the homeless and helping others. 

Rosado’s latest project began when she saw a YouTube video that displayed the hunger some Chicagoans face and the kindness that some people showed them.

Since she shared the video, Rosado has had 25 people join her in feeding the homeless and leads a group called M25:35 out of The Carpenters House, 1651 N. Kedzie Ave., a Pentecostal church

in Humboldt Park.

The Chronicle spoke with Rosado about what compels her to help the homeless, her work and M25:35.

THE CHRONICLE: How did you get started working with the homeless?

DENISE ROSADO: I’ve been dedicating my time solely to our mission of feeding the homeless. Feeding the homeless is something that is part of my DNA. I have always enjoyed doing these good deeds periodically but never took it a step further until I saw a powerful video that was posted on Facebook. The video was of young people making homeless people smile with acts of kindness, [including] food, clothes, backpacks and even haircuts, so I shared the video and challenged some friends to come out one Saturday and asked that they bring five brown bag lunches. After several months of hitting the streets of Chicago, my team of four to six volunteers turned into over 20 volunteers and our 25 bags turned into feeding 100 adults twice a month. 

I made a connection with Interfaith House and began organizing volunteers to feed lunch or dinner once a month. We then added a second day in the month in which we take warm meals for lunch. 

Do you think your degree in social work has had a direct impact on what you do?

My degree in social work reinforces what I love to do. It has definitely sharpened my ears and eyes to hear and see beyond the need that is in front of me. It has also helped me to learn that if social issues are not addressed [at] a micro level, then they will be ignored in a macro level in society. In other words, the more awareness to homeless [people], the greater possibility for an even larger involvement.

Why focus on Humboldt Park?

Because I worship in Humboldt Park [at] The Carpenter’s House and grew up in this community, we have decided to continue our work here. My senior pastor, Dr. Isaías Mercado, believed in what I was doing and adapted this work as part of our mission in [The Carpenter’s House] to serve others.

Do you keep in touch with any of the people you have served?

We don’t typically keep in touch with people unless we are linking them to another social service, but we do see them every time we serve and we also sit and catch up with them while they eat.

You said that you are currently working in Guatemala. What are you doing there?

Our church founded a church in Jutiapa, Guatemala. Here we have a fund in which we send monthly monetary help to also feed the children in need. Our pastor and members of his congregation conducted a survey, and we now feed over 100 children [weekly]. These children are from our community school and nearby neighbors. We also just started to feed children that are in more need that work in the dumpsters in Guatemala. This project is called Seeds of Greatness, and as a group, we come and relieve our volunteers several times a year.

What has been your most gratifying experience as a volunteer?

All experiences are touching and every time we serve, we experience something new. I could never forget a man that we always encountered under a bridge. We fed him physically, but he would always feed us spiritually. He spoke with joy and was always grateful for the little

he had.