Our Team

Jolynn Payton is the founder and executive director of Little Fannie's Heavenly Housing, she created our nonprofit organization in August 2016. Inspired by the compassion and generosity of her grandmother, Fannie Dunigan, Payton created the organization to provide outreach services, emergency assistance, housing resources, and encouragement to vulnerable people seeking stability and independence.

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Before launching the nonprofit, Jolynn Payton worked 15 years at the University of Chicago in several administrative positions, including managing federal grants. In 2015, she left her career to pursue her mission of helping individuals experiencing homelessness and hardship. Through Little Fannie’s Heavenly Housing, she has focused on empowering at-risk youth with dignity, compassion, and practical support services designed to help them transition toward safe and independent living

Jolynn is the wife to Mark Payton (Assistant Director), mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  Jolynn's heart for the less fortunate comes natural. She feels that we were put on the earth to help one another. "Without Love you have nothing."

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Jolynn  became one of the WGN TV Remarkable Women Top 4 Contestant! Her Story was  aired March 23, 2021! Click the link below to take a look:

https://wgntv.com/news/remarkable-women/were-just-spreading-a-little-love-chicago-woman-provides-homeless-with-care-bags-on-frigid-days/

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Jolynn also received an honorarium award May 8, 2022 from JAD Production as Women of the Year In honor of her constant commitment to serve the less fortunate.  

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Her goals, hopes and prayers are that Little Fannies Heavenly Housing will one day open its doors to individuals experiencing homelessness, advocate for their needs, and provide the support and resources necessary to help them transition from homelessness into a safe, stable, independent and fulfilling life.