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History For more than a century, Association House of Chicago has played a significant and historic role in Chicago’s westside neighborhoods. Founded as a settlement house by Ellen Holt, a student of Jane Addams, Association House served as a landing place for new immigrants for decades. Today, Association House continues to serve thousands of families each year, through programs that promote health and wellness, advance education, and provide economic opportunity. Timeline Browse photos from our archives and explore the timeline below to learn about our 125-year-long history. 1899 to 1945 1946 to 1996 1997 to Present Back to Top 1900 1899 Association House was established as a community center, eager to meet the challenges of a diverse and growing immigrant neighborhood. Association House began to serve women and girls working in nearby factories. 1905 Daily attendance topped 1,000, and that summer more than 4,500 showers were taken at Association House. To respond to the growing need, founders laid the cornerstone of the new and expanded Association House building at 2150 West North Avenue. 1899 to 1945 1908 The reading room and library opened in the new building, and within two weeks 500 children had borrowed books. 1910 Early participants included many Scandinavians, Germans, Poles, and later, Russian Jews, reflecting changes in the 1910 census. Leadership welcomed the diversity and provided a place that celebrated all cultures and religions. 1915 With a generous estate gift from fellow founding organizer Susan Poxon, Association House opened Druce Lake Camp to provide a summer escape from the city for young girls and boys. 1926 1927 1926 Leadership facilitated financial security through a new partnership with the Church Extension Board of the Presbytery of Chicago. This partnership continued into the 1980s. 1927 The Women’s Auxiliary held its first meeting and advocated for support from Presbyterian churches and businesses. 1930 During the depression, funds were scarce but programs continued, including dental and nutrition services, manual training, and art and music classes. 1899 to 1945 1946 to 1996 1997 to Present Back to Top 1946 to 1996 1946 Alfred Rath became Executive Director in 1946 and served until 1963. He initiated programs for the persons with developmental disabilities and youth, both hallmarks of our services today. 1947 Ever multi-cultural, participants now represented 29 different nationalities. By 1950, Latinos would represent a significant new population. 1948 A pilot program providing education for children with developmental disabilities began. The program grew rapidly and catalyzed the formation of 17 other parent groups in Illinois and 350 groups across the country, ultimately helping to deinstitutionalize countless children. 1960 Caravanas de Verano, a summer outreach program that brought sports and recreation to youth in their own neighborhoods began. This program laid the groundwork for future expansion of teen programs. 1976 AHC began services in Child Welfare with a foster care program that started in 1976. 1977 Our first program funded by the state in Behavioral Health was the Family Center (now PSR) in 1977. PSR is a rehabilitative skill-building service for adults with serious mental illness or co-occurring psychiatric disorders and addictions. 1980 In this decade, youth programs rapidly expand, including job training, group homes, and Association House High School, then called El Cuarto Año. 1990 By 1990, Association House had expanded from 30 staff in the 1960s to more than 200, spread across multiple buildings. Participants were now predominantly Latino and African American. 1993 Harriet Sadauskas was named the twentieth Executive Director. A daughter of Polish immigrants, Harriet grew up at the House and had already worked in the programs since 1973. 1899 to 1945 1946 to 1996 1997 to Present Back to Top 1997 to Present 1997 The building at 1116 North Kedzie was acquired, providing much-needed space to consolidate growing programs and reduce rental costs. 1999 Association House celebrated its 100th year, bringing national attention to one of the longest continually operated settlement houses in the U.S. 2001 A new mission statement was adopted and services were re-organized into five program divisions, reflecting a structure that still exists today. 2005 The Opening Doors for a New Century capital campaign came to a successful close with more than $5 million raised for building renovations, programs, and endowment. 2006 Building on earlier training programs, the Career Center integrated adult basic education, sector-based bridge programs in growth industries, employment services, financial education and coaching, and income support services. 2007 Association House successfully coordinated a group of current Board Members and Board Alumni to form the 2007 Agency Mission Revision Task Force. They formed a new Mission Statement which adopted and approved. 2010 Due to instability in government funding, many child welfare agencies shuttered in the 2010s. In contrast, Association House used private funds to maintain our support of more than 150 children. 2012 Association House began comprehensive support services to transition individuals with mental health disorders and development disabilities from highly restrictive facilities to the community settings, where they now lead fulfilling independent lives. 2016 Association House became the Illinois provider of BankWork$, a nationally recognized financials careers training program helping to disrupt generational poverty through jobs training. Back to Top Related Content Mission & Inclusivity Learn More Impact Learn More Leadership Learn More

Association House Kitchen What We Do Association House Kitchen is a fast-paced, 8-week food preparation training and subsidized employment program for returning and justice-involved citizens designed to equip graduates for positions in professional kitchens. Kitchen Skills In this program you'll learn: Industry standards and expectations Culinary terminology Classical knife skills Proper food preparation Techniques for maximum yield Use of most common professional kitchen tools and equipment ​ Graduates will also earn their ServSafe Illinois Food Handler certificate. Personal Growth Our unique approach pairs culinary training with critical reflection through Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT). MRT is highly-effective in creating a positive identity, improving decision-making, and helping individuals recognize the social consequences of actions. ​ Participants will receive two MRT sessions weekly during the program and for 4-6 weeks following graduation. How We Are Different In addition to skills-training, our team provides one on one support and wrap-around programs to ensure your success. You’ll have access to our Income Support Specialist, Case Managers, Career Navigator, Mental Health Counselors, and more. Here, we get to know you and invest in you as a whole person. Eligibility & Enrollment This program is currently open to City of Chicago residents who are returning citizens or justice involved individuals with non-violent offenses. For consideration, complete the form below. Contact: 773-772-7170 ext. 1050 ​ ​ Current Class Schedule: Tuesday through Friday. Class Format: 2-Month Program, 5 Hour Class, and in-person. Next Class Starts: October 7, 2024 Related Content NextJob Learn More Workforce Staff Learn More

Child Welfare Association House provides support and care for vulnerable children and families who have a history of child abuse and neglect and are involved with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). We serve the Cook County and Northern Illinois areas and remain one of the few providers with fully bilingual English/Spanish staff. Our goal is to ensure the safety, well-being, and healthy development of children and adolescents with a history of trauma and to promote their resilience and progress. We aim to help parents and families develop nurturing and safe relationships with their children. Foster Care Foster Care services provide children with safe, loving, and secure homes when they are unable to live with their family of origin. Case managers work to achieve permanency for the child through reunification or adoption. Learn More Intact Family Services Intact Family Services provides support to prevent the separation of children and families by identifying problems and risk factors and helping families obtain training and support to keep children at home. Learn More Become a Foster Parent A foster parent is there when a child needs them most. If you have love to give, you can be a foster parent. Our staff is here to support you in your parenting journey. Take the next steps today. Learn More Success Stories Mar 26 4 min Finding Normal: Jennifer Does Motherhood Her Way After a chaotic battle with addiction separated her from her daughter, Jennifer found compassion at Association House. Jan 3 2 min A Home for Every Heart Every child deserves a home where they feel safe, loved, and cared for. For children whose safety is at risk, foster care provides a... Dec 10, 2023 1 min Your 2023 Annual Report is Here! Dear Friends, As we reflect on a year of resilience, resistance and reimagination, I am moved by the unwavering commitment of you - our... Additional Resources These resources are here for you. Feel free to check out any of these resources down below pertaining to Foster Care and IDCFS​. Also, be sure to check out or Parenting Resources Page filled with tools and tips for all types of parents! ​ Illinois Department of Children & Family Services Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (1-800-25-ABUSE) - if you suspect a child has been or is at risk of being harmed Crisis and Referral Entry Services Hotline (1-800-349-9049) - the CARES hotline provides connections to SASS services for children and youth experiencing a mental health crisis National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics - all of our staff members follow these ethical standards DCFS Advocacy Office for Children and Families Brochure ​ ​ ​ ​ Parenting Resources

Curriculum What We Teach Association House is known for small classes with engaging, individualized instruction. Our classes meet core learning standards, while providing additional academic supports to ensure students are well-equipped for success. Technology is integrated in all classes. Contemporary Literature Ms. Vicens In Contemporary Literature, we focus on modern day novels and how they connect to our current world. We study issues of societal differences, government, and adapting to new situations, as well as character and plot development. Contemporary Literature focuses on the here and now, and what the future could be, rather than what has already passed. Meet The Teacher Civic Engagement and Protest Mr. Grijalva A traditional civics class will likely focus on the functions of government, the constitution, and voting. Instead, this class focuses on the power of the PEOPLE to make change. Explore topics such as violent/nonviolent protest, building social justice movements, and challenging the powers that be. Meet The Teacher Statistics Mr. Zschunke Statistics involves the practice of collecting and analyzing meaningful data. This includes measures of central tendency and variation, graphical representations, sampling techniques, and probability calculations. Meet The Teacher Algebra Mr. Zschunke Algebra is the study of properties and operations of the real number system, solving and graphing equations and inequalities, translating word problems into equations, operations with and factoring of polynomials, and solving simple quadratic equations. Meet The Teacher Biology Ms. Czarkowski Ng Biology is the study of life. We will introduce students to the scientific method, and then explore living systems from the molecular level up through cells, organisms, and whole ecosystems. We will cover the topics of microbiology, genetics, evolution, and ecology. This year we will additionally focus on understanding the COVID-19 virus and vaccine, so students can make healthy choices for themselves and their community. Meet The Teacher Creative Writing Ms. Vicens In Creative Writing, we focus on developing students writing skills. We cover different styles of writing such as poetry, short story, plays, biographies, etc. We also cover common grammar rules and conventions, editing and reviewing skills in order to improve students written work. Meet The Teacher Humanities Mr. Grijalva Are we in a dream right now? How does my brain work? Why do people do what they do? Humanities encourages students to find answers to the largest questions human beings have ever asked. Explore subjects like philosophy, psychology, sociology, and more! Meet The Teacher Integrated Math Mr. Pilger Integrated Math integrates many topics including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and analysis. Meet The Teacher Anatomy and Physiology Ms. Czarkowski Ng In Anatomy and Physiology class, we will study the structures of the human body and how they function. We will learn about each of the body systems to understand how they work together to make us who we are. We will also learn to recognize how diseases or disorders can cause the body to be out of balance, so that we can try to help fix that. This is a great class for anyone who might be interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, or anyone who wants to be more aware of their own health during their lifetime. Meet The Teacher Culinary Arts Ms. Fisher Culinary Arts is a student driven cooking apprenticeship provided to expose students to a home and commercial kitchen environment, the art of food preparation, cooking techniques, and presentation. Through instruction and practice, students obtain the necessary skills to plan, prepare, and cook a fabulous meal. Meet The Teacher Dual Enrollment Program Each Spring, the Dual Enrollment Program gives Association House High School students the opportunity to enroll in courses at City Colleges of Chicago, gaining college credits for free. This important program exposes students to the college experience. Past courses have included Intro to Computer Information Systems and Administration of Justice. "My favorite class was English Literature. I love reading. I love writing about what I read." - Giovanni, Class of 2021 Related Content Afterschool Programs Learn More Mentoring Programs Learn More Family Literacy Program Learn More

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NextJob How We Help NextJob provides high quality, one-on-one job coaching and multimedia online learning that is highly effective to help all job seekers land jobs and avoid the many impacts of unemployment. This resource complements our Workforce Development offerings by providing online learning for job search using multimedia to address all learning styles, peer-to-peer interview videos and a teach-show-do methodology. Our Approach NextJob is an Online Proven Job Search Training System The shape of the job market is always changing: job boards, social media sites, and resume standards. Our system provides: Tools and exercises to help be prepared, including a resume builder Today’s networking tricks to tap the 50% of jobs that are “hidden” Guidance to the top job boards and how to use them ​ Personalized Job Coaching in a Welcoming Classroom A job coach is like a personal trainer for your career. Coaches help job seekers: Craft and fine tune a resume, 30 sec. commercial, social media profile, etc. Choose a career direction to best tap their talents and background Stay focused, accomplish goals and interview with confidence ​ "NextJob is a great program for individuals who are looking for work but are unsure about where to begin, what they will need, or what to expect! The primary goal of our NextJob program is to assist participants with building impressive resumes, and gaining confidence for interviews, helping them cross the bridge to their desired jobs." - Hind Elbanna, Program Supervisor Related Programs Financial Careers Training Learn More Tech#Ready Learn More

Mental Health First Aid Training How We Help Mental Health First Aid is a nationally recognized training that teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness in their family, friends, community, and workplaces. Life-Saving Training, For Anyone Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. This training is for anyone. In the Mental Health First Aid course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help. Association House offers Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainings in English and Spanish, in-person or virtually. The in-person training requires an 8-hour time commitment. The virtual training is six hours with pre-work required. “Mental Health First Aid Training gave me the confidence to ask directly if the person is suicidal, and if they have an active plan. Also, it has helped me to listen and provide a wider array of options for the individual depending on what is the best fit for them.” - Program Participant Find a Training Community-based trainings take place throughout the year and are available at no-cost to you. To find the next training visit associationhouseofchicago.eventbrite.com . Host a Training If you are interested in hosting a Mental Health First Aid Course at your workplace, community group, or church, please call or email Myra Rodriguez at 773-772-7170 x3204. To cover program costs, sliding scale fees may apply. 100% of individuals who completed the training last year felt better prepared to respond to a mental health crisis and 40% reported using a skill learned in training in daily interactions. Related Programs Mental Health Counseling Learn More Health Education Learn More

Matching Gifts How You Can Help Did you know many companies offer a matching gift program to encourage giving among their employees? And some companies also match gifts for spouses, retirees and part-time employees. You can increase the impact of your donation through corporate matching gifts. When you make a donation, your company can double or even triple the value of your generous gift. How It Works As always, we appreciate any contribution you are able to share, as it aids us in providing much needed services for our community. Questions? Email Drew Williams , Donor Experience Manager. Related Content Give Now Learn More Shop Our Wishlists Learn More Corporate Partnerships Learn More

Family Literacy Program What We Do The Family Literacy Program works with children 6 weeks – 5 years old of parenting students enrolled in Association House High School. We help two generations grow at once. By providing daily on-site child care, early childhood education, family literacy activities, and parenting workshops, we support your family as a whole. How We Do It Early Childhood Education Activities: On a daily basis we provide kids with activities through our curriculum to make sure they are on track with their literacy and reading skills.​ Parent Workshops: Parent workshops are held on a weekly basis where we help parents gain knowledge and skills on how to be their child’s first and lifelong teacher, as well as parenting skills. ​ Parent and Child Activity Time (PACT): PACT activities help review skills learned in workshops and provide a time for our parents and children to bond while reading. ​ Library Services: Once a month, we take our families to the Richard M. Daley Library to grab books and learn about other services the library offers. Action for Children Benefits: Our staff works to help parents with linkage, assistance, and support in accessing and applying for Action for Children benefits. We can help with locating and applying for child care services and state funding for child care. ​ Parent Cooperative: A parent cooperative provides a safe space for parents to support one another and participate in activities.​ Internal and External Referrals: Association House has a wide variety of programs that staff can refer parents to. We try to provide help in all areas, to help you achieve whatever goals you may have. ​ “I love the set up, I think it’s very important for me to know where my child is at and know how they are doing throughout the day. I know if I have anxiety or if she needs something, I can go straight down. It calms me knowing what she is doing and where she is while I’m in class trying to learn.” - Emily, Program Participant Hours Our schedule runs complimentary to the High School schedule which is Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 3:30 pm and Fridays 9:00 am to 12:20 pm. For more information regarding enrollment or general questions, give us a call at 773-772-7170. Related Content Afterschool Programs Learn More Mentoring Program Learn More High School Staff Learn More

Become a Foster Parent How it Works When a child is removed from their home, foster parents provide safe and loving homes, and support a child during a difficult time. Association House helps foster parents meet and exceed licensing requirements. Our bilingual staff provides training and support throughout your time as a foster parent, so you can make a difference in the life of a child. Eligibility Anyone can become a foster parent regardless of your gender or marital status. To become a foster parent at Association House’s Child Welfare program, you must complete the following requirements: Must be at least 21 years old. Legal residency/citizenship of the United States Extra bedroom in home Medical exams and fingerprinting for each person residing in home Income & Financial Stability Completion of 27 hours of Foster Parent Training 3 reference letters "What inspired me to be a foster parent was the desire to be a mother to someone who really needs that mother figure. Even though I know it could be temporary, I still feel like it is worth it to be that nurturing parent for however much time that child needs it. Helping that person become who he will become is a privilege for me." - April, Foster Parent 154 children were protected and cared for in foster care. FAQs How long does it take to become a foster parent?​ The process takes approximately 3 – 6 months. To receive your foster care license, you must go through 27 hours of training, each adult in your household must pass a federal background check, and there is a home study which assures that your home or apartment is appropriate for a child. As soon as your process is complete your case worker will begin to explore placements with you. ​ Do I need to own a home to be a foster parent? Nope! Renting a home is totally fine, as long as all other requirements are met. ​ Do a child's birth parents visit him or her? A large part of a child’s identity comes from his or her family. As a foster parent, you will need to make an effort for your child to stay connected through visits. Your case worker will work with you on the time and location of these visits. Sometimes it’s a grandparent and/or siblings that desire to stay in touch with a child. Learning about this and becoming comfortable with this is part of your foster care training. ​ How much does it cost to become a foster parent, or to adopt through foster care? It is free to become a foster parent. And it is free to adopt from foster care. There are no legal expenses. Note that adoption through an adoption agency (either domestic or foreign) can cost between $25,000 – $40,000. Each child who is adopted through foster care receives a small stipend until the age of 18. And, there are many college scholarships for children who have been adopted through foster care. ​ Please note that in foster care, our goal is always reunification first. If reunification simply is not possible, as determined by the courts, then foster families may choose to adopt the children they have cared for. ​ What kind of support will I receive as a foster parent? Each child is covered with health insurance and each child receives a stipend for his or her individual care. The stipend is different according to each child’s needs. On top of that, Association house has Direct staff service involvement – both case managers and licensing representatives are easily accessible for our foster parents to ensure their questions are being answered, follow up with information or provide guidance. ​ Want More Information? Related Content Intact Services Learn More Parenting Resources Learn More Foster Care Learn More

Association House High School Transcript Request Please complete the forms below to receive your transcript. Please note, all transcript requests will take 5-10 business days to process. Back To Other Forms Anchor 1

Food Pantry How We Help One in seven people in the Chicagoland area will experience food insecurity this year. To alleviate this, the food pantry offers a variety of food options from non-perishables, cooking staples, and even tasty treats to all Association House program participants. If you are in need of these resources, please get in touch with your Association House contact person. How It Works Our food pantry distributes canned goods, cooking staples, and prepared meals during distribution hours or by appointment. We aim to provide cooking essentials such as flour, sugar and cooking oil. We are grateful for our partnership with Whole Foods. Through this partnership, we receive weekly fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and desserts that will put a smile on anybody’s face. We accept donations, especially during the holidays. Whether it be non-perishable goods or grocery store gift cards, we are thankful for your help in supporting our community. For a list of needed items, click here . In addition, we assist participants with their applications and redeterminations for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). For many, food pantry allocations are just not enough. Through SNAP advocacy and application assistance we ensure that our community’s food needs are met. “I am beyond grateful for all the assistance I have received through the food pantry. The volunteers and helpers running the pantry are so kind, very respectful, and free from judgment. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting food back on my table through this pandemic. You are making a big difference and blessing those going through some rough times.’’ - Program Participant Related Content Back 2 School Fair Learn More Health Education Learn More Mental Health First Aid Learn More