Since our founding during the settlement house movement in 1894, Chicago Commons has partnered with individuals, families, and communities to overcome poverty, discrimination, and isolation. Founder Graham Taylor's vision was for a settlement community that worked with - and not merely for - people, helping them overcome obstacles by building on strengths and assets.

Chicago Commons originally served immigrants on the near northwest side of the city. We have been committed to shaping public policy and disseminating effective human service models from the beginning. Child development has always been a vital part of our mission: Commons opened one of the earliest kindergartens in Chicago in 1897. The West Humboldt Education Training Center, a nationally recognized adult education and family literacy program, opened in 1991. Our child development programs began their exploration of the Reggio Emilia approach to education in 1993 and were one of the first in the nation to systematically implement the principles of this approach with children from low-income families.

Today, Commons continues to work with communities to create programs that develop self-sufficiency and enhance quality of life, strengthening individuals at key stages of their lives, from early childhood through older adulthood. We operate in neighborhoods where children and families are most at risk for poverty, violence and educational disadvantage.

Our goals include promoting lifelong learning by caring for and educating children and supporting their families; promoting leadership development and healthy life choices among at-risk young people; helping under-and un-employed adults to improve their economic opportunities; and enhancing the quality of life for older and disabled adults and supporting their primary caretakers. Our success will be measured by how well residents achieve the goals they articulate for themselves, their family and their community. Read some of their stories here.