The Roosevelt Square Community Center
To provide the children and families in the Roosevelt Square Village and the surrounding communities with a valuable resource to gather, learn and strengthen their neighborhood,
SOS Illinois is embarking on an exciting chapter in its history with the building of the
Roosevelt Square Community Center. Seeking to nurture and transform lives through this co-located Community Center, located at 13th Street and Blue Island, the Center will be a hub
of family reunification, therapeutic, academic, social, civic, enrichment,
and recreational activities.
About the Project
The construction of the 11,000+ square foot facility, designed by internationally recognized architect Juan Moreno, is projected to serve over 5,000 individuals annually from University Village, Lower West Side/Pilsen, Little Village, North Lawndale, and other surrounding neighborhoods. The Center will serve as an urban prototype for the delivery of human services that will specifically provide: community.
• Academic, therapeutic, social, and recreational outlets for youth and families served at the Roosevelt Square Village homes
• A communal center for neighborhood residents – a safe place where they can meet in the community and connect to public resources and engage in training, activities, seminars and special events
• Family meeting rooms and learning center providing financial and educational training
A Centerpiece Culinary Kitchen designed to educate the community about nutrition and culinary education including relevant job skills training will be a key component of the Center:
• 3,000-square-feet of kitchen and dining space, plus additional square footage in a roof-top terrace
• Intentional design for culinary demonstrations, hands-on learning experiences, and special event entertaining space
• Stations for cooking instruction and student prep area to promote culinary and nutritional education programming including access to the community garden
Invest in the Project
With the collective and collaborative effort of individuals, corporations, and foundations, SOS Illinois is currently half-way towards the $7.6 million goal to build the Community Center. Through the generous commitment of time, resources, and financial support of many, SOS Illinois is determined to raise the necessary investments to build the Community Center and provide a beacon for the Village residents and surrounding neighborhoods.
The Center will be the ultimate example of the collective power of Foster Parents, staff, the surrounding community, dedicated donors, and friends. SOS Illinois is seeking partners to invest in the Community Center initiative and help fulfill the mission of giving children the opportunity to live in a nurturing, stable, single-family home with their brothers and sisters. We look to maximize opportunities to reach the funding goal with the anticipated opening of the Community Center in 2020.
To learn more about this exciting SOS Illinois initiative, please contact Amy Kaczmarek, Director of Development at (312) 372-8200 or akaczmarek@sosillinois.org.
Did you Know?
SOS Children’s Villages Illinois children achieve a 100% graduation rate. Nationally, only 50% of children in foster care graduate high school.
SOS Illinois children receive comprehensive wrap-around services that address their whole self—physical, mental, and emotional.
SOS Illinois children benefit from permanency and stability. They can always “come home,” even when they are in college or have graduated.
SOS Illinois Foster Parents receive professional training and support to be effective parental figures, receive a salary and full benefits, and have access to a supportive network of other SOS Illinois Foster Parents.