The construction of the 17,000+ 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:
- 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:
- 2,600-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