An Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporation Federal 501(c)(3) Status Pending

Architectural rendering of the renovated First Family and Child Services building: a two-story cream brick center with community murals, entry signage, landscaped gardens, and families walking toward the front doors.

Opening in Auburn Gresham

A Center for Children, Families, and Opportunity

First Family and Child Services is creating a welcoming family resource center in Auburn Gresham. Under one roof, families will have access to childcare and early learning, workforce training and employment support, family and social-service navigation, fresh meals, and dedicated resources for mothers and infants.

Join the Interest List See the Plan
Planned center Scroll

The transformation

A Vacant School Reimagined for Children and Families

The former Marva Collins School has been vacant since 2019. The planned redevelopment will return this important neighborhood property to active use as a childcare, preschool, school-age, family resource, and social services center.

Planned renovated building with new signage reading First Family and Child Services, community murals of families, landscaped gardens, and an accessible entrance.
The former Marva Collins School today: a weathered grey concrete building with boarded windows, stained facade, bare ground, and a chain-link fence.

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The former Marva Collins School today and its planned renovation. Final design, signage, permits, licensing, and approvals are subject to change.

Community leadership support

Supported by Leaders Who Know This Community

State, county, and local leaders have written in support of the planned redevelopment and the services it will bring to Auburn Gresham children and families.

Jesse White, former Illinois Secretary of State.
Jesse White Former Illinois Secretary of State

This redevelopment will restore an important neighborhood property, create jobs, and provide much-needed services to local children and families.

Alderman David H. Moore, 17th Ward, City of Chicago.
Alderman David H. Moore 17th Ward, City of Chicago

Restoring it now would help prevent further deterioration, return a prominent neighborhood property to productive use, create construction and permanent employment opportunities, and establish a lasting resource for Auburn Gresham children and families.

Bill Lowry, Cook County Commissioner for the 3rd District.
Bill Lowry Cook County Commissioner, 3rd District

This project will transform a long-vacant former school into a Family Resource and Social Services Community Center offering family support, workforce development, educational programming, fresh meals, and licensed childcare as an integrated service.

All under one roof

Childcare and Family Services in One Trusted Place

Childcare, preschool, school-age programming, fresh meals, family support, workforce resources, and coordinated social-service referrals will come together at one location for children and families.

Planned bright early-learning classroom with young children at a low table and a teacher sitting with them on a rug.

3 weeks through age 6

Childcare, Preschool, and Early Learning

Planned infant care from as early as three weeks, toddler classrooms, preschool, prekindergarten, school readiness, age-appropriate play, outdoor time, fresh meals, and regular communication with families.

Explore Childcare and Programs
Planned parent workshop: a facilitator beside a blank whiteboard speaking with a circle of seated adults.

For parents and caregivers

Family Support and Social Services

Help navigating childcare enrollment, public benefits, employment resources, housing needs, family wellness, and referrals to trusted community service providers.

Explore Family Services

  • Family Intake and Resource Navigation

    A welcoming first point of contact for enrollment, applications, benefits guidance, case coordination, and referrals for food, housing, healthcare, and other family needs.

  • Fresh Meals and Nutrition

    Breakfast, lunch, and snacks planned for preparation on site, together with nutrition education and healthy cooking activities for children and families.

  • Workforce Training and Job Placement

    Career planning, skills training, resume and application assistance, interview preparation, employment referrals, and connections to participating employers, training providers, colleges, and universities.

    Explore Workforce Training and Job Placement

  • Social-Service Coordination

    Coordinated referrals for counseling, behavioral health, child development, early intervention, legal aid, housing, financial literacy, and other specialized services.

  • Community Resource Room

    Computer and internet access, help with online applications, family-resource navigation, meeting space, and scheduled services from community partners.

  • Community Hall and Event Space

    A planned multipurpose hall for community meetings, workshops, local business and nonprofit events, family celebrations, birthday parties, graduation parties, and other approved gatherings.

    Explore the Community Hall and Event Space

  • Accessible Facility and Services

    Accessible entrances and routes, an ADA lift, accessible restrooms, and a facility designed to serve children, caregivers, and community members safely and comfortably.

Explore All Programs and Family Services

Our mission

Working Together for Children and Families

First Family Foundation is creating a trusted South Side destination for childcare, early learning, family support, workforce development, and community-based services — bringing them together in one welcoming place for children and families.

First Family Foundation

An Illinois not-for-profit organization supporting charitable, educational, family-development, and community-based initiatives.

  • Childcare and early learning
  • After-school and school-age programs
  • Mothers and infants support
  • Family and social services
  • Workforce training and job placement
  • Fresh meals and nutrition

All under one roof at 8035 South Honore Street in Auburn Gresham.

Planned family support worker sitting and talking with a parent in a bright, softly furnished room.

Mothers and Infants

Support from the First Weeks Through the Transition into Childcare

Planned support for new and expecting mothers will include postpartum family check-ins, help locating essential baby and household supplies, childcare-subsidy application assistance, family-resource navigation, and a warm transition into infant childcare beginning as early as three weeks old. Plans include room for more than fifty infants, subject to final licensing and room approvals.

Learn About Mothers and Infants

Stay connected

Receive Program and Enrollment Updates

The center is still under development. Join the interest list for updates about infant care, toddler and preschool programs, school-age services, family resources, partnerships, and the path to opening. Joining the list is not an enrollment application and does not reserve a space.

I am interested in (select all that apply)

We will use your information only to respond about First Family programs and project updates. Joining this list does not guarantee enrollment, funding, or services. Opening dates, tuition, schedules, licensed capacity, and enrollment procedures have not yet been finalized.

Contact us

Get in Touch

Questions about programs, partnerships, or the project? We would be glad to hear from you.