An Illinois Not-for-Profit and 501(c)(3) Organization

Working together with First Family and Child Services to strengthen children, families, and communities.

The Project

Restoring a neighborhood landmark

The former Marva Collins School has stood vacant since 2019. This is what it takes to bring it back — and what it will become for Auburn Gresham.

The building today

Strong bones — and real work ahead

Vacant since 2019, the building needs significant investment before it can safely serve children and families. These are the actual conditions inside.

  • The building's original boiler in the basement, rusted and leaking, surrounded by bare concrete and exposed pipework. Actual condition

    No HVAC, leaking boiler

    No air conditioning anywhere. The original boiler leaks and must be fully replaced, along with the entire mechanical system.

  • A stripped service room with a single old sink, worn flooring, and a glass-block window, awaiting conversion into a kitchen. Actual condition

    Kitchen stripped, non-functional

    An outdated service room with a single old sink needs a full conversion into a commercial-grade kitchen.

  • An outdated interior restroom with worn fixtures, dated tile, and finishes in need of full replacement. Actual condition

    Six bathrooms, all outdated

    All six bathrooms need a full remodel to be modern and accessible for both adults and children, with new fixtures and current safety standards.

  • A vacant former classroom interior with a stage curtain, glass-block windows, and dated painted block walls awaiting full renovation. Actual condition

    Classrooms need full renovation

    Windows, doors, lighting, flooring, and finishes all need upgrading, and security and access control require full modernization.

Total Project Investment

$2M

Acquisition and construction combined

  • $1.25M Property acquisition Purchase of the vacant former school and site
  • $750K Construction & renovation Interior build-out, ADA, mechanical systems and site work

The facility

Built around the people who’ll use it

The project will bring new life to the long-vacant former Marva Collins School. The approximately 15,650-square-foot building will become a modern center where children can learn and families can connect with practical support in one location.

Planned improvements include:

  • Updated classrooms and building systems
  • Accessible entrances and restrooms
  • An ADA lift
  • A commercial kitchen
  • An indoor multipurpose area
  • Program and resource rooms
  • Two age-separated outdoor playgrounds
  • 15,650 Square feet reactivated
  • 10 Program suites
  • 50 Permanent jobs planned
  • 2 Outdoor playgrounds

A proven model

Benchmarked against Chicago’s leading family centers

The program mirrors the wraparound service model of established Chicago providers — combining early care and education with family support, nutrition, workforce readiness, and social-service referrals.

  • Metropolitan Family Services Learning & wellness centers
  • Carole Robertson Center for Learning Early care, education & family support
  • Ada S. McKinley Community Services Family & social services network
  • Chicago Early Learning Family resource centers

Every peer service category — included in this project

  • Early care & education
  • Family support services
  • Nutrition & daily meals
  • Parent development
  • Workforce readiness
  • Benefits & enrollment help
  • Computer & internet access
  • Social-service referrals
  • Community programming

Community Alignment

Shaped with the neighborhood, not just for it

  • Refined with GAGDC

    The project was shaped through direct engagement and feedback from the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, steering it toward a family-resource model that complements — rather than competes with — existing childcare and community-service providers.

  • Supported by the 17th Ward

    17th Ward Alderman David Moore has voiced support for the redevelopment, recognizing its potential to strengthen families, create employment, and contribute to the continued revitalization of Auburn Gresham.

  • Aligned with the Quality of Life Plan

    The project matches priorities identified in the Auburn Gresham Quality of Life Plan, including education and youth development, family engagement, health and wellness, and workforce opportunity.

Path to opening

How this gets built

Each stage must be completed and approved before the next. We will share progress as milestones are confirmed.

  1. 1 Property Acquisition
  2. 2 Licensing & Approvals
  3. 3 Architecture & Engineering
  4. 4 Renovation & Capital Work
  5. 5 Staffing & Programs
  6. 6 Outreach & Enrollment
  7. 7 Grand Opening

No opening date has been set. Timing depends on licensing, permits, and final approvals.

Community impact

A corner of the neighborhood, back in use

The center will return a vacant neighborhood institution to productive use and create a welcoming place for children, parents, and community partners. The project will expand access to childcare, give school-age children a safe after-school setting, connect families with services, support local employment, and contribute to continued investment in Auburn Gresham.

  • 50 Permanent positions planned 32 full-time · 18 part-time
  • 25 Construction jobs During the renovation phase

Our nonprofit partner

First Family Foundation

First Family Foundation supports charitable programs, grants, donations, scholarships, youth enrichment, workforce services, and community partnerships alongside First Family and Child Services.

Illinois not-for-profit · 501(c)(3) organization

Governance and transparency Read the full statement Hide the statement

First Family Foundation is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation supports charitable, educational, family-development, and community-based initiatives.

First Family and Child Services LLC serves as an operating and program partner responsible for childcare, early-learning, after-school, and related family-support services. The organizations work together through appropriate written agreements while maintaining separate governance, financial records, bank accounts, contractual responsibilities, and legal obligations.