Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal and to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857 Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers Chicago-area families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan serves more than 136,600 families and individuals as diverse as the communities in which they live.

Serving Illinois since 1867, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is a statewide, not-for-profit social service agency of the three Illinois synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The demographics of clients served by LSSI generally reflect those of Illinois’ population, with one important exception—more than 80 percent of clients report an annual household income under $15,000, compared to just 12 percent of all Illinois households. The organization provides critical programs for the state’s most vulnerable residents including foster care, mental health services, alcohol and drug treatment, affordable senior housing, residential programs for people with developmental disabilities, and programs that help formerly incarcerated individuals integrate back into society.

Easterseals is leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access through life-changing disability and community services. For more than 100 years, we have worked tirelessly with our partners to enhance quality of life and expand local access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. And we won’t rest until every one of us is valued, respected, and accepted. Through our national network of affiliates, Easterseals provides essential services and on-the-ground supports to more than 1.5 million people each year — from early childhood programs for the critical first five years, to autism services, to medical rehabilitation and employment programs, to veterans’ services, and more. Our public education, policy, and advocacy initiatives positively shape perceptions and address the urgent and evolving needs of the one in four Americans living with disabilities today. Together, we’re empowering people with disabilities, families and communities to be full and equal participants in society.

Illinois Action for Children is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to quality, accessible early learning and care opportunities for children. With nearly 600 employees representing more than 20 programs and service across four sites, we have championed the cause of quality child care and early education for families and children throughout Illinois for over 50 years. Illinois Action for Children is a state and national leader in the early care and education community, distinguished by its "Strong Families, Powerful Communities"​ approach to child development, preschool education and other family and community supports. This broad approach to supporting children by supporting families is a proven and effective means to address overarching issues of endemic poverty, which are the root cause of the educational failure of America's poorest children. Illinois Action for Children's outreach and work with low-income, hard-to-reach families, has led us to research and implement highly effective and innovative programs and advocacy to ensure that early care and education, and other opportunities, are accessible to the children most in need. Highlights from our programs include: - Public Policy & Advocacy organizing to expand access to child care and early education, and other supports. - Early Learning Programs to make early education available to young children so they will be ready to succeed when they start school. - Resource and Referral Program to connect child care providers, parents, and employers with resources such as child care referrals, professional development, health services and community supports. Our mission is to be a catalyst for organizing, developing and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most.

With 40 years of healthcare leadership and expertise, JourneyCare has achieved national recognition for growth, innovation, community partnerships and best practices in caring for adults and children with serious illness. JourneyCare is licensed to serve 13 counties in the Chicago region and is the largest nonprofit provider of hospice and palliative care in Illinois. JourneyCare is dedicated to enriching lives through expert, compassionate care and empowering patients and families to live with dignity, on their own terms.

UCAN builds strong youth and families through compassionate healing, education, and empowerment. Since the Civil War, UCAN has served the most vulnerable children, youth, and families, and has grown over 145 years into a premier social service agency serving over 10,000 individuals annually. UCAN programs address the impact of trauma: with a consistent presence, meaningful programs, and unrivaled organizational diversity and cultural competence. These trauma-informed programs include clinical and counseling services, support for pregnant or parenting teens, foster care placement, a therapeutic youth home, a therapeutic day school, transitional living programs, workforce development, youth leadership development, and violence prevention. At the heart of it all, UCAN’s vision is that youth who have suffered trauma can become our future leaders. UCAN is a consistent and compassionate presence in the lives of those who are most at risk. We start with the premise that communities with challenges possess strengths upon which they can build. From this premise evolves an approach to community support that fosters collaboration with existing neighborhood resources to strengthen communities, one youth at a time. UCAN’s community efforts provide leadership development, supportive jobs for youth, individual healing, and mentoring. UCAN's founding is rooted in spirituality. In 1869, UCAN was founded by members of St. Pauls United Church of Christ (UCC) to provide a home for orphaned children of Civil War soldiers. The UCC and its predecessors have long advocated for social justice, including the struggle for the abolition of slavery and being the first to ordain African-Americans, women, and openly gay persons as clergy. Diversity is a core UCAN value, reflected in our staff, our minority-led Board of Directors, and our clients. It is vitally important that UCAN counteract the influence of discrimination on our communities, families and youth.

Empowering Community Independence The Chicago Lighthouse is the most comprehensive agency serving people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled and Veterans in the United States. Each of our 40 programs and services are designed to help individuals of all ages, races, income levels, and abilities reach the same goal: to live as confidently and independently as possible. Our programs include: •Comprehensive Low Vision Services that provide low vision diagnosis, treatment, counseling, and assistive technology for people of all ages and backgrounds; •Employment Services, empowering individuals with disabilities and Veterans to gain the skills they need to support themselves and improve their quality of life; •Education that provides children, adolescents, and young adults with vision impairments and often other disabilities reach developmental and social milestones; and •Advocacy and Independent Living Programs, that enable clients to thrive in an accessible, inclusive community. In addition, The Lighthouse has developed several Social Enterprise businesses in the areas of Customer Service, Digital Accessibility Consulting, Manufacturing and Shipping that serve the dual purpose of providing our clients with accessible, inclusive jobs and generating revenue to support our clinical and social service programs.

One Hope United (OHU) is a nonprofit providing early childhood education, child and family services, behavioral and mental health resources, and residential programs for more than 129 years. We’re proud to serve over 10,000 children and families each year across Illinois and Florida. Through our evidence-based and trauma-informed practices, we empower children and families to see and create a future where, regardless of their past, they can reach their full potential. Our Mission One Hope United serves and advocates for the thriving of children, youth, and families through quality early childhood education, residential care, child welfare, and mental health services. Our Vision One Hope United seeks to advance child and family services through effective evidence-based practices, policy that focuses on nurturing healthy families, and partnerships that extend its reach.

Cornerstone Services provides progressive, comprehensive services to people with disabilities promoting choice, dignity, and the opportunity to live and work in the community. Since 1969 Cornerstone has been a leader in meeting the unique needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses, physical disabilities and sensory impairments. Cornerstone is licensed by state and federal agencies. We are an Illinois-based, not-for-profit organization which provides employment, community support, residential and behavioral health services through four program departments.

Right At School has been providing safe, fun, and meaningful extended day enrichment programs for more than a decade, and today we serve more than 35,000 students in 17 states across the country. Our after school, before school, and break camp programs give students a place to learn, play, grow, and most importantly—a place to BE A KID! Right At School’s mission is to inspire a love of learning, support schools, and give parents peace of mind. Our vision is to bring exceptional, affordable programs to as many students, families, and schools as possible. The core of everything we do is the team of amazing educators we have across the country, who bring their best to each program every day. So how do we build that team? We start with mission-driven people who want to help foster a love of learning while providing a safe environment for children to explore and grow. We hire local team members in each community we serve. Right at School could be a great fit for you if you are: - currently working in before and after school enrichment programs - an undergraduate or graduate student studying to be teacher - a paraprofessional or aide currently working in a school district - a full-time teacher looking for additional hours and income before or after school - a retired district educator or administrator seeking part-time work with students - experienced in working with children in education or care settings - looking for part-time morning or afternoon work and are passionate about making a positive impact in your community Right At School offers competitive rates (often 10% or more higher than average), a dynamic professional development program (including pay incentives for continued growth), and benefits that include free child care, 401K, Flexible Spending Accounts, and for staff that work 30 or more hours per week, health and dental coverage.

Casa Central transforms lives and strengthens communities with a special focus on Hispanics. Our network of services propels a diverse population of all ages toward self-sufficiency and a higher quality of life. Since 1954, Casa Central has delivered evidenced based, award winning programming in response to the needs of the Hispanic community. Through comprehensive, family-centered programming, Casa Central helps individuals build hope for the future while equipping them to achieve a sustainable, higher quality of life.