About Us
What We Do
Association House was established in 1899 to serve as a community resource to help families help themselves. Association House programs have adapted with each changing era to meet the current communities’ needs. We have always focused on a core mission to offer services to economically disadvantaged individuals and families. We offer programs in both English and Spanish in three broad service areas listed below.
Association House has been a trusted community ally, anchoring communities in distress for more than 100 years. The House touches the lives of thousands of people each year, of all ages and of diverse ethnicities, one life at a time.
- Community Services
Our Community Services offer individuals and families opportunities to enhance their lives. El Cuarto Año, our alternative high school, gives dropouts a second chance. Emergency Services provides food, clothing, and other assistance to families in need. The Learning Place offers adult classes in ESL, Spanish & English Literacy, Computer Training, GED Preparation, and Citizenship Preparation. After School programs for children and teens offer educational and cultural enrichment and alternatives to gangs and violence. The Arts Program focuses on visual and performing arts activities as positive forms of expression. The Community Technology Center provides participants, staff, and the general public the opportunity to bridge the digital divide.
- Child Welfare Services
Finding a loving family for each child is the cornerstone
our Child Welfare services. From infants to teens, each
year hundreds of children are placed with nurturing families. We provide foster care placement, homebased counseling and adoption service assistance to children and families throughout Chicago.
We are currently recruiting families who are interested in sharing their homes with children in need. The process to become a licensed foster or adoptive parent takes approximately 4 to 6 months.
- Behavioral Health Services
Behavioral Health Services provides opportunities and activities for individuals with developmental disabilities and those challenged by mental illness. Clinical and therapeutic services in individual and group settings help participants lead independent and productive lives. Programs focus on the development and enhancement of daily living skills, case management and job readiness. Visions Addiction Recovery Program addresses drug and alcohol addiction as a health problem, which effects both individuals and their families. Services offered include a 12-step recovery program, parenting skills training and a number of counseling options.
- Learning by Association Community Technology Center
The Learning By Association Community Technology Center (CTC) is a community–based facility that offesr education and resources to individuals, families, or groups from the community at no cost to the user.
The Center is comprised of state-of-the-art technology including 16 PC workstations with Quickcams, two laser printers (one color, one black/white), and a flatbed scanner. The Technology Center is also equipped with 4 Apple Power Mac G4s for multimedia development. The computers are networked and connected to the internet through a DSL line for fast access to information.
Software available on the system includes Microsoft Office and extensive educational software for ages 6 and up, ACT/SAT test preparation, and English as a second Language.
The Association House Community Technology Center was developed in partnership with DePaul University and is funded by a grant through the U.S. Department of Education.
