Home of Life Community Development Corporation
HOME OF LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (HLCDC) was organized in l 991 and incorporated on May 19, 1993 as a 501(c)3 not-for profit organization in the State of Illinois.
Home of Life has served the surrounding community since 1991 in the Social Services industry. Many of our clients are low-income families and children who come from single-family homes. Many of our direct and in-direct service staff members and independent contractors are certified in their profession and have many years of experience in their chosen field. We have Social Service workers, Child Care/Head Start Instructors, and Business Owners who are credentialed on staff. The areas of expertise ranges from Insurance, Real Estate, Banking, Ministerial, Affordable Housing Counseling, Childcare, Mentoring Youth Service Programs and Social Work. Home of Life has linkages/partnerships with various community organizations that work with this population and are willing to assist us in our endeavors.
Some of the e organizations are the Safer Foundation, Department of Human Serv ices , Department of Children and Family Services, New York Life, State Farm, City Colleges of Chicago, CAPS, Westinghouse H.S., Marshall H.S. Austin H.S. also the surrounding area grammar schools , US Bank , Austin Bank First Bank of Oak Park North Lawndale and Shore Bank, State Board of Education , Department of Insurance , The Department of Children and Youth Services, Chicago Public Schools and Community Partnership Programs.
HLCDC has placed over 300 students in the Summer Employment with the Mayor ' s Office of Workforce Development and various community agencies. HLCDC provided Life Readiness Skills and Job Placement to 75 students age 14 to 21 through an Empowerment Zone/Economic Communities Grant.
We also have a partnership with the Cook County Juvenile Service Program. Our New Beginning program which targets ex-offenders, truant and troubled youth, drug abusers etc. focuses on providing highly disciplined highly structured work and re-education for youth under the control of the Criminal Justice System. The Sadie Porter Positive Achievers Program focuses on mentoring and providing positive role models to its participants that are informed about the street gangs and drugs as well as educational information, prevention/intervention methods. The program also provides participants with activities that will help to promote self-esteem, educational and vocational awareness, teach them to interact with other ethnic groups and learn to plan ahead for the future. Home of Life has a partnership with the City of Chicago Clerks office where young adults complete their community service at our Madison street location. The Insurance Financial Job Training & Placement program completed its first class in 2004. 50 students successfully received their certificates and 40 became credentialed and licensed by the Illinois Department of Insurance.
MISSION
The MISSION of the Home of Life Community Development Corporation is to aid the development of the holistic person by providing supportive services designed to enhance the physical, mental, spiritual, nutritional, social and educational well-being of families. The services provided will improve the quality of life in the community and promote healthier and happier individuals.
OUR OVERALL PURPOSE IS TO:
- Provide cultural and social programs to youth.
- Promote a decent environmental atmosphere through the use of community development and rehabilitation programs.
- Provide educational support, such as scholarship awards to youth and adults who want to further their education.
- Provide shelter; feed the homeless and low-income families.
- Assist our clients in gaining the skills necessary for them to participate in chosen activities, access, and master new environments.
- Provide training and skills that will enhance personal functional efficiency that will increase the possibility of self-reliance.
- HLCDC is committed to meeting the needs of the community and neighborhood.
Home of Life Community Development Corporation runs two Daycare/Childcare centers for children the ages of 3 to 5 (Head start and State Pre-K) and an infant/toddlers daycare center for O month s to 2 years of age.
Both centers are licensed by the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services; approved by the Chicago Public Schools, Illinois Department of Human Services, State Board of Education and the Chicago Department of Human Services
The primary objective of the program is to provide a learning environment that supports children and families. The family is the first and most significant influence of the growth and development of the child. We view our role as partners with you in supporting the growth and learning process of your child from home to school.
The following are other programs Home of Life Community Development Corporation offers:
Community Development Program (CDP) The CDP program was established to develop abandoned properties in the immediate surrounding neighborhood. The program has a management team that searches for funds to recreate buildings that will attract low-income families and senior citizens. HLCDC will make it possible for low-income families to be able to afford the rental cost of these apartments.
Reverend Johnny Henderson Scholarship Fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide instruction and financial support that will assist young adults in obtaining their full potential in education. Education is the door leading to their achievements, financial security and personal satisfaction, perhaps to make the unexpected happen in places where hope has faltered.
Sadie Porter Positive Achievers Program (SPPAP). The SPPAP is a mentoring program which is designed to create provide positive roles models to its participants that are informed about the streets, gangs and drugs as well as educational information, prevention /intervention methods. It is important that youth have someone to talk with that can be objective without being judgmental. We provide participants with activities that will help to promote self-esteem, educational and vocational awareness, teach them to
interact with other ethnic groups and learn to plan ahead for the future. Our after-school component provides training and support services to assist our youth before and after school.
Youth Services. In cooperation with Chicago Public Schools and delegate agencies. HLCDC provides after school services such as homework assistance, mentoring and other innovative services to at risk
youth's ages 6-18. ln addition to the academic goals of the program, HLCDC seeks to teach our youth to
respect themselves as well as others, which is a part of our Vision for Youth Program. Selected youth participants also serve as youth team leaders.
Youth Services are funded through The Department of Children and Youth Services.
Youth In Motion. Focuses on areas of study or interest in addition to the citywide instructional program. They include:
- AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
- JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT
- BASIC AND FUNCTIONAL ACADEMIC SKILLS
- COMPUTER SKILLS
- DEVELOPMENTAL READING AND RECOGNITION
- INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
New Beginning. The essential objectives of this community service program are to provide a highly disciplined, highly structured work and re-education proves for young adults under the control of the Criminal Justice System. Over a five-year period, we anticipate the creation of 500 permanent jobs in depressed community areas for members of the offender population. Specifically, these jobs will be in the area of housing recycling.
Financial Services Training & Placement Program.
Students in this program will be have a job orientation & training in life readiness skills, basic job skills, involve each student in a mentoring program within the industry, assist students in success fully completing required licensing , involve each student in a one week intensive sales training class, assist each student in securing employment.
