As demand for basic assistance rises and public funding becomes less predictable, nonprofits providing essential services are filling the gaps. That was the clear message from leaders of four of Chicago’s largest social-service organizations at a panel hosted by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Their conversation reflected a broader reality playing out across […]
Since its founding in 1857 as The Chicago Relief Aid Society, Metropolitan Family Services has become a cornerstone of support for families across Chicago, offering vital resources that empower individuals to overcome life’s greatest challenges. Whether helping a single mother access childcare while she pursues a college degree or guiding a family through the legal […]
Effectively operating in the nonprofit sector — specifically, working hand-in-hand with some of our most vulnerable community members — requires the ability to meet people where they are at, and an eagerness to offer assistance as opposed to passing judgment. This mentality has guided Ric Estrada, CEO of Metropolitan Family Services (MFS), who has served […]
Within Chicagoland is a network of organizations, businesses and nonprofits that all aspire to do good for the larger community. Partnerships between these institutions are imperative, but what’s the best way to foster and sustain them, maximizing impact for all? To answer this question and more, Make It Better Media Group hosted a virtual discussion […]
Editor’s Note: Some names have been changed to protect identity. Daniel is 77 years old and lives alone at an independent senior apartment building. Though he is alert and oriented, his self-neglect manifested in his lack of housekeeping. As his living conditions deteriorated, the Adult Protective Services program at Metropolitan Family Services’ Skokie Valley Center […]
The multi-pronged aid offered by Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) is near and dear to Ric Estrada. Since March 2011, CEO has preceded Estrada’s name, but his roots are not unlike those of the 93,000 Chicagoans served by MFS, most of whom are working poor or lower-middle class. Estrada, a Mexican-American immigrant, grew up in a […]
Metropolitan Family Services Evanston/Skokie Valley held this year’s Spring Fever benefit on April 21. The event brought 150 guests to the Evanston Golf Club to honor former Evanston Mayor Jay Lytle and his wife, Bonnie, for their continued support to Metropolitan’s mission and efforts. The Family Support and Prevention Program was also highlighted for its strong […]
People often think about charity in terms of the tangible, like donating old coats or collecting canned goods—but Metropolitan Services does much more than that, and you can be part of it at their holiday celebration on Dec. 4. But what about intangible needs, like counseling for a family with an out-of-control teen? “We have […]
