Metropolitan Family Services

Metropolitan Family Services is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency, founded in 1857 and based in the Chicago area. It works with more than 117,000 individuals and families each year, and employs over 1,000 staff across community centres in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs of Chicago and DuPage County. Its stated aim is to help families learn, earn, heal and thrive.

Education figures centrally in the agency's work. Its Early Learning and Head Start programmes provide early childhood education and learning support for young children and their families, while Economic Stability Services include job training connections and workforce support. Beyond education, the organisation runs mental health and behavioural health counselling (including support for seniors), the Legal Aid Society's pro bono legal services, Family Shelter Service for domestic violence survivors - including accompaniment through court proceedings - and the Employee Assistance Network, a workplace wellness programme.

The agency describes its approach as community-centred and collaborative, with staff working from community centres throughout the region and meeting people where they are. Team members are positioned as mentors, motivators and advocates rather than service providers alone. The organisation's website is metrofamily.org.