Chicago Commons

Chicago Commons Empowering communities to thrive. Quality early education, family support, and senior services. 🌟

Today we honor our Head Start Family Services team—the heart of our partnership with parents and caregivers. Their one-o...
04/08/2026

Today we honor our Head Start Family Services team—the heart of our partnership with parents and caregivers. Their one-on-one support, family goal-setting, and connections to vital resources help children arrive at school ready to learn and families ready to thrive across generations.

We’d also like to give a special shout-out to: Yuliana Torres (FWS), Gennesis Mizhquiri (FW), Arthur Webb (FWS), Carmelita Moreno (FW), Lizette Lopez (FW), Alexander Valle (FW), Maria Bahena (FWS), Leticia Muñoz (FW), Maryann Alejandre (FW), Shawntella Turner (FWS), Liliana Guardado (FW), Yaritza Salgado (FW), Sarah Meier (FW), Annie Garcia (ERSEA Manager), and Yomara Mata (FCE Director) for the care, commitment, and advocacy they bring to our families every day.

Our Adult Day Services (ADS) seniors participants visited One Stop Beauty School for manicures and a little extra pamper...
04/07/2026

Our Adult Day Services (ADS) seniors participants visited One Stop Beauty School for manicures and a little extra pampering, turning a simple outing into a day of connection, confidence, and joy. We are grateful to everyone who helped make our seniors feel special and seen.

Learn more about our Senior Services and the community we’re building together at chicagocommons.org.

Actor and West Side native Lil Rel Howery, known for his roles in hit animated movies like Dog Man, The Angry Birds Movi...
04/07/2026

Actor and West Side native Lil Rel Howery, known for his roles in hit animated movies like Dog Man, The Angry Birds Movie 2, and PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, joined Chicago Commons and Share Our Spare at our Nia Family Center in Humboldt Park to help kick off Dolly Parton's Imagination Library during National Reading Month. Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King, Illinois State Senator Lakesia Collins, Alderwoman Jeanette B. Taylor Candidate for 20th Ward, Chicago Public Library Deputy Chief Esmeralda Bueno, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services Division Deputy Commissioner Cerathel Burgess-Burnett, Bryan Stokes of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, and Share Our Spare’s Board Chair Eva Giglio of CME Group Foundation all helped underscore a shared message: every child, no matter their zip code, deserves books at home and the chance to fall in love with reading.

For the Chicago Commons community, this visit means more of our families will gain access to free, high-quality books delivered right to their doors—strengthening early literacy, supporting school readiness, and turning simple story times into powerful moments of connection between children and their caregivers. We are deeply grateful to Lil Rel, our partners, funders, and community leaders for visiting Nia Family Center and investing their time, energy, and voices in our children and families.

Acompañe al Family Hub de Chicago Commons el lunes 6 de abril para un taller presencial sobre bienes raíces, impartido p...
04/03/2026

Acompañe al Family Hub de Chicago Commons el lunes 6 de abril para un taller presencial sobre bienes raíces, impartido por los agentes inmobiliarios Carla Acosta y George Villegas.

📍 1100 W Cermak Road, 4.º piso
🕔 5:30 p. m. – 7:00 p. m. (las puertas cierran a las 6:00 p. m.)

En este taller enfocado en las familias, usted recibirá:
-- Una participación en una rifa para ganar una freidora de aire y una tarjeta de regalo de Amazon de $25
-- Refrigerios ligeros
-- Un espacio de preguntas y respuestas con expertos en el campo

📝 Es necesario registrarse. Siga este enlace para inscribirse ahora: https://bit.ly/4d14fre

¿Tiene preguntas? Comuníquese con Grisel Acosta, Asesora de Empleo, enviando un correo electrónico a [email protected] o un mensaje de texto al 872-262-1712.

Join us at the Spring Celebration: A Gala in Support of Chicago Commons on April 10, 2026, for an evening of connection,...
04/02/2026

Join us at the Spring Celebration: A Gala in Support of Chicago Commons on April 10, 2026, for an evening of connection, community, and impact—featuring live music by the Chicago Players. 🎶

Together, we’ll celebrate the families, partners, and supporters who make our work possible, and raise vital resources to strengthen opportunities for children, families, and seniors across Chicago.⠀
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🎟 Tickets are now on sale: https://bit.ly/4pYufq5 ⠀
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We hope to see you there!⠀
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Join Chicago Commons’ Family Hub on Monday, April 6th for an in-person real estate workshop with realtors Carla Acosta a...
04/01/2026

Join Chicago Commons’ Family Hub on Monday, April 6th for an in-person real estate workshop with realtors Carla Acosta and George Villegas.

📍 1100 W Cermak Road, 4th Floor
🕔 5:30pm – 7:00pm (doors close at 6:00pm)

At this family-focused workshop, you’ll receive:
-- Entry in a raffle for an airfryer and $25 Amazon Card
-- Light refreshments
-- Q & A time from experts in the field

📝 Registration is required. Follow this link to register now: https://bit.ly/4d14fre

Questions? reach out to Grisel Acosta, Employment Coach, at [email protected] or text 872-262-1712

We are proud to present the Donald L. Duster Leadership Award to Freddie Smith at our 2026 Spring Celebration. The Donal...
03/31/2026

We are proud to present the Donald L. Duster Leadership Award to Freddie Smith at our 2026 Spring Celebration. The Donald Duster Leadership Award honors an individual who exemplifies leadership, resilience, and a deep commitment to the mission of Chicago Commons; presented annually at Chicago Commons’ Spring Celebration (formerly the Spring Luncheon), it recognizes the powerful impact that leadership from within our community can have on children, families, and seniors.​

Join us on April 10, 2026 for an evening of connection, community, and impact, featuring live music by the Chicago Players. Together, we’ll celebrate Freddie and other remarkable partners—and raise vital resources to strengthen opportunities for children, families, and seniors across Chicago.​

Tickets are now on sale: https://bit.ly/4pYufq5

Week of the Young Child is almost here at Chicago Commons, and we can’t wait to celebrate with our children, families, a...
03/31/2026

Week of the Young Child is almost here at Chicago Commons, and we can’t wait to celebrate with our children, families, and staff! From April 11–17, 2026, we’ll be enjoying Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Fridaytogether—simple, joyful activities that highlight how everyday moments help young children learn and grow. Keep an eye out for more details from your center on how you and your child can join the fun in your classroom and at home.​
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La Semana del Niño ya casi llega a Chicago Commons, ¡y no vemos la hora de celebrarla con nuestras niñas, niños, familias y personal! Del 11 al 17 de abril de 2026, disfrutaremos juntos de Lunes de Música, Martes de Cocina, Miércoles de Trabajar en Equipo, Jueves de Arte y Viernes de Familia: actividades sencillas y llenas de alegría que muestran cómo los momentos de cada día ayudan a las y los pequeños a aprender y crecer. Esté pendiente de los próximos mensajes de su centro con más detalles sobre cómo usted y su hijo o hija pueden unirse a la diversión en el salón de clases y en casa.​

This year, we are proud to present the Lea Taylor Philanthropy Award to Macy’s, Inc. at our 2026 Spring Celebration. Thi...
03/30/2026

This year, we are proud to present the Lea Taylor Philanthropy Award to Macy’s, Inc. at our 2026 Spring Celebration. This award honors partners like Macy’s whose long-standing generosity and hands-on partnership have made a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of the children and families we serve.​

Join us on April 10, 2026 for an evening of connection, community, and impact, featuring live music by the Chicago Players. Together, we’ll celebrate Macy’s and other remarkable partners—and raise vital resources to strengthen opportunities for children, families, and seniors across Chicago.​

Tickets are now on sale: https://bit.ly/4pYufq5

Layla, age 3, explored with clay in her classroom at Chicago Commons Nia Family Center. She was especially intrigued by ...
03/27/2026

Layla, age 3, explored with clay in her classroom at Chicago Commons Nia Family Center. She was especially intrigued by the loop tool, a professional tool used to easily carve through clay. Clay is a versatile material that spans all the learning areas. In this case, Layla really demonstrated language and fine motor development with her proficiency with the loop tool, but the learning possibilities are endless. Here is a short vignette from the experience:

Layla: I did it!

Mr. Jesús: Tell me what you did.

Layla: I scooped out a dinosaur bone!

Mr. Jesús: I want to know more about your work.

Layla: I’m an ar-che-olo-gist

Mr. Jesús: I’d love to know more about an archeologist

Layla: An archeologist finds dinosaur bones.

Mr. Jesús: Tell me more.

Layla: An archeologist makes dinosaurs

Mr. Jesús: Do you make dinosaurs out of the bones that you find?

Leila: Yes… and.. (shrugs her shoulders) an archeologist does archeologist things.

Layla then would repeat her statements about her work, especially ‘An archeologist does archeologist things.’ Layla pronounced ‘archeologist’ more clearly with each time she said it.

If you’d like to learn how our Reggio Emilia–inspired classrooms use materials like clay to support children’s development, we invite you to visit chicagocommons.org.

We are honored to present the Graham Taylor Award to Elizabeth “Betsy” Barrett at our 2026 Spring Celebration. This awar...
03/26/2026

We are honored to present the Graham Taylor Award to Elizabeth “Betsy” Barrett at our 2026 Spring Celebration. This award is presented to individuals whose leadership, vision, and enduring commitment have shaped Chicago Commons in profound and lasting ways.​

Join us on April 10, 2026 for an evening of connection, community, and impact, featuring live music by the Chicago Players. Together, we’ll celebrate Betsy and other remarkable partners—and raise vital resources to strengthen opportunities for children, families, and seniors across Chicago.​

Tickets are now on sale: https://bit.ly/4pYufq5

We are proud to recognize Illinois State Representative Kam Buckner and Illinois State Representative Theresa Mah with t...
03/25/2026

We are proud to recognize Illinois State Representative Kam Buckner and Illinois State Representative Theresa Mah with the Champion of Change Award at our 2026 Spring Celebration. The Champion of Change Award honors leaders who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to strengthening communities and improving outcomes for children, families, and seniors at a systemic level.​

Join us on April 10, 2026 for an evening of connection, community, and impact, featuring live music by the Chicago Players. Together, we’ll celebrate leaders like Representative Buckner and Representative Mah—along with the families, partners, and supporters who make our work possible—and raise vital resources to strengthen opportunities for children, families, and seniors across Chicago.​

Tickets are now on sale: https://bit.ly/4pYufq5

Address

515 E 50th Street
Chicago, IL
60615

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(773) 373-5055

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Chicago Commons - Thriving Across Generations

Chicago Commons’ mission is to empower individuals, families, and communities to overcome poverty and systemic barriers, embrace opportunities, and thrive across generations. For 125 years, our programs have been helping children, families and seniors GO further to live richer, more fulfilling lives. From our first settlement house, we’ve centered ourselves in under-served communities to give our neighbors the tools and skills they need to reach their greatest potential.