St. Vincent de Paul Center

Description

Seeking to end the cycle of poverty, Marillac St. Vincent Family Services strengthens, empowers and gives voice to those in need – in the Vincentian spirit of service – through education and comprehensive programs to build vibrant communities in Chicago.

Marillac St. Vincent Family Services has been serving the needs of the poor and working poor throughout the city of Chicago for 100 years. Sponsored by the Daughters of Charity, we provide vital programs and services in the areas of child development, social services, outreach to at-risk families and individuals, senior services and youth programs.

History

In 1915, members of the order of the Daughters of Charity opened the DePaul Day Nursery and Settlement House to care for the children of neighborhood women forced to work while their husbands served in World War I.

During 1923, a settlement house was built. By 1924, the rooftop playground was constructed so that the children could play outdoors. By 1938, two major brick sections of the center were built. In 1958, the gym was built and the Nearly New Shop opened.

In 1971, a playground on Halsted and Webster was added, and in 1972, the Senior Services Program began. Also in 1972, the settlement house merged with St. Vincent Infant Asylum, a 100-year-old residential facility for orphaned children. The merged facility was renamed St. Vincent de Paul Center. In 1975, the first Infant/Toddler Daycare Program in the city of Chicago was established.

In 1980, the renovation of the chapel created five new preschool classrooms and the Outreach Program was established. In 1986, the Young Expressions began providing art therapy for the children.

Throughout the decades, St. Vincent de Paul Center has responded to the needs of the community it serves by expanding its services and facility. In 2002, a new facility, located at Webster and Halsted, was constructed.