Board of Directors

Save to Favorites

We are now seeking new board members who believe in our mission and want to become involved in a board leadership capacity of the Care For Friends. Partnering with the newly appointed Executive Director, board members will be warmly welcomed. A brief background follows:

In the Summer of 1968, a local church opened its doors to shelter young people from the violence surrounding the Democratic National Convention riots in Lincoln Park. In the ensuing decades, this support from a single organization has blossomed into a wide-ranging network of strong community partnerships that have come together to support Chicago's most vulnerable, which we have come to identify as our Friends.

Together, this diverse network of strong connections provides a wide range of services which are organized and formalized under the umbrella of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2012. Initially known as the 530 Fullerton Foundation, the organization rebranded in 2016 as Care for Friends to better describe the scope of services we offer.

Our flagship program is "Food for Friends" - where we create a safe space for anyone requiring a meal to gather in community for a no-cost hot lunch served in the sit-down, family style with dignity and respect.

More than simply a cafeteria-style approach to food service, we intentionally invite our guests into our space for an hour and a half before the meal is served, so that they can create community and live out their human need for connected engagements with one another.

Other services are available during this gathering time, including haircuts, a health clinic, clothes closet, and toiletries distribution. Additionally, representatives from our various partner organizations begin to make connections with our guests - establishing trusting relationships that will ultimately allow our guests to connect with the services they need to achieve a better quality of life.

Our flagship program is "Food for Friends" - where we create a safe space for anyone requiring a meal to gather in community for a no-cost hot lunch served in the sit-down, family style with dignity and respect.

More than simply a cafeteria-style approach to food service, we intentionally invite our guests into our space for an hour and a half before the meal is served, so that they can create community and live out their human need for connected engagements with one another.

Other services are available during this gathering time, including haircuts, a health clinic, clothes closet, and toiletries distribution. Additionally, representatives from our various partner organizations begin to make connections with our guests - establishing trusting relationships that will ultimately allow our guests to connect with the services they need to achieve a better quality of life.

Care for Friends relies completely on contributions to support their work.

There is no government funding and all the issues of delayed payments, etc.

If you like what you have read so far, call or email our Executive Director today to find out more.