History

We have grown to serve 20 communities in Southern Lake and Northern Cook County since 1930. For nearly 80 years we have been providing essential services and developing innovative programs in response to societal changes.

Here is a look at our growth throughout the years:

1930 – Highland Park Social Service Committee formed to provide concrete service to families devastated by the Great Depression

1936 – Legally incorporated as Highland Park Social Service Committee

1949 – Name changed to Family Service of Highland Park, services extended to providing counseling of social and emotional problems within a family

1951 – Counseling services expanded to Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Highwood and Deerfield

1964 – Satellite offices developed in central and western Lake County; named changed to Family Service of South Lake County

1967 – Barrington Area Family Service office established

1977 – First therapist hired specifically to serve the elderly

1981 – Full time geriatric specialist hired to serve seniors at the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Senior Center

1984 – First bilingual, bicultural therapist hired to serve Latino families

1992 – Services extended to Wheeling/Buffalo Grove through United Way funding

1993 – Employee Assistant Programs (EAP) developed for local employers

1997 – In cooperation with apartment management and city of Highwood, bilingual social workers hired to work with residents of North Shore Estates

1998 – Nuestro Center opens as family resource center for residents of North Shores Estates. Family Services' Wauconda office opens.

2000 – Family Service celebrates its 70th year and agency computerizes operations

2001 – Community organizer hired to work with Latinos in Highwood and Highland Park. Annual Harry Sexton Lecture Series initiated in honor of retired Executive Director, Harry Sexton. Board begins a strategic planning process.

2002 – Awarded funding as Lake County's provider of mention health assessment and treatment to seniors by the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging.

2003 – Awarded contract by Lake County Juvenile Court to counsel English and Spanish speaking youth and their families in diversionary program intended to prevent incarceration. Board adopts Three Year Strategic Plan.

2004 – Decreased revenues forced the closing of FSSLC's Waukegan office after 23 years of service to the community. Added bilingual (Spanish) capacity to senior mental health services and initiated a youth advocate service in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff . Nuestro Center , Latino family resource center, reaches an all-time level of 830 participants following a significant expansion in its space.

2005 – Board reviews and adjusts the Three Year Strategic Plan. Family Service Celebrates its 75th Anniversary.