Onward Neighborhood House

Onward Neighborhood House Analysis

Founded in 1893, Onward Neighborhood House (ONH) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational, economic, and support services to the Belmont Cragin Community Area in Chicago. The community, with a significant Latino population, faces economic challenges and lacks accessible education, healthcare, and basic needs.

The organization is deeply integrated into the community with 92% of its staff being people of color and 80% of its executive leadership being Latino. ONH has been serving the community for 20 years, demonstrating a strong commitment to its mission.

ONH offers a range of programs including early learning, adult education, and healthcare and food pantry services. The early learning program focuses on motor skills, communication, literacy, and social-emotional development for over 200 children aged 2-5, while the adult education program serves over 800 learners annually with professional skills development and various classes.

Moreover, the organization also operates a co-located healthcare clinic providing free primary care, labs, vaccines, and pharmacy services, as well as a food pantry distributing 5,000 lbs. of food to 250 families each week.

One of the notable initiatives is the Illinois Welcoming Center (IWC) for Immigrants and Refugees, which has served nearly 3,500 migrants in YTD FY2023, demonstrating the increasing need for such services. The center employs bilingual staff and has seen significant growth in referrals and crisis interventions since 2021.

Overall, ONH's comprehensive approach and deep community integration make it a compelling organization addressing critical needs in the Belmont Cragin area.