FamilyForward

About Us

Our mission is to strengthen low income northwest suburban families with school age children who are at high risk of homelessness, and sometimes already homeless, to achieve financial stability through mentoring, rental assistance and support services. The goal is to have families leave our 2 year program being able to meet their expenses, have increased income, and increased ability to make constructive decisions. FamilyForward (previously known as Faith Community Homes) was established in 2003 as an initiative of the Arlington Heights Ministerial Association. In 2013, Palatine Township invited us to start serving families in the Township. This began our expansion in the northwest suburbs.

The program consists of two primary elements; financial assistance for rent and case management and mentoring to help families budget and manage their resources, make realistic plans for the future, and especially to help them increase their incomes. Parents in need of increased education and training to gain improved employment are assisted in locating opportunities and support.

Since the establishment of FamilyForward in 2003, 85% of the families starting the program successfully completed the 2 years. Success is measured by their ability to pay their full rent on time, reduce or eliminate any debt they came to us with, and increase their incomes. The 15% who did not complete either dropped out voluntarily for various reasons, or were asked to leave due to lack of participation with mentors and case managers.