History & Mission

The mission of Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. is to empower, educate, and employ people to change lives and strengthen communities.

The agency was founded as a settlement house in 1919 by Ada Sophia McKinley, a schoolteacher and social reformer, who saw the need to assist veterans returning from World War I and African Americans migrating from the South. Currently celebrating its 100th year anniversary, Ada S. McKinley is one of the largest human services organizations in the country with an annual operating budget of $40 million, nearly 600 employees, serving more than 7,000 people annually at over 70 locations.  Services are provided 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, primarily in Illinois/Chicago with additional sites in Indiana and Wisconsin.

Ada S. McKinley has three primary areas of services:  Child Development & Youth; Employment and Community Support; and Behavioral Health & Clinical.  Services rendered daily include: tutoring, mentoring and college placement, foster care, residential, youth and family counseling, employment training and placement, and head start programs.

The vision of Ada S. McKinley is for all people to have the opportunity for education and employment.