Family Matters Chicago

Family Matters Chicago Preparing Leaders * Cultivating Connections * Illuminating Choices

Family Matters, located in Chicago’s North-of-Howard neighborhood, offers children and families unique personal development experiences that inspire individuals to find their place in the world and be a positive force for change. Utilizing our Principles of Leadership model, we partner with families to design experiential learning programs tailored to their specific needs and interests. Programs range in scope from tutoring and after-school activities for children and teens, to broader initiatives such as fitness, health, postsecondary readiness, and environmental stewardship. Family Matters offers safe surroundings in which individuals can explore, discover, take risks and determine their futures.

🌿 The Power of Mattering: Indigenous Peoples’ DayAt Family Matters, our 40th anniversary theme, The Power of Mattering, ...
10/09/2026

🌿 The Power of Mattering: Indigenous Peoples’ Day

At Family Matters, our 40th anniversary theme, The Power of Mattering, reminds us that every person, every story, and every community matters.

On Monday, October 12, Family Matters will be closed in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Programming will resume on Tuesday, October 13.

Today, we honor Indigenous peoples, their histories, cultures, traditions, and enduring contributions. We recognize the importance of listening to Indigenous voices, honoring lived experiences, and making space for stories that deserve to be heard.

As we celebrate 40 years of building strong relationships and meaningful connections, we are reminded that mattering begins when we recognize the value, dignity, and belonging of every person and community.

“We are still here.” — A phrase that reflects the resilience and enduring presence of Indigenous peoples.

10/02/2026

Thank you to our 2026 Walk-A-Thon sponsors. We are so grateful.

Today, Family Matters was part of a team presenting to the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association. We sha...
10/01/2026

Today, Family Matters was part of a team presenting to the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association. We shared updates about the One Howard Street corridor plan, a project that is noteworthy because it is the first time a plan has been created across two municipalities (Chicago and Evanston). Attendees learned in particular how members of the community were integral to making the plan, including teens from Family Matters!

👕 Walk #29 • 2018⭕ Community. Equity. Peace.👕 This Year's ShirtA heather grey shirt featuring Community, Equity, and Pe...
10/01/2026

👕 Walk #29 • 2018

⭕ Community. Equity. Peace.

👕 This Year's Shirt
A heather grey shirt featuring Community, Equity, and Peace in connecting circles—a visual reminder that these ideas are connected.

❤️ At Family Matters
Family Matters expanded Project RISE through One Summer Chicago’s Chicagobility program, creating summer work experiences for 20 youth.

The year also brought the beginning of plans for a cooperative microschool—a long-held dream centered on creating an educational environment that nurtures young people’s creativity and individual learning styles.

⭕ Community. Equity. Peace. Connection.

Every step mattered then. Every step matters now.

👕 Walk #28 • 2017💙 I Walk for Equity. I Walk for Community. I Walk for Family Matters.👕 This Year's ShirtA dark blue sh...
09/30/2026

👕 Walk #28 • 2017

💙 I Walk for Equity. I Walk for Community. I Walk for Family Matters.

👕 This Year's Shirt
A dark blue shirt carrying a powerful message on the back:
I walk for equity.
I walk for community.
I walk for Family Matters.

❤️ At Family Matters
As Family Matters celebrated its 30th Anniversary, the organization entered a new chapter focused on Building an Equitable Society.

New Mission, Vision, and Core Values statements were created, and youth development programs were realigned around transformative relationships, education, and leadership development—with greater emphasis on youth voice, exploration, and self-directed growth.

Family Matters also created opportunities for staff, Board members, and tutors to examine the everyday realities of racism and oppression and consider their role in creating change.

💙 Equity. Community. Mattering.

Every step mattered then. Every step matters now.

👕 Walk #27 • 2016💚 Every Step Matters❤️ At Family MattersProject RISE launched, giving teens opportunities for real-wor...
09/29/2026

👕 Walk #27 • 2016

💚 Every Step Matters

❤️ At Family Matters
Project RISE launched, giving teens opportunities for real-world work experience in areas connected to their interests, along with career development, mentoring, skills training, and career counseling.

Family Matters also launched Alternative to Suspension, creating a learning space for youth ages 12–19 during temporary school suspensions. Grounded in the Principles of Leadership, the program turned time away from school into an opportunity for reflection, learning, and growth.

💚 New experiences. New possibilities. New paths forward.

Every step mattered then. Every step matters now.

🚶🏾‍♀️ The Walk is this Saturday!
There’s still time to join a team, make a donation, or support someone who’s walking. Every step—and every contribution—matters.

Support Every Step Matters

👕 Walk #26 • 2015💚 Every Step Matters👕 This Year's ShirtA Kelly green shirt with blue and white lettering, carrying the...
09/28/2026

👕 Walk #26 • 2015

💚 Every Step Matters

👕 This Year's Shirt
A Kelly green shirt with blue and white lettering, carrying the Every Step Matters theme.

❤️ At Family Matters
IREAD merged with Family Connections, creating an enhanced literacy and leadership learning program designed for children with a range of learning needs, including struggling readers and English Language Learners.

The expanded Family Connections supported children ages 5–11 and their families, creating more opportunities to build literacy skills, confidence, and leadership.

💚 Every reader matters. Every learner matters. Every step matters.

Every step mattered then. Every step matters now.

👕 Walk #25 • 2014❤️ 25 Walks. A History of Mattering.👕 This Year's ShirtA red shirt featuring a tree with Family Matter...
09/25/2026

👕 Walk #25 • 2014

❤️ 25 Walks. A History of Mattering.

👕 This Year's Shirt
A red shirt featuring a tree with Family Matters milestones hanging from its branches. At the bottom: “Family Matters is founded with the creation of Family Connections.”

🌳 Rooted in History
The shirt told the story of Family Matters through the milestones that shaped its journey—from the creation of Family Connections to the programs, relationships, and community work that followed.

❤️ Every milestone became part of the story. Every step carried it forward.

Every step mattered then. Every step matters now.

👕 Walk #24 • 2013💜 Growing Healthy. Growing Curious.👕 This Year's ShirtA lilac shirt with white and yellow lettering.Sp...
09/24/2026

👕 Walk #24 • 2013

💜 Growing Healthy. Growing Curious.

👕 This Year's Shirt
A lilac shirt with white and yellow lettering.
Sponsors: Albank + Sharprint

❤️ At Family Matters
FEEL Fit became part of the fabric of every Family Matters program, bringing exercise, nutritious eating, mind-body awareness, and balance into youth development.

✨ EXcite-4-Learning launched through programs including Family Connections, using youth-guided, real-world projects to spark creativity, curiosity, and a passion for learning.

💜 Healthy bodies. Curious minds. Growing possibilities.

Every step mattered then. Every step matters now.

👕 Walk #23 • 2012👕 This Year's ShirtAn orange shirt with yellow and black lettering.🏦 A New Walk-A-Thon PartnerAlbank b...
09/23/2026

👕 Walk #23 • 2012

👕 This Year's Shirt
An orange shirt with yellow and black lettering.

🏦 A New Walk-A-Thon Partner
Albank became a Walk-A-Thon sponsor for the first time.

❤️ At Family Matters
Family Matters celebrated 25 years of growing relationships, cultivating young leaders, and building community in North of Howard.

🧡 25 years. Thousands of steps. One community moving forward together.

Every step mattered then. Every step matters now.

Address

7731 N Marshfield Avenue
Chicago, IL
60626

Telephone

+17734656011

Website

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