Howard and Evanston Community Center

The Adult Education program supports adult learners in enhancing their reading, writing, mathematics, English language proficiency, digital literacy, and other crucial skills. The program aims to empower students by equipping them with the literacy skills required to confidently navigate the workforce, training programs and higher education opportunities. By acquiring these skills, individuals can embrace self-sufficiency and embark on successful journeys towards personal and professional fulfillment.

The domestic violence program provides a safe and secure environment where survivors can access comprehensive support services to free themselves from abuse, restore confidence, cultivate relationship skills and find healing. With this program, individuals benefit from a range of vital resources, including case management, counseling and court advocacy services. Families engage in educational and supportive group activities while receiving personalized services tailored to their needs. The goal of this program is to foster nurturing environments by offering educational, preventive, and supportive services to disrupt the cycle of violence and cultivate healthy relationships among individuals, families and communities.

The food pantry operates twice per week and is a client choice pantry, which gives the client control over what foods they take home to their families. Not only does a client choice pantry cut down on food waste, it also provides an opportunity to interact with each client to learn about their food and health needs. The goal of the food pantry is to provide nutritious food to individuals and families in need, while empowering our clients to become self-sufficient and connect them to additional resources in the community.

The early learning programs, Head Start and Early Head Start, offer a comprehensive range of programming, encompassing play-based education, health and safety, mental well-being, nutrition, disabilities support and active parent involvement. To ensure effective management and decision-making, our program operates under a participatory model, with shared governance. This means that our Parent Policy Council plays a vital role in informing and contributing to important decisions made by our administration, including the Board of Directors, Executive Director, and Program Director. Together, we strive to create an environment that nurtures the holistic development and success of every child while promoting strong family engagement.

We provide a range of services for young individuals, including after-school programs, case management, and wraparound services. At the Clubhouse Tech Center, youth have a safe space to explore their interests, enhance their technological skills, and gain confidence. Our programs also promote STEAM accessibility for underrepresented groups. The HACC Promise Scholar Program offers financial assistance of up to $10,000 per year to support first-generation college-bound students. The Howard Area Reading Program (HARP) provides one-on-one tutoring to at-risk 2nd to 4th graders, following a long-standing successful literacy model.

The Reentry Support Services Program and Employment Resource Center is dedicated to assisting adults in their journey towards job readiness and employment. We recognize the unique challenges faced by individuals reintegrating into society after prison, particularly those with multiple needs. We offer opportunities specifically designed to support their successful reentry, including comprehensive employment assistance and support services. The goal of this program is to empower individuals impacted by the criminal justice system as they successfully reintegrate into their community by securing and sustaining meaningful employment.