Metropolitan’s Midway Center Celebrates Expansion with Ribbon-Cutting Event

Center extends human services reach benefitting Chicago’s Southwest Side communities

(Chicago, Illinois) – Metropolitan Family Services, an organization that has been “Mpowering” Chicago-area families with human services for more than 160 years, will be celebrating the expansion of its Midway Center, located in Chicago’s West Lawn community. The expansion will be marked by a private ribbon-cutting ceremony, taking place at the Center from 1 – 3 p.m. on Wed., July 26, at 3843 W. 63rd St.

The expansion was made possible by a $4.5 million dollar grant from the Illinois Capital Development Board, a state agency that funds capital improvements for state agencies and partners. Last year, Metropolitan’s agency-wide programming reached more than 117,000 clients, and its Midway Center served 12,763 clients throughout Chicago’s Southwest Side.

This expansion will expand the Midway Center’s ability to provide Southwest Side residents with a wide range of human services and legal aid.

“The urgent need for social and legal services in our communities continues to grow and evolve,” says Bryan Johnson, Executive Director of Metropolitan’s Midway Center. “The expansion of the Metropolitan Family Services Midway Center will increase our ability to serve people with behavioral/mental health services, domestic violence prevention, early learning programs, workforce development, and more.”

The renovated Midway Center, expanded from 13,700 to 20,700 square feet, is now able to provide services to at least 20,000 clients annually. Close to 100 jobs were created during the construction period. Post-construction, the Center now employs over 150 people in the community, creating an increase in jobs and financial support. As approximately 75% of the center’s clients are Black and Brown, nearly 70% are women, and many are lower-income, the Center’s expansion will help create lasting financial support and employment opportunities for many underserved members of the community.

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About Metropolitan Family Services

Since 1988, families at Metropolitan Family Services’ Midway Center have found strength and caring counsel to overcome incredible challenges. Metropolitan’s Midway Center, located on Chicago’s Southwest Side, is part of Metropolitan Family Services, one of Illinois’ first and best-respected human services agencies.

Metropolitan Family Services reaches 117,000 families and individuals annually through 10 community centers and multiple sites throughout Chicago, Cook and DuPage Counties. MFS meets those in its communities where they are, supporting and adapting to their consistently evolving needs with a range of holistic social and legal services. MFS’ services promote education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment. www.metrofamily.org

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