A reflection on the $9.2M Groundbreaking for Chicago's Newest Homelessness Prevention Center.

Executive Summary

Getting a $9.2 million project off the ground isn't just about a capital stack or a zoning permit—it’s about  aligning uniquely human impulises.

When we broke ground on the new Care For Friends.community center in Lincoln Park, it marked the culmination of decades of staying the course. What started in a church basement in 1968 evolved into a sophisticated operation that bridges the gap between civic responsibility and direct service to our neighbors - and I worked on this building for over 16 years.

The lesson I learned is about the power of strong networks and persistent leaders. To move a project of this scale, you have to coordinate a complex group of state senators, local officials, church leadership, and donors. They all have unique needs, and visions - and people in many of the roles change constantly.

As much as I wished differently, I also learned you don't get big things done by sheer force of will; you get them done by creating a space where everyone feels they have a stake in the outcome. It's true in my Private Equity and board work, too - the most successful strategies are those that prioritize the human element.

Care for friends didn't just  build a headquarters; we built a permanent proof-of-concept for how communities can show up for their own.