Care for Friends will open community center in Lincoln Park

Local nonprofit Care for Friends recently celebrated the groundbreaking of its new community center at 530 W. Fullerton. Located midblock between N. Geneva Terr and N. Clark St, the $9.2 million project will be built behind the Church of Our Saviour. 

Designed by MKB Architects, the new building will include a commercial-grade kitchen, dedicated space for a health clinic, flexible/office space, restrooms, and multi-purpose space to provide services. When it opens, Care for Friends plans to continue operating in its current Edgewater site, Church of the Atonement, 5749 N Kenmore Ave. as well as restarting services in Lincoln Park. 

The nonprofit offers healthcare services like podiatry and substance use disorder clinics. During the pandemic it created a grocery-delivery service for students in marginal housing and their families. In addition to providing hot meals, the group seeks to connect guests to primary care, housing, jobs and services offered by partner agencies.

The development recently received zoning approvals from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The approved variations will allow for the reduction of the rear setback from 50 feet to one foot, the reduction of the rear yard open space from a required 1,197 square feet to zero, and to eliminate the four-foot ornamental fence along the street. 

Permits are in the works for the project and construction is expected to begin imminently. The community center is set to open in Spring 2025.