Our History
South Central Community Services, Inc. was founded in 1970 by residents of the Chatham and Avalon Park communities
in response to a lack of mental health services for a growing number of children with emotional and behavioral disorders who were being excluded from the public schools on the South Side of Chicago. To meet the needs of this unique population, the South Central Community Health Service Organization (SCCHSO) was formed and a special education school established.
Operating from a storefront, SCCHSO expanded its services and purchased the closed Chatham YMCA, which was turned into a community center. By 1981, deteriorating economic conditions and increasing community problems and needs fueled a call for additional programs and services. That call was answered by SCCHSO. So numerous, diverse, and varied were the requests from the residents that SCCHSO had to increase its services and expand its mission. To reflect its evolution, in 1981, SCCHSO was renamed South Central Community Services, Inc. (SCCS).
Since that time South Central has blossomed into a major comprehensive social service agency, offering twenty-two (22) different programs and services from fourteen facilities located throughout the Chicago area and in East St. Louis, IL. Each year more than 5,000 residents, from babies to senior citizens, are beneficiaries of the services provided by South Central staff.
The primary Chicago communities South Cental serves are Avalon Park, Chatham, Englewood, Roseland, Greater Grand Crossing, Auburn Gresham, and South Shore. South Central also serves residents of St. Clair County in East St. Louis, Illinois. Based in some of Chicago’s and East St. Louis’, most destitute and disadvantaged neighborhoods, South Central’s staff of more than 100 continues to diligently address the myriad economic, educational, psychological and social challenges confronting its constituents.
The programs and services offered by South Central are: a Head Start Program; Day Treatment Elementary School; Day Treatment High School; Cermak Family Support Program; Outpatient Child & Adolescent Mental Health Program; Reclaiming Youth; System of Care-Chicago Program; Transition Services; Day Treatment Clinical Program; Child & Youth Investment Team (CAYIT); CAYIT-MSW Internship Program; Post Adoption; Project S.T.R.I.V.E.; Biddy Basketball League; A’s & B’s After-School Tutoring; Brag Club for Senior Citizens; Senior Recreation Services; BeBe’ P.H.A.T (Positive, Hip, and Trim). youth wellness program; Positive Youth Intervention Program; Wellness Center Programs; Summer Enrichment Camp; and the newest program, Family Advocacy House, in East St. Louis, IL.
The exemplary efforts of South Central have been recognized by the Sara Lee Foundation which, in 1990, honored South Central’s service to the community with its coveted Spirit Award. The legacy of quality services and commitment to the community plays a significant role in the Agency’s continued re-accreditation by the Council on Accreditation (COA); a national accrediting body; the North Central Association
Commission on Accreditation (NCA); and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
With the support of a 23-member Board of Directors, and under the leadership of Dr. Felicia Y. Blasingame, President/Chief Executive Officer, South Central has blossomed into one of the most effective comprehensive human service agencies in Chicago ...one that positively impacts and improves the quality of life for individuals and families.
Our CEO, Dr. Felicia Blasingame
South Central Community Services, Inc. is privileged to have an actively involved Board of Directors, whose time, talents, and expertise are geared to direct the course of this Organization through strict, yet sensitive policies; takes its financial responsibility seriously; and are mindful that our Mission statement is more than just words. Their commitment,
along with their individual and collective talents and encouragement, is invaluable. Additionally, South Central’s executive team, staff, and volunteers
have been incomparably faithful, steadfast, and forthright in their day-to-day delivery of quality programs and services. I am so privileged to have the opportunity to work with them as we address the myriad of needs in our communities through “Collaborating and Partnering for Change.”
During this fiscal year, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to launch five (5) new programs, they are as follows:
Family Advocacy House in East St. Louis, has served 68 families and 171 children since our Grand Opening on June 13, 2008. Family Advocacy House provides services that include parent coaching, referral
and linkage, counseling/therapy, as well as a 24-hour crisis hotline. The Transition Services program is a counseling and case management program, serving 100 youth with severe emotional disturbances who are 16-18 years-old and aging out of the child and adolescent mental health system. The Cermak Family Support program provides comprehensive
services and support to released female offenders who are primary caregivers. The Post Adoption program serves former wards of the State, ages 13 through 16, and is designed to reduce the number
of adoption disruptions and dissolutions and prevent the re-entry of youth into the foster care system. Additionally, the Bebe P.H.A.T. (Positive Hip and Trim) program is an innovative wellness program for youth ages 6 to 14 that focuses on teaching youth to develop a long-term commitment to adopting a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition and fitness training. We have received nothing but accolades relative to the operations of these new entities.
The Agency’s Wellness Center celebrated its 5th year anniversary and expanded its massage services to include five (5) additional senior residence facilities, providing on-site massage services to seniors through the Chicago Department of Senior Services. Also, two staff received certification to provide infant massage training to parents and caregivers and on-site massage services to infants. Swedish, deep tissue,
and chair massages, as well as reflexology, and nail care are also on the menu at the Wellness Center.
The Wellness Center also continued its focus on the rising epidemic of HIV/AIDS in the African-American community. Teens, ages 13 through 17, and women between the ages of 18 and 30, were the focus of this year’s education and outreach campaign. As a result of our community awareness program, 650 youth attended educational seminars.
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South Central Community Services
Administrative Office
8316 South Ellis Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60619
(773) 483-0900 - Fax:(773) 483-8090
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