The Full Story
Who Are We
AWOFINC is a community-driven initiative built on the belief that neighbors can uplift neighbors. We serve families who lack access to the supplemental support systems that often make the difference between struggle and stability—offering educational, financial, and social resources that open doors to lasting success.
For more than two decades, AWOFINC has stood alongside families across Chicagoland, addressing critical needs and creating pathways to opportunity. We invite compassionate, service-minded residents to join us—because real change happens when a community comes together to support its own.
The management, staff and volunteers of AWOFINC respect the rights of individuals and are sensitive to the challenges that families face on a daily basis.
Our Programs
The current participants range in age from birth to seniors. AWOFINC programs take a holistic approach by providing services either directly or by referral that benefit entire families.
Such programs have included the Homework Center & Tutoring Program with access to computer labs for youth and seniors, local youth camps and retreats sites like (Youth Haven Ranch formerly located in Stockton, IL.)
The goal of the organization is to provide a safe environment for children and adults to take advantage of the many resources and services available to them through AWOFINC and partnering organizations.
Our Resources
AWOFINC currently serves the United States and operates mainly in Chicago and the far south suburbs. It is a diverse multi-cultural community of all religions, ages, and income levels.
The families that we serve are those that qualify at or below the poverty line as determined by the most recent Federal Government Poverty Guidelines. Nearly two-thirds of the children currently involved in the academic support programs have been placed in developmental reading, writing, or math classes at their schools.
These children are in need of supplemental educational opportunities (such as mentoring, tutoring, homework assistance, computer training), but their families are deficient in finances that are vital to pay for tutoring and after-school programs.
AWOFINC is fully equipped with access to multiple classrooms, libraries, computer centers, parks and gymnasiums.
Our Reach
More recently AWOFINC has formed a consortium of local social services organizations. It is anticipated that by the end of 2022 multiple organizations will form a family services network with a collaborative effort to further serve those who are in need.
In addition, AWOFINC will now be able to widen their mission with a wealth of experience. The organizations joining AWOFINC will support organizational initiatives and community partnerships.
AWOFINC supports a network of resource centers throughout three counties, staffed by qualified professionals, college volunteers from several area colleges and universities who provide an array of services to mostly low-income community residents.
Continuing Our Mission
In any AWOFINC local office, our staff assists the community with parent information and resources, violence prevention education and programming, veterans services, and other services; and our youth leadership project encourages youth to pursue a long-term career and life goals.
This organization has developed and matured and must expand their operations. AWOFINC is currently serving multiple households and individuals and they will now be able to support threefold the number of households with confidence.
AWOFINC will continue to create linkages, coalitions and partnerships with service organizations for the expansion of our mission.
