Metropolitan Family Services
| Motto | Amazing Strength |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1857 |
| Type | NPO |
| Legal status | Operational |
| Purpose | Humanitarian |
| Headquarters | Chicago, IL |
|
Region served
|
U.S.A |
|
Budget
|
US$ 33 Million (2008) |
| Website | Metropolitan Family Services |
Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) is a non-profit organization in Chicago. Through seven major community centers and public policy advocacy, Metropolitan serves low-income and working poor families.
The organization was founded in 1857 by a group of prominent Illinois businessmen, among them Norman B. Judd and John Kinzie. Under the name Chicago Relief and Aid Society, it became the first official charitable organization in Chicago. During the Civil War, the Chicago Relief and Aid Society formed a soldiers relief committee which provided aid to many of the wounded. Several of the committee members, such as Isaac N. Arnold, Mark Skinner, John Kinzie, Philip J. Wardner, and Joseph D. Webster, became national figures.
In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire consumed the city, leaving over 300 dead and over 100,000 homeless. The Society's board of directors formed a special committee to oversee the relief process. In addition to the $5 Million in donations that were received, thousands of tools, sewing machines and other equipment were donated to small businesses to regain their ability to produce goods, whereas 3,000 small and 5,000 large shelters were produced for the victims. Barracks were built in five locations throughout the burnt district and 64,000 smallpox vaccines were administered. According to statistics, between October, 1871 and May, 1873, the Society aided virtually half the population of the city when the fire broke out. Mayor R.B. Mason was quoted as saying, "I have deemed it best for the interest of the city to turn over to the CHICAGO RELIEF AND AID SOCIETY all contributions for the suffering people of this city."
In 1909, with the city population growing and the need for relief rising, the Chicago Bureau of Charities merged with The Chicago Relief and Aid Society to form the United Charities of Chicago. As United Charities, the organization became more active in the community in promoting progressive public polices and addressing health issues such as the Mothers Pension Law Act of 1911.
Though programs within the agency continue to be successful, the Great Depression proved to be the agency's greatest trial. The United Charities went from aiding 2,500 families a month in 1928 to over 33,000 by 1931. With the tension of the depression lessening through government intervention by the mid-1930s, the agency was able to focus more on the families it could best serve. In 1935, psychiatrists were hired to train the staff and the "Family Service Bureau" was established, allowing the agency to offer family consultation along with its relief efforts.
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