For more than 20 years, Enlace has worked to develop high quality, comprehensive services to improve the quality of life in our community. Enlace, first known as Little Village Community Development Corporation (LVCDC), has worked hand-in-hand with community members to offer programs, develop initiatives and build collective power.
In 2001, Enlace purchased a property on 28th and Harding for a staff of five people. Since then, the organization has grown to more than 50 full-time staff and more than 100 part-time staff and instructors. Over the years, Enlace has adapted its work to meet the priorities, needs and interests of the community. Today, through Enlace’s four interconnected focus areas—education, health, immigration and violence prevention—dedicated staff work directly with more than 8,000 youth and adults in Little Village. More than 20,000 community members are reached through the organization's various efforts, and the entire community benefits from institutional changes, space improvements, and collective impacts spurred by the organization.
In May 2017, Enlace began construction of a three-story 9,000-square-foot office and community space at 2759 South Harding Avenue. This new office space and community space will allow the organization to expand programs, and will also serve as a meeting and gathering space for the whole community, including youth in need of safe haven. The road to get here has been extraordinarily challenging, and its completion is a testament to the organization's growth, maturity and strength. The building is scheduled to open in 2019.
This year Enlace’s annual gala, Noche de Estrellas, will be celebrating our creciendo y construyendo (growing and building) organization and community, as well as the generosity of the individuals and institutions that help Enlace and community thrive. Noche de Estrellas will take place on May 16th, at the Chicago Teachers Union Hall, 1901 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60612 and we hope you can join. For more information about the event, visit www.enlacechicago.org/nochedeestrellas.