Having celebrated 25 years of services to households on the Northwest side of Chicago in 2014, Center for Changing Lives (CCL) celebrates a new milestone with an expanded community service center on Armitage Avenue.  Lissette Castaneda, CCL’s Community Engagement Coordinator, says, “Thanks to the services that CCL offers, community residents do not need to access financial services that are costly and exploitative.  CCL is now further embedded in the community to offer residents services that can change their financial circumstances and thereby, their lives.” In 2014, nearly four hundred community residents increased their net income, net worth or their credit score.

Through one on one coaching on career, finances and resource development and numerous classes, groups and trainings, CCL is at the forefront of utilizing coaching and financial capability services to prevent and resolve episodes of homelessness.

Today CCL announced its move to the commercial space in the Zapata Apartments building, 1955 N St Louis Avenue, First Floor, Chicago, IL 60647. Zapata Apartments is a sixty one unit affordable housing development that was the longtime dream of community residents who fought for it with the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, the community partner, and Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, the developer.  The culmination of CCL’s move will be a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, January 28 at 8am at the new location.

Ellen Ray, CCL’s Executive Director, says: “CCL fought for six years to ensure Zapata Apartments became a reality due to the desperate need for affordable housing resources in our community. To see CCL, a connector of the people, resources, and opportunities needed to build a community where everyone thrives located in Zapata Apartments, a critical community asset, feels like coming full circle.”

Moving into a 3,740 square foot location, which is double the size of their last location, will allow CCL to continue to partner with individuals, families and organizations to bring financial services often reserved for those with means to those experiencing homelessness or a financial hardship. Through these services, families have greater capacity for choice, including choice among housing options, and new opportunities to focus on their long term goals and not simply their immediate circumstances.