Naperville, IL — Today, the leadership team of Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois (LCFS) announced they have finalized an agreement to bring 360 Youth Services under the organizational umbrella of LCFS. 360 Youth Services will continue to operate as a separate social service non-profit, retaining its name, mission, values, and services, but with LCFS providing administrative support and governance. Both organizations are committed to working together to strengthen and grow the youth and family-centered prevention, counseling, and housing programs provided by 360 to Naperville, Aurora and surrounding communities.
“Our organizations saw each other as a good fit because our missions, values, and commitments around being welcoming to marginalized youth are in such strong alignment,” said LCFS President & CEO Mike Bertrand of the agreement. “Having raised my family in Aurora, I’m aware of the incredible impact 360 has had in this community over the last 50 years, and I want this to continue. What made 360 attractive to LCFS is their preventative services because I believe we need to offer support to more children and families before they reach a crisis point.”
Together the two organizations already serve more than 5,600 young people and their families throughout Illinois, and hope to grow that impact. LCFS has a very strong commitment to serving older youth and currently they are one of the largest providers of services to adolescents in Illinois’ child welfare system. 360 is the only youth-specific service provider for young people experiencing homelessness outside of Chicago in the state of Illinois.
“Our programs and impact are strong, but as a small non-profit we’ve faced administrative challenges,” voiced 360 Interim Executive Director Dawn Melchiorre. “LCFS’ organizational support will allow us to focus on serving more young people and their families in order to fulfill our vision of a community where all youth possess the necessary skills to successfully navigate life’s challenges.”