The History of the Family Service of Glencoe 1914-present
For almost 100 years, through many names and iterations, the Family Service of Glencoe mission has been that a vibrant community depends on the health and well-being of its families.
1914: Establishment of Glencoe Relief and Aid Society
Family Service of Glencoe began as the Glencoe Relief and Aid Society in 1914. It was in this year that the new agency rallied Glencoe residents to support a family whose house had burned down.
1915: Inclusion of Basic Health Care
In 1915, the Glencoe Relief and Aid Society expanded its focus from emergency assistance to include health care. The agency hired a visiting nurse to respond to the poor health care available in the village. The nurse made home visits, examined school children and, over time, took on the role of community health educator. She also reached out to those in need.
1934: Increased Public Involvement
In 1934, the Board of the Glencoe Relief and Aid Society spun off a number of its functions to other organizations and, in the process, helped to promote increased public involvement with the provision of social services. The Board voted for the formation of a Glencoe Community Chest, the forerunner of the United Way, which then took over most of the agency's financial support. However, the Relief and Aid Society still met emergency needs and financially carried the interim cases, and it continued to visit not only families who had sick members or who were in trouble, but also families new to Glencoe.
1957: A Shift to Fee-Based Counseling
A rise in the standard of living during the post-war boom dictated less need for material aid. By 1957, the agency's case load more than tripled as it devoted more of its efforts to counseling services. The Glencoe Relief and Aid Society was accepted as a member of the Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago and, in a major policy shift, began operating on a fee for service basis with a sliding scale of charges so that families could pay according to their ability. The growing staff moved to specially designed quarters in the then-new Glencoe Village Hall, which remains Family Service of Glencoe's present location.
1963: Glencoe Relief and Aid Society Becomes Family Counseling Service of Glencoe
In early 1960's, the vast majority of cases handled by the Glencoe Relief and Aid Society involved personal adjustment issues and inter-personal relationships. To more accurately describe this continuing function, in 1963, the agency changed its name to Family Counseling Service of Glencoe.
1969: Increased Demand for Counseling
By 1969 more part-time professional staff was hired to keep up with the increasing demand for individual, marital, group and family counseling.
1970: New Programs and Formalization of Relationship with Public Safety
Continuing its tradition of developing new services to address emerging community needs, Family Counseling Service of Glencoe was instrumental in creating the Glencoe Youth Services and the Junior High Programs. Also, the existing relationship with the Glencoe Public Safety Department was formalized so that agency staff regularly offered consultation and education services to help Public Safety deal with domestic and mental health emergencies. A "youth-at-risk" program funded by New Trier Township helped address juvenile delinquency. Service to senior citizens, an FCSG tradition from its earliest days, blossomed with the agency screening applicants for Senior Housing Assistance, instituting a vigorous program of case-finding, and home visiting.
1990: Creation of North Shore Drop-In
During the 1990's the North Shore Family Drop-In Program was created for parents and caregivers and their children 0-5 years of age. This program was facilitated by an early childhood specialist who met weekly with parents to discuss parenting and child development issues. A monthly speaker talked about relevant topics chosen by the participants. This program was discontinued when there was no longer demand for it.
1994: Provision of Crisis Intervention Services to Public Safety
In 1994, Family Counseling Service of Glencoe further solidified its relationship with the Glencoe Public Safety Department, providing crisis intervention services to the Department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Public Safety, in turn, started to refer to FCSG families and individuals who members of Public Safety believed would benefit from therapy, counseling or other community resources.
1997: Family Counseling Service of Glencoe Becomes Family Service of Glencoe
With individual, couples and family therapy being the core, and the broader range of services now offered, in 1997, the Agency changed its name to Family Service of Glencoe. Funded by the Village, New Trier Township and Glencoe United Way, along with community groups such as Glencoe Union Church, St. Elisabeth Episcopal Church, the PTO and Women's Library club, FSG also derived its support from client fees and fundraising.
2006: Establishment of Glencoe Youth Council
After witnessing a marked upswing in Public Safety Crisis cases involving teens, Family Service of Glencoe convened the Glencoe Youth Council.
After Almost 100 years
Throughout the almost 100 year history of Family Service of Glencoe, its talented and dedicated staff members have helped shape and serve the Glencoe community in many ways. The agency is continually striving to strengthen all of the individuals in the community and make Glencoe stronger.
Photographs are the property of the Glencoe Historical Society.
