In 1898, a small group of women met to plan charity work to serve local families in Oak Park, Illinois. From that initial meeting, Thrive became a trusted community partner in addressing homelessness, substance use, at-risk youth, and those living with mental illness. Since those early days and throughout its history, Thrive has been a progressive provider of community-based services, leading with creative solutions in suburban Cook County.
As a Community Mental Health Center, more than 85% of Thrive’s clients are Medicaid-insured or uninsured. Providing accessible, affordable care is a core Thrive value and a requirement of being a Community Mental Health Center. Thrive serves over 2,000 residents from from age six through adulthood in Cook County.
The following examples of progressive initiatives through the decades are exemplary of Thrive’s passion and excellence in the field of mental health care.
Thrive Timeline
1898 - A small group of women (now the 19th Century Club) meet to plan charity work that serves local families.
1911 - Oak Park Associated Charities forms as a result of the charity work.
1918 - Oak Park Associated Charities is officially incorporated.
1926 - Oak Park Associated Charities becomes a unit of the Family Welfare Association of America.
1935 - Oak Park Associated Charities joins Oak Park & River Forest Community Chest (budget $15,000).
Family counseling is offered to those affected by the Great Depression.
1948 - Oak Park Associated Charities changes its name to Family Service Association of Oak Park.
1951 - A “Fee for Service” system is enacted for Counseling Services.
1958 - Family Service Association of Oak Park changes to Family Service Association of Oak Park & River Forest.
1966 - The Drug Abuse Treatment Program is offered as a new service.
1969 - Youth Services are officially added as a separate set of services for youth and their families.
1971 - In-reach services begin at Oak Park & River Forest High School.
1972 - Family Service Association of Oak Park & River Forest becomes a mental health center and changes its name to Family Service & Mental Health Center if Oak Park & River Forest
Psychiatric Services and The Transitional Learning Center (TLC) are offered as new services. Counselors and local police departments form an innovative partnership to respond to crisis calls.
1974 - The Alcohol Abuse Treatment Program is offered as a new service.
1975 - The Community Care & Case Management Program is offered as a new service for older adults.
1982 - Runaway and Delinquency Prevention Programs are added to Youth Services.
Community Care & Case Management Program for older adults transitions to Oak Park Senior Services.
1986 - Emergency Housing Program is offered as a new service for homeless clients.
1988 - The ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs) Prevention Program is added to Youth Services.
The “Campaign 90” capitol campaign launches to raise funds for a new mental health center.
1990 - The Ray A. Kroc Center for Family Services opens at 120 S. Marion St. Oak Park, IL. The center serves as a new home for Family Service and Mental Health Center of Oak Park & River Forest.
Therapists begin providing services onsite at Oak Park & River Forest High School.
Alcohol & Drug Abuse Treatment Programs and Emergency Housing Program transition to other agencies.
The “Returning to our Roots” campaign raises $700,000 to strengthen the financial position of the center.
1999 - Diversion and probation programs are added to Youth Services.
2002 - In-home counseling is made available to older adults as a part of Counseling Services.
2005 - The WIN Program (outreach for homeless clients) is added to Client Care Advocacy.
The WCHIP Program (housing for homeless clients with mental illness) is added to Client Care Advocacy.
The “Building Healthy Minds, Families & Communities” campaign launches to increase endowment fund.
2009 - Family Service & Mental Health Center of Oak Park & River Forest changes its name to Thrive Counseling Center.
The Volunteer Center transitions onsite to T.E.A.M – a new volunteer program for those with mental illness.
Thrive Counseling Center begins offering counseling for youth living at Hephzibah Group Homes.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment (substance abuse & mental health concerns) is offered for youth at the center.
Rosecrance Oak Park Office (substance abuse treatment services) opens at Thrive Counseling Center.
2014 - Thrive opens for business on Saturday honoring the “Mike Brady Saturday’s for Success Program”
2018 - Thrive launches the Suicide Safer Community Program
2019 - Thrive launches “Thrive Talks” and the “Access 4 Youth” program launched to expand access to care for underserved youth
2020 - Thrive launches FREE Thrive Check-in Line during COVID-19 Crisis
2022 - Thrive was selected as an Illinois 988 crisis response center, building upon its 50 years of experience in 24/7/365 crisis response programming.
2023-2025 - Over two years, Thrive increases the number of clients served by 25%, passing pre-pandemic levels.