50 Years of Serving Neighbors

Since 1975, People’s Resource Center (PRC) has been bringing neighbors together to respond to hunger and poverty in DuPage County.

Over 22,500 DuPage residents rely on PRC for help each year. With a team of over 2,000 active volunteers, we offer basic services like food, clothing and emergency rent and mortgage assistance, as well as empowerment services like Job Assistance, Adult Literacy and Computer Training and more. All of our services are free to DuPage residents and YOU help to make that possible.

Here are some highlights of our 50 Years of creating community, together!

1970s (and prior)

  • PRC REC (Religious Education Community) begins work on what would become People’s Resource Center
  • Peace and Justice Center established to help refugees prior to PRC existence
  • 1975 – Founded by Dorothy McIntyre, Father Tom Payton, and the REC Group
  • Led local work on hunger, health access (dental clinic), homeless services
  • A two-car garage was modified to shelter abused women and children. This work led to what would become Family Shelter Service
  • Peace and Justice Center moves to house on Indiana Avenue in Wheaton, where REC could meet, food and clothing was stored and distributed to neighbors who needed them
  • Social services offered to neighbors who needed them; counseling available at the Indiana Avenue location
  • The need for basic medical services, especially for women, became a focus in the 1970s

1980s

  • Share the Spirit established (Lyn Conway)
  • Homeless Prevention Network
  • DuPage Community Clinic (Medical)

1990s

  • 1995 – Hired first paid staff
  • 1997 – Women’s Wisdom Art Program established
  • 1997 – Adult Literacy Program established
  • 1997 – Computer Training and Refurbishing Program established
  • Family Connections Program established
  • Fiscal Agent for Rent Money

2000s

  • Back to School Program
  • Kids Art
  • Direct Client Assistance
  • 2003 Dine Away Hunger Program begins thanks to Judy Bonelli
  • 2006 — Job Assistance Program

2010s

  • 2015 – Opened current Westmont facility on Chestnut Avenue
  • Care for Cars Program established
  • Financial Literacy Program established

2020s

  • 2020-21 – Acquired 2 lots adjacent to Wheaton building for future campus expansion
  • 2023-24 – Funding Campaign and Construction of 211 Building
  • September 23, 2024 – 211 Building opens to the public, along with the remodeled Wheaton Campus
  • February 18, 2025 – 211 Building Ribbon Cutting