Our Beginnings
Our Beginnings:
Mildred Franks Community Development Corporation has been serving Chicago since 1998 and received its 501(c)(3) status in 2002. The organization was founded in honor of Mildred Franks, the grandmother of our CEO, Mica Woods.
If you knocked on Mrs. Franks’s door looking for help or a friend, she always answered. Her house was always full of family, friends, and neighbors. She kept her kitchen shelves stocked with food and clothing for neighbors in need, and she babysat for working parents. She also welcomed families to live with her while they worked to better themselves.
“To Mrs. Franks, community leadership isn’t about who talks the loudest, it’s about who does the work, and she did the work.”
She never wanted public recognition. As she might have put it, “They call me Mama, but we need mamas all over the city of Chicago.”
Mrs. Franks led by example, inspiring others and epitomizing the revitalization of her community. The only thing she ever asked was that others do more to get involved in their own neighborhoods.
Her granddaughter, Mica Woods, inherited that spirit.
Mica goes above and beyond to help youth, individuals, and families with every resource she has, so they can become economically empowered.
TMFF
Mission Statement:
Our Mission is to strengthen underserved Chicago communities by delivering resources and support that improve quality of life at every stage, from youth and teens to adults and seniors, including returning citizens and those experiencing homelessness.
*Mildred Franks Community Development Corporation offers a holistically, integrated set of programming including STEAM infused Academic Enrichment programs, Evidenced-Based Life Skills Training programs, Workforce Development Training programs in high-demand/low-supply industries, Student Advocacy Programs, and Community Empowerment programs via our One-Voice/One-Dream initiatives. Collectively, we refer to these programs as From School to Life with wellness at the core...
Labeling Troubled and Troubling Youth: The Name Game...
Delinquent, Dropout, At-Risk. When Words Become Labels...
"Want to eliminate at-risk kids? Call them something else.'
Vision:
Mildred Franks-CDC Vision started out in the home of
( back then) Mica Hale: Mica provided Summer Programs to youth at 3600 blocks of Grenshaw, on the West side of Chicago (on the block she resided)The youth called her Ms. Mica: She had a 7 passenger van and lots and lots of love...
Mica was a single parent raising (3) three children of her own, she knew she had to keep her own children involved in positive activities if they were going to have any chance of surviving all the negativity that plagued their community. Every-day her children would bring their friends over; her children friends would ask to go everywhere she would take her own children... With her own children, their friends and relatives, she always had 10 to 15+ children easy daily... Ms. Mica did not mind because of the love she has for children and knew they were safe if they were with her...
MFCDC, Communication, Conflict resolution skills, Awareness of self and others...
These are the things that strong families – and strong individuals – are made of... Our Intercept expeditions help families with teens struggling at home or in school realize that they are not alone; they are in it together. More than just resolving destructive behaviors, these courses are designed to develop positive decision-making skills, strengthen interpersonal relationships, and cultivate a positive self-image... Compassionate instructors help students and parents find a healthy sense of boundaries so families interact more effectively with one another and the world around them...
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