Founded in 2002 as a safe haven for youth to escape gang violence, the Peace Corner has grown, under the auspices of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, into a community center that provides employment services, GED class referrals, recreational programming, legal counseling, mentoring and tutoring. It started as a small storefront after-school program on Cicero Avenue, then moved in 2005 to Madison Street. The organization's current LEED-certified, modern building opened in 2011 and houses a computer lab, a fully-equipped classroom and a regulation basketball court under a green roof. The glass facade offers transparency and lots of natural light inside. Economical and durable materials and minimal finishes can be found throughout, with splashes of color.
