Our History
March 30, 1976 - Founding
Currently as (Ignite) is founded under the name “Transitional Living Process”. Michael Plecki is named Executive Director, and the agency hires its first residential counselor, serving wards of the state.
1979 - Getting Started
Currently as (Ignite) TLP hires its first masters-level social worker and becomes officially licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
1981 - Transitional Living Programs
Currently as (Ignite) TLP changes its name to “Transitional Living Programs” and begins offering emergency shelter, crisis intervention, and educational classes in areas such as job interviewing, assertiveness, and family counseling.
1983 - Street and Community Outreach
Currently as (Ignite) TLP begins its Street and Community Outreach Program. In partnership with Traveler’s Aid, the first outreach site is the Greyhound Bus Station in downtown Chicago.
1989 - Teen Living Programs
The agency changes its name from “Transitional Living Programs” to “Teen Living Programs”.
1991-1994
Expansion and Belfort House
Grows its programming further, offering services for substance abuse and prevention and opening Belfort House in 1994. Belfort is the first runaway and homeless youth residential program in the South Side of Chicago.
1999-2002
Milestones
By 1999, over 10,000 youth have been given assistance critical to their survival. Two agency health care clinics are opened, and TLP (now Ignite) becomes the only agency in Chicago exclusively dedicated to serving youth experiencing homelessness.
2003 - CaSSA
The Clustered-and-Scattered Site Apartment (CaSSA) Program opens, with 10 apartments for graduates of (now Ignite’s) Belfort House Program.
2005-2008 - National Recognition
and Belfort House Rebuild
In 2005, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services calls Belfort House a “national model” for programs working with youth experiencing homelessness. By 2008, work is finished on the new Belfort House at 3745 S Indiana, designed to better fit the needs of youth and staff and accommodate new programming.
2013 - Drop-In Center
TLP (now Ignite’s) Drop-In Center, now Drop-In Resource Center, opens in a church basement in Washington Park, serving youth on the South Side. Offerings include services and workshops such as housing placement, health care, child care, and life skills programming.
Ignite rents west side office space to grow reach and engagement.
Ignite is awarded a contract with the Youth Homeless Demonstration Project to develop an additional 30 units of apartment housing, growing Community Housing to 60 units in by December of 2026.
Ignite enrolls more youth in its history, 831 young people throughout all of its programs in Fiscal Year 2025.
Ignite receives a 2025 Chicago Innovation Award for its Community Housing model in the Social Innovation category.
Ignite begins its 50th Anniversary celebration July 1st, 2025.
2019 - 2025 A Brand New Chapter - Ignite
“Teen Living Programs” becomes Ignite. This change makes clear our commitment to sparking opportunity for youth on their journey to building a stronger future for themselves, and in turn, a stronger future for Chicago.
Ignite moves into the historic Rosenwald Building and leases professional (3,000 sq ft) space to operate its Community Hub and Drop-in Center. Open Mon-Fri, from 9am-7pm, youth can access a full spectrum of services.
Ignite launches a 5-Year Strategic Plan to achieve three goals: Deliver a model that meets all youth where they are and stays with them until they move into long-term stable housing.
Deliver services in all areas of Chicago where unaccompanied youth are experiencing homelessness.
Build organizational capacity to support innovation, recognition and build sustainable impact.
Ignite launches its one of a kind Community Housing Program that allows youth to grow with Ignite’s support for up to 5-7 (combined with Belfort House) years, depending on need.
Ignite begins outreach and preventative work with youth, 10-17, who are at the greatest risk of harm.
Ignite secures its first outreach bus to serve all neighborhoods in Chicago.
Ignite launches its Futures Capital Campaign to grow operational reserves and purchase Belfort House.
Ignite expands its youth education and employment programming (SPARKS) to serve over 80 youth per year, with regular classroom instruction, internships, and job placement.
Ignite grows Community Housing by 90%, adding apartments in West and South side communities.