Stability Starts
With Support
At Franklin Community Services (FCS), we believe every strong future begins with a foundation of consistent, compassionate support. We meet individuals and families where they are, offering accessible resources, practical guidance, and community centered programs that help improve academic performance, strengthen relationships, and secure meaningful and lasting employment. Our programs make a real difference, are effective, and deliver meaningful results because we come from the communities we serve and understand their needs firsthand.
The FCS Mission…
FCS strengthens Chicago families and youth by providing comprehensive support that promotes stability, wellness, and opportunity. Our mission is to support the whole person through education, skills building, healthier relationships, and career development so that individuals can create lasting progress and long term independence.
Strengthening Lives Through Connection & Community…
Our team is dedicated to changing lives by helping youth do better in school, strengthening family dynamics, and connecting residents to the resources that open doors to new opportunities. We work directly with people in their everyday environments, offering practical guidance, encouragement, and follow through. Whether it is improving grades, resolving conflicts, or finding pathways to employment, our team helps individuals take meaningful steps forward and experience real growth in their lives.
Focusing on outcomes that matter with personal, proven, and consistent support…
Our team shows up in the spaces where youth and families actually live, learn, and struggle, making our services practical rather than distant or theoretical. We focus on outcomes that matter - that truly change lives. Unlike programs that touch lives briefly, FCS walks alongside people for the long haul, helping them solve everyday problems and build habits that lead to long term success. Families trust us because we listen, follow through, and care deeply about the people we serve, and that commitment drives meaningful change in our communities.
Our Services
Youth Mentorship
& Development
We provide youth with consistent mentorship, academic support, and guidance that helps them succeed in school and in life. Our team works closely with young people to improve grades, build positive decision making skills, strengthen communication, and set goals they can realistically achieve. Through real relationships, mentorship, and hands on support, we help youth stay engaged in school, navigate challenges, and gain more confidence.
FCS works hand-in-hand with schools, churches, organizations, and local leaders to deliver meaningful, neighborhood-level impact. Meeting residents where they are allows us to provide consistent care rooted in trust, dignity, and open access.
Violence Intervention
& Prevention
Our violence intervention work focuses on helping individuals resolve conflicts, avoid high risk situations, and develop healthier relationships. We meet youth and families where they are, providing crisis response, mediation, and practical strategies that reduce harm and promote safer choices. By offering immediate support along with ongoing follow up, FCS helps individuals break cycles of conflict and stay connected to resources that offer alternatives to violence.
Community Building
& Engagement
FCS strengthens communities by bringing residents, partners, and families together through meaningful activities, events, and outreach efforts. From resource fairs and wellness workshops to family support sessions and neighborhood gatherings, we create spaces where people can connect, access support, and feel valued. These engagements help build trust, deepen relationships, and ensure that families know they are not navigating challenges alone.
Measurable Growth.
Tangible Results.
“Every day I see young people and families who just need someone to believe in them and walk with them through the hard moments. Our work is not about programs or checklists. It is about showing up, listening, and helping people discover what they are capable of. When we do that, lives change in ways that inspire me every single day.”
— Robert L. Franklin III, Co-Founder & President
About Our
Co-Founders
Franklin Community Services was founded by Robert L. Franklin III and Stacey E. Franklin, two lifelong community advocates committed to uplifting Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods. Raised in communities where families often struggled with limited access, support, and opportunities, they witnessed firsthand the challenges that can disrupt a person’s path. Drawing on decades of experience in business leadership, property management, youth development, transportation services, and mental health focused community work, Robert and Stacey built FCS as a trusted resource grounded in compassion and empowerment.
Robert Franklin III,
President
As President of Franklin Community Services, Robert leads with a strategic vision centered on expansion, supportive housing development, and long term sustainability. His background in community outreach and neighborhood improvement has shaped FCS into a growing force for change across Chicago. Robert’s commitment to strengthening communities continues to guide FCS’s mission and deepen its impact citywide.
Stacey Franklin, Executive Director
As Executive Director, Stacey oversees the daily operations of FCS, ensuring that every program provides meaningful structure, dignity, and real support to youth and families. With more than 15 years of executive leadership and hands-on community advocacy, she leads mental health and wellness initiatives, family support services, and youth development programming with clarity and passion.