Partners for Positive Change
Empowering Lives
Building Communities. Empowering Lives.
Partners for Positive Change (PFPC), formerly OCOC of Illinois, is a nonpartisan, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1987 by a group of faith-based leaders in Illinois. Our core purpose is to help troubled juveniles and indigent adults shed unlawful behaviors and become productive citizens, end homelessness, and promote youth’s academic advancement and personal growth.
We collaborate with social justice, law enforcement, corrections, and faith-based organizations to ensure healthy families, build strong communities, and improve public safety. We achieve this by promoting fair and effective policies, practices, and programs for youth and the indigent who are homeless or involved in the juvenile and criminal justice systems.
With over 582,000 Americans grappling with homelessness, including over 70,000 in Chicago alone, Partners for Positive Change recognizes the urgency of these challenges. Our efforts extend beyond mere statistics, as we acknowledge the hidden faces of homelessness, including those who find temporary refuge by “doubling up” with others. PFPC confronts these complex issues head-on by creating and facilitating worker-centric, relationship-driven, accessible education, training, and workforce development initiatives.
Partners for Positive Change is a strategic partner to builders, developers, law and social justice organizations, and education institutions. We collaborate with government agencies and employers to help workers access good jobs and spark positive social change. We also help preserve communities and promote a culture of empowerment that invests in people and honors experience, culture, diversity, and inclusion.
Gerald Hamilton, Chicago Police Detective (Ret.) & Foster Care Trailblazer
Hamilton House Supports is the flagship initiative of Partners for Positive Change (PFPC), named in honor of esteemed retired Chicago Police Detective Gerald Hamilton—a lifelong advocate for youth, community safety, and social justice.
For over three decades, Detective Hamilton has opened his home and heart to more than 200 foster youth, becoming a transformative figure in Chicago’s foster care landscape. His unwavering commitment has been recognized by both UCAN and PFPC, which continue to honor his impact on generations of young people seeking stability, purpose, and opportunity.
Hamilton House stands as a living tribute to his legacy. As a safe haven and job-readiness hub, it anchors PFPC’s innovative workforce initiative designed to empower unskilled and homeless individuals.
Through a structured workforce development model, participants gain hands-on experience in construction, rehabilitation, and property development—advancing both their personal growth and the broader community’s revitalization.
Detective Hamilton’s story has inspired many, and his voice remains vital to the public dialogue around equity and reform. In 2024, he was featured in a compelling WBEZ Radio interview about his life, his work with PFPC, and his enduring commitment to youth development. 🎧 Listen to the interview here
He also spoke with WBEZ in 2018, where he candidly addressed the critical need for police diversity and community trust to reduce violence and unsolved homicides in Chicago.
Hamilton House Supports was made possible in large part due to the trailblazing leadership of Reanetta Hunt, a lifelong champion for at-risk youth.
Hunt’s visionary work with both Illinois One Family One Child and Partners for Positive Change created the foundation for programs like HHS to thrive. Her focus on community-based solutions and her hands-on engagement with foster care, housing, and employment pathways remain central to PFPC’s mission today.
Together, Detective Hamilton and Reanetta Hunt exemplify what it means to lead with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the power of second chances.
Together, Detective Hamilton and Reanetta Hunt exemplify what it means to lead with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the power of second chances.
Hamilton House provides life-changing solutions for homeless workers through collaborative efforts. For program participants at every level, Hamilton House truly is “A Place Called Home.” Located on Chicago’s South Side, it serves as a haven for individuals experiencing homelessness and youth in foster care.
Partners for Positive Change and Hamilton House collaborate with local developers at construction sites and residential buildings, helping to maintain neighborhood safety by keeping communities and properties clean, safe, and free from debris. PFPC workers are not only afforded life-sustaining employment, but they also play a vital role in protecting properties from vandalism and crime. Newly renovated homes and apartments serve as temporary residences for homeless individuals during leasing or selling vacancies, allowing them to enjoy a safe place to stay while earning a living wage.
Foster Care Services
Homeless Assistance
Partners & Mentors
For over 40 years, Partners for Positive Change (formerly Illinois One Family One Child) has been a beacon of hope for youth in Illinois’ foster care system. Recognized by the U.S. Congressional Coalition on Foster Care, PFPC has successfully placed hundreds of children, including hard-to-place teens, in loving, permanent homes.
In collaboration with WPD Management and other Chicagoland developers, PFPC provides meaningful employment opportunities to individuals experiencing homelessness. Our team handles tasks that many prefer to avoid, including packing, cleaning out squatter-occupied buildings, clearing basements, and maintaining hallways.
PFPC offers life skills development, tutoring, and mentorship to K-12 students across the U.S. Through a partnership with HMMG Consulting, students are connected with successful, caring adults who provide guidance and support to navigate life’s most significant challenges, including truancy, restorative justice, and academic achievement.
National Online Mentoring Services
Partners for Positive Change is committed to empowering underprivileged youth by providing comprehensive educational support, including online tutoring, mentoring, and mental health resources.
Our online tutoring services are tailored to help students excel in challenging subjects such as literature, math, civics, science, technology, and history. Through personalized guidance, we aim to deepen students’ understanding of essential academic and social concepts, supporting their journey toward academic success.
At the high school level, we emphasize topics such as sociology, public speaking, and social justice, while encouraging the development of strong writing and debating skills. We also promote the use of technology and social media as valuable learning tools.
Beyond academics, we connect our students with accomplished Black American role models who serve as mentors, inspiring them to reach their full potential.
Our mentors not only inspire students but also empower them to reach their full potential. Through a comprehensive curriculum, we offer a wide range of tutoring and mentoring courses, complemented by literary resources that broaden students’ knowledge and provide practical strategies for mastering various subjects.
We prioritize our students’ mental well-being by ensuring they have access to essential mental health services and connecting them with resources to effectively manage their mental health.
Our ultimate goal is to share inspiring stories and resources from successful individuals, motivating students to become exemplary citizens and dedicated scholars. By fostering meaningful growth, we positively impact both their academic journey and personal development.
I’ve supported this program for more than three decades. The care it provides to Chicago’s foster children, at-risk youth, and people experiencing homelessness is exceptional—and essential to our community.
Our Partners & Sponsors
