The Carole Robertson Center for Learning (CRCL), a longtime nonprofit anchor in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, sought to transform its aging facility into a modern environment that better supports its mission to educate, enrich, and empower children and their families. In addition to early childhood classrooms, CRCL provides literacy programs, home-visiting services, parent-support resources, and affordable after-school care.

The renovation addresses critically deferred maintenance while reimagining key instructional, play, and support spaces. Improvements include updated finishes, millwork, and fixtures, as well as renewed exterior elements. A fully modernized commercial kitchen now prepares fresh meals onsite and supports food production for CRCL’s two additional locations. Organized by age group—from infants and toddlers to prekindergarten and school-aged children—the renewed facility includes a gymnasium, library, gross-motor room, outdoor play areas, family resource spaces, and staff work areas.

The project is supported by the PwC Foundation, the McCormick Foundation, and several state-funded grants. Perkins Eastman is also leading improvements at CRCL’s additional campuses in Chicago’s North Lawndale and Albany Park neighborhoods.