KLEO Community Family Life Center

What KLEO Community Family Life Center does

KLEO Community Family Life Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2007 by Pastor Torrey L. Barrett in Chicago, Illinois, in response to the killing of his sister Kleo Barrett by domestic violence. The organization delivers a vertically integrated suite of human services to underserved families and youth on Chicago's South Side, including emergency shelter, a food pantry, workforce development, youth employment programming, healthcare navigation, and arts education. Its service model is co-located across multiple physical sites and is delivered at no cost to participants, with revenue derived from a mix of government contracts (City of Chicago agencies including DFSS, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Park District, and Chicago Public Library; State of Illinois via Illinois Works), private donations, and corporate sponsors.

Operationally, KLEO runs a 24/7 emergency shelter and a community wellness hub serving survivors of domestic violence and families experiencing housing instability, alongside a food pantry addressing food insecurity. Its workforce development vertical operates pre-apprenticeship pipelines — including the TradeUp program in partnership with Illinois Works — that place participants into skilled trades and the emerging clean energy sector through the CEJA Workforce Hubs. Youth programming includes the Chicago Youth Works partnership (paid summer employment) and the 2026 SCAN Program (Student Career And Networking), a youth violence prevention initiative built around career exposure and mentorship.

The business model is grant-funded and contract-driven: government agencies serve as anchor customers, with philanthropic giving and an annual fundraising gala supplementing operating capital. KLEO has 200+ employees and contractor relationships across shelter operations, case management, workforce training, and program administration. Strategic direction in 2026 emphasizes clean energy workforce development and youth violence prevention as new verticals, signaling an expansion of the addressable population beyond traditional human services constituents.

Name

KLEO Community Family Life Center

Legal name

K.L.E.O. Community Family Life Center

Website

https://thekleocenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KLEO Community Family Life Center is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2007 that delivers emergency shelter, food pantry, workforce development, youth employment, and family support services to underserved South Side families at no cost, funded primarily by government contracts and philanthropy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (624110), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Safeguarding, Child Protection & Reporting Services (EDAJAIAD), Mental Health Counseling & Therapy Services (K–12) (EDAJALAG)

Keywords

• Emergency shelter services
• Workforce development programs
• Youth employment programs
• Community food pantry
• Social services nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: KLEO operates as a 501c3 organization receiving tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donations are solicited through the GiveButter platform and at events such as the annual gala.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Public funding through partnerships with city agencies (DFSS, Chicago Housing Authority) and state programs (Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship). Shelter operations and youth employment programs receive government support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

KLEO Community Family Life Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization operating on Chicago's South Side that provides emergency shelter, housing stability, workforce development, youth employment, food security, arts education, and community health navigation services. All programs are delivered free of charge to underserved individuals and families, including women, people of color, veterans, migrants, refugees, and justice-involved individuals.

Product overview

KLEO Community Family Life Center operates as a multi-service community organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs addressing economic stability, education access, healthcare, and housing. The core offerings include: KLEO's Love Pantry (food access), TradeUp pre-apprenticeship (workforce training), Chicago Youth Works (youth employment), Chicago Youth Service Corps (civic engagement), After School Matters (arts education), Chicago Community Health Corps (health navigation), Shelter Operations (housing), and the SCAN Program (youth violence prevention). These programs work together to serve the community through a comprehensive approach to poverty alleviation, youth development, and family stability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KLEO's Love Pantry Free community food pantry providing fresh groceries and essential food support for individuals and families in need, reducing food insecurity through dignified, welcoming access. Operated in partnership with The Greater Chicago Food Depository at 5500 S. Indiana Ave., Life Center Lower Auditorium.
• TradeUp (Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program) No-cost pre-apprenticeship program preparing participants for careers in construction, solar, and building trades through classroom instruction, hands-on training, and industry certifications. Operated in partnership with Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
• Chicago Youth Works City of Chicago's youth employment program connecting young people with paid summer work experiences, mentorship, career exploration, and long-term opportunity pathways. KLEO serves as a program partner connecting tens of thousands of Chicago youth annually with paid summer employment.
• Chicago Youth Service Corps Program empowering youth to serve their communities through leadership development, civic engagement, collaborative projects, and mentorship with city agencies including DFSS, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Park District, and Chicago Public Library.
• After School Matters Performing arts and creative expression program helping young people develop confidence, communication skills, and artistic discipline through music production, theater, spoken word, and creative collaboration. Delivered in partnership with After School Matters, Chicago Public Schools, and Community Arts Partners.
• Chicago Community Health Corps Civic wellness initiative connecting residents to essential health, wellness, and resource coordination services including healthcare navigation, community referrals, and crisis assistance for community members needing help accessing public benefits and social services.
• Shelter Operations Emergency shelter operations providing secure, welcoming environments with bilingual case managers, healthcare partners, trauma-informed care, housing navigation, and wraparound support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness across multiple shelter sites in Chicago.
• SCAN Program Youth stabilization program designed to resolve unmet needs of young people, increase their sense of safety, and strengthen their ability to mitigate future exposures to violence. Launched in 2026 as part of expanded youth violence prevention services.
• PowerForward: Solar Futures Initiative Green jobs and clean energy workforce initiative providing training and career pathways in the solar energy sector as part of KLEO's expanding workforce development portfolio.

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Flow FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource center for domestic violence awareness and prevention. Related to KLEO's founding story rooted in domestic violence awareness following the tragic loss of Kleo Barrett.
• DFSS (Chicago Department of Family and Support Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity agency partnership for Chicago Youth Service Corps program delivering civic leadership and community service opportunities for youth.
• Chicago Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting youth service corps programming and housing stability initiatives for Chicago residents.
• Chicago Park DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Chicago Youth Service Corps providing community service and civic engagement opportunities for youth.
• Chicago Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for youth service and civic engagement programs through Chicago Youth Service Corps.
• After School MatterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership delivering youth enrichment through performing arts and creative expression programs at KLEO.
• The Greater Chicago Food DepositorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary food supplier for KLEO's Love Pantry, providing fresh produce and pantry staples for free community food distribution.
• Fedele & AssociatesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for KLEO's Love Pantry food distribution program supporting the community food access initiative.
• Chicago Youth Works (City of Chicago)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKLEO serves as a program partner connecting tens of thousands of Chicago youth annually with paid summer employment, career exploration, and workforce development opportunities under Mayor Brandon Johnson's expanded youth employment initiative.
• Illinois Works (Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKLEO operates the TradeUp Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program providing free training for careers in construction, solar and building trades. Program designed to increase qualified apprentices particularly among women, people of color, and veterans.
• Chicago Public SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school district for After School Matters programming delivering performing arts education to youth.
• Community Arts PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts education partners supporting After School Matters performing arts and creative expression programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chicago Coalition for the Homeless: Chicago-based nonprofit delivering direct shelter, housing, and advocacy services to people experiencing homelessness. Directly comparable to KLEO's shelter operations and housing navigation programs.
• UCAN (Uhlich Children's Advantage Network): Chicago nonprofit serving youth and families through counseling, education, and workforce development programming. Comparable to KLEO on youth-centered programming, trauma-informed services, and Chicago community footprint.
• Safer Foundation: Chicago-based nonprofit providing reentry, workforce development, and supportive services to justice-involved individuals. Directly comparable to KLEO's workforce development and violence-prevention mission; COO Ephraim Eaddy's background includes leadership at Safer.
• Metropolitan Family Services: Chicago-area nonprofit delivering integrated family support services including housing, workforce, youth, and behavioral health. Comparable multi-service family support model with similar Chicago footprint and free, donation- and grant-funded service delivery.
• Thresholds: Chicago-based nonprofit providing mental health, housing, and substance use recovery services. Comparable to KLEO's clinical/case management model and trauma-informed approach, though with a more focused mental health orientation.
• Cara Collective: Chicago-based nonprofit providing workforce training, housing, and reentry support to individuals facing barriers to employment. Comparable to KLEO for its emphasis on workforce development combined with wraparound supportive services for justice-involved and underserved populations.

Others

• After School Matters: Chicago nonprofit delivering arts, sports, and STEM programming to teens. Functions as a core programmatic partner to KLEO for the After School Matters program rather than a direct peer.
• Greater Chicago Food Depository: Regional food bank that is a primary supplier to KLEO's Love Pantry. Not a direct competitor; included as the upstream ecosystem partner enabling KLEO's food distribution program.

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Urban League: Long-standing Chicago civil rights and workforce development nonprofit offering economic empowerment, education, and youth programs. Broader portfolio than KLEO but directly comparable on workforce training, youth services, and community-rooted program delivery on Chicago's South and West sides.
• Heartland Alliance: Major Chicago-based human services nonprofit providing housing, healthcare, legal aid, and refugee/immigrant services. Larger and broader scope than KLEO, but directly comparable on shelter operations, immigration advocacy, and trauma-informed care for vulnerable populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kleo_chicago

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KLEO Community Family Life Center