For more than a century, Maryville Academy in Des Plaines has relied on donations to run what has become Illinois’ largest residential center for abused, neglected and orphaned children.
Still, it came as a surprise to the social-services agency when a local construction firm called to offer a four-bedroom house. Actually, Elliott Homebuilders of Morton Grove offered to donate profits from a home it is building in a pricey Morton Grove development.
“This is just a tremendous gift and a tremendous shot in the arm,” said Rev. John Smyth, Maryville’s executive director for more than 30 years.
About 271 children live at Maryville’s Des Plaines campus. Last year, more than 18,000 youngsters got help from the agency’s social-services programs, which range from vocational training to drug treatment.
“You know all those kids you hear about on television who are left home alone or are neglected or abandoned? Maryville is where many of them end up,” said Smyth. And, he said, demands for the center’s services are increasing.
The donated house is being built in Delaine Farms, a subdivision near the intersection of Lehigh Avenue and Beckwith Road in Morton Grove. The planned 82 custom homes in the development are priced from $400,000 to $600,000. The home donated to Maryville is a 3,000-square foot model expected to fetch about $450,000. Maryville could receive about half that amount after the home is sold and construction costs are paid.
The proceeds from the sale will be used for Maryville’s Hanley Trades Center, a program on the Des Plaines campus specializing in vocational job training, said Mark Elliott, president of Elliott Homebuilders.
To keep construction costs low, the firm has been asking its suppliers and subcontractors to donate materials and labor.
“The response has been great,” Elliott said.
Maryville began in 1883 as an orphanage for children left homeless after the Great Chicago Fire. Since then, it has served as a transitional home for youths awaiting foster care or adoptive homes.
But for many, Maryville becomes a permanent home after an often complex trip through the child-welfare system.
“The average age of our children is 13 to 14,” said Smyth. “By the time they come to us, about 85 percent have been in the foster-care system, some at as many as 20 different homes.”
In addition to its base in Des Plaines, Maryville operates programs at about 20 satellite locations across Cook County. The programs include treating newborns exposed to drugs and assisting pregnant teens.
While all of Maryville’s residents must complete high school, the center’s vocational trades program was started seven years ago to provide training for those who do not pursue a secondary education.
Most of the kids come from families that have been on welfare, Smyth said.
“We believe that one of the ways to break the welfare cycle is through education and skilled-trades development,” Smyth said.
Elliott credits his father, Louis, the founder of the 40-year-old family-run business, for years based in Park Ridge, with introducing him to Maryville’s programs.
“My dad has been involved with doing things for them for a long time,” he said.
The house is expected to be completed in the spring.
Elliott said many subcontractors “have jumped at the chance to help with this, donating everything or just doing things at cost or, in some instances, free.”
“My excavator just dug the hole for nothing. Another business knocked $3,000 off the price of the concrete. Our plumber donated his supplies. The Village of Morton Grove waived its usual building permit fees.”
