The Evangelical Lutheran Orphan Asylum is incorporated in the state of Illinois, marking the official beginning of UCAN as it's known today.

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German immigrants continue to flock to Chicago between 1880 and World War I. While the Uhlich orphanage continues, there is a rise in settlement houses like Jane Addams Hull House and Chicago Commons that served a broader range of European immigrants.

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The 1900 census lists a youth population of 85 children ranging from age 3-13. Of these 85, 43 or just over 50% were born in Germany or had one or more parent born in Germany. All children were identified as white.

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In response to the Uhlich building on North Burling becoming overpopulated and rundown, in 1918, St. Pauls members Mr. and Mrs. Carl Buehler donate 10 city blocks near 3700 North California Avenue to establish a facility for senior citizens and a new Uhlich Orphan’s Asylum.

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Siblings Edward and Minnie Abel visited Uhlich children's home and donate $1,000. Each provide important donations to Uhlich in life and death, including providing funds as needed and hosting parties for the children.

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Sickness and tragedy strikes the Uhlich home as many of the 66 youth are afflicted with Pneumonia, Scarlet Fever, Chickenpox, Mumps and Measles. In 1938, both Superintendent Henry King and Mrs. Martindale, the home's matron, die, leaving Uhlich without leadership until Board Trustee Otto Closius takes over.

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The cost of operating Uhlich for one year totals $83,680.64, or a per capita average monthly cost of $88.27 for each of the 79 children at the home. The following year the board approves its first official budget of $100,131 or approximately $97.03 per month per child.

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Walt Disney Co. creates a new emblem for Uhlich at the suggestion of Superintendent Rev. Lee Rockwell who said morale is boosted by other Disney emblems.

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The first African-American resident at Uhlich -- a 13-year-old boy from Evanston -- arrives in summer 1964.

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An amendment is made to the Social Security Act that made AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) Foster Care mandatory in all states.

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UCAN enters into a contract with DCFS to provide Relative/Traditional Foster Care.

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UCAN changes it's name from Uhlich Evangelical Lutheran Orphan Asylum to Uhlich Children's Home.

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UCAN holds it's first Youth Advocacy Awards dinner.

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UCAN’s new 7 acre campus in North Lawndale, the Nichols Center, opens its doors. The campus is complete with an administrative headquarters, a therapeutic youth home that features 70 bedrooms, a healing garden, a soccer field and an outdoor patio.

Open Decade