The Howard Area community Center (HACC) was established in 1967 in Chicago’s Roger’s Park neighborhood as an outreach initiative of St. Jerome 's Church. Its primary mission was to provide for the emergency needs of local residents by serving as a distribution center for food and clothing. It also served as a meeting center for neighborhood block clubs and as a welcoming center for immigrants who used the area as a port of entry to the United States.

In the following years the once volunteer-staffed storefront operation grew larger and provided more services, including case management, adult education, and a summer camp for youth. In the 1970's, the agency became an independent, community based not-for-profit corporation which successfully sought funding from individuals, corporations, foundations, United Way and governmental sources. During the 1980's, the agency expanded into its current headquarters on Paulina Street, doubled in staff and funding and opened both a dental clinic and an early childhood center on site.

In the 1990's, continued growth led to the opening of an Alternative High School, a Head Start Center, a teen parent initiative, after-school programs located in nearby public schools, and special programs designed to prevent domestic violence and assist persons with HIV/AIDS. Since the start of the 21st century HACC has further expanded with the addition of an Employment Resource Center. Also, the completion of a capital campaign resulted in the purchase and development of a new $5 million Family Center Campus that serves over 250 families with children birth to age five. A state-of-the-art Computer Clubhouse for youth opened in early 2006. HACC currently operates at seven locations in Rogers Park. HACC’s future plans anticipate a continuity of service to the community with a focus on helping people to help themselves.