Built in 1895 as a summer retreat home, the building became the first Village Hall for Hoffman Estates in the mid-1900. When the Village Hall moved to Gannon Street, the building then housed the Hoffman Estates Health and Human Service Department for over 30 years. When the Village Hall again expanded and moved to Hassell Road, Health and Human Services moved as well.

Over time, the building had fallen into disrepair and the costs of repair were estimated at over $125,000. As a result, the building was slated for demolition due to over 100 building code violations.

At the same time, the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) was looking and dreaming for a large, home-like environment to house its services for abused children and their families.

After meeting in October 1992 with Mayor Mike O'Malley of Hoffman estates, O'Malley was so moved by the mission of CAC that he called on his friends in the trade unions and asked for their assistance in renovating the old building. After a "walk through," the tradesmen recommended tearing the building down and constructing a new one. Because it was the original Village Hall, the Mayor suggested that the original frame remain, but that everything else inside be rehabilitated.

Rehabilitation, estimated to cost $125,000, was appraised at completion to be worth over $400,000. The entire project cost CAC less than $20,000, because over 30 different local unions, architects, engineers and local material suppliers supplied all of the work and materials. Recently judged for the Governor's Home Town Award, the rehabilitation of the building was the first time government, corporations and trades worked together on such a large-scale project in Illinois.

Virtually thousands of hours were donated to this building, many of them in the cold, unheated winter of 1991-92. The idea that so many abused children would come through these doors inspired the workers, many of who shared their own stories of abuse.

While there are many heroes and leaders responsible for bringing the dream into reality, it is to the children that come through the doors of CAC that this building is dedicated.