Mission

Elms University Center, a center for women in Chicago’s West Loop, helps women of all ages in their spiritual, professional, and cultural growth and inspires them toward effectual leadership in their varied environments. 

History

Since its beginning in 1960, Elms has offered seminars, classes, and individual mentoring to thousands of women. Elms has helped women grow in their capacity for service, professional success, and love of God and others, drawing on the spirituality of Opus Dei, a personal Prelature of the Catholic Church. Programs are open to women of all races and beliefs. 

The problem & the Elms solution

It has been noted that “these world crises are crises of saints.” As a global pandemic ravages community stability and exposes deepening rifts in civil society, the call seems more poignant than ever. Some fear for the future of religious freedom and others question the stability of the family as the cell of society and even how to define true womanhood. 

Today many people yearn to build communities where families thrive, business prospers, and people freely and joyfully practice their chosen faith. At the same time, daily life and cultural trends show how challenging it is to live out virtues, juggle professional and family demands, and foster peace and justice in one’s worlds. Young professionals and college women struggle to build strong friendships and find healthy communities. Women of all ages seek encouragement and space to live fully and joyfully their professional and family dreams. 

For sixty years, the Elms University Center (EUC) in Chicago has provided thousands of women with spiritual coaching, intellectual growth, and practical support to help them grow, be their best selves, and reach out to those around them. Thousands of women have participated EUC programs, enthusiastically taking part in formative activities and returning throughout the different seasons of their lives.

EUC offers seminars, classes, and individual mentoring and helps Chicagoland women grow as women--  in their capacity for service, professional success, and love of God and others. EUC programs draw on the spirituality of Opus Dei, a personal Prelature of the Catholic Church. Programs are open to women of all races and beliefs.