In 2005, four young people volunteered with the Illinois
Department of Human Services, the Chicago Department of
Human Services, and P.A.D.S. Crisis Services, Inc. (the North Chicago, Illinois location) to provide emergency transportation, food, housing, social, and support services and resources to fifty-five families that were victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, and Rita. All families were successfully placed in permanent housing and social services throughout the United States by February, 2007.

Impressed by their work and with a strong desire to give back to the communities that influenced her life, Dinae Knox, a 14-year veteran of the foster care system, founded Pro Se Services on April 4, 2007 in the state of Illinois. Pro Se Services, NFP (Pro Se) is a community-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, operated and managed by youth and young professional volunteers with a mission to nourish the underserved and nurture abused/neglect children/youth, while strengthening and mobilizing communities throughout Illinois. The organization operates three programs: the Hunger & Health Rescue (HHR), Youth Enrichment Services (Y.E.S.), and News. HHR and Y.E.S. programs and services are discussed in greater detail under the "Programs and Services" section. News is a database that contains a variety of community resources, services, and information to benefit all ages. The News database link underserved persons with necessary resources in their communities. This book/database is available to our clients, the general public, and is used as a referral resource.

Our vision is of a state, Illinois, within the United States of America that has sustainable health and welfare services and resources for its citizens, has eliminated poverty and inequality from within its geographic boundaries, and provides for the fullest development of the children/youth it parent, which are commonly referred to as "foster kids".

We will do this by forming long-term partnerships, securing financial and resourceful support, activating unused or underused services and resources within targeted communities, by nourishing the underserved with healthy resources and services, nurturing the lives of abused/neglected children/youth, and through communications networks/various mediums of communications.

The organization is funded by foundation and corporate grants, contributions from the public, and its Board of Directors. At the end of 2007, the organization brought in revenues of about $28,000 and within one year, by year-end 2008, the organization grew by more than 600%, with revenues of over $181,000. The organization continues to experience financial growth and stability with more than $280,000 in revenues by year-end of 2010, and expansion into six communities.