The Eden Foundation

In the projects, it is often very difficult to find a safe place to play, or just interact with other children. Our goal is to provide a safe place that kids can feel is their own, off the streets and out of harm's way.

We provide playgrounds, gardens, and a unique nurturing environment where kids can be kids, rather than victims of unpleasant circumstances. This is to be a place that children can be proud of, a place where they feel they want to go to meet and bring their friends.

In the early 1850's the Seminary Corridor - in and around 3rd Street and Haight Village - was one of Rockford's most glorious places to live and raise children. Today, one can find one abandoned home after another boarded-up because of neglect, gang activity and apathy.

Eden is located on the site of the historical Woodruff estate. Few people know the story of Gilbert Woodruff and his many contributions to the founding of Rockford. Noteably, Woodruff was instrumental in bringing to Rockford the railroad, and founding Rockford Furniture Co., Rockford Insurance Co., and Rockford National Bank.

Woodruff was one of the most loved, benevolent and respected founders of this city. We are blessed to be able to give his estate back to the children of this city with the same passion with which he gave for so many years before us.