Onward Neighborhood House was founded in 1868 as Mission Sunday School, a small religious organization run out of a storefront located at Hoyne and Grand Avenue.

Following the settlement movement tradition, Onward served as a church, school, refuge and community center for the large immigrant population and provided vital social services to alleviate poverty and squalid conditions.

As one volunteer wrote, "During these days of ''depression'' much of the time of the full-time workers is spent acting as ''middle-men'' between the relief station and the unemployed person, helping speed up delayed groceries, back rents, clothing and coal.

Onward continued to be an active part of the West Town community during this time period, expanding their campus with the purchase of an annex building in 1967.

[10] The program also offers tutoring from Glenbrook South and New Trier High School students once week to help support children who need more assistance.

In collaboration with Poverty Alleviation Chicago,[11] Onward provides students the opportunity to gain confidence and self-esteem through improv-based activities through its 8-week summer program.

Onward, in collaboration with Wright College, offers classes designed to assist participants in passing the General Education Development test, in both English and Spanish.

Onward House hosts both informational workshops and regularly scheduled classes to offer legal guidance related to immigration, and the citizenship process.