While the month of May had a lot to celebrate, there were also moments of great sorrow brought about by the recent mass shootings, which brought to light the devastating impacts of gun violence regularly experienced by the kids and families we serve. Read on to learn what we’ve been up to, what’s ahead, and how we’re striving to create a brighter and safer tomorrow for our kids.
Facing Tragedy
In light of yet another mass shooting last week, Cinaiya shared her thoughts as a parent and the President & CEO of Children’s Place Association.
ELC Education Supervisor, Monica Diaz, also created a resource list to support our parents and children as they navigate their emotions around this tragedy.
Mark Your Calendar
Check out these fun events we have coming up and join us!
Saturday, June 11th – Strides for Peace Race Against Violence
Wednesday, June 15th – Foster Care Orientation
Sunday, August 28th – Pickleball Tournament (details coming soon)
Around the World
Junior Board Gala
We had a great time at the Around the World Gala with the Junior Board last month. We were able to showcase some of the CPA kids drawing of where they would want to travel in the world. CLICK HERE to read more about the event and see pictures.
Child Thrive
Mission in Action Program
Our newest Child Thrive program, Mission In Action (M.I.A.) already has six local teens registered. M.I.A. is a program for West Humboldt Park youth, grades 9 through 12. The program engages teens in leadership opportunities to gain practical and social skills that will introduce them to diverse pathways to success. To get involved, email thrive@childrens-place.org.
International
Dominican Republic Visit
Our Children’s Place International team recently visited the Dominican Republic.
After two years of virtual collaboration, the Children’s Place International team finally had the opportunity to visit its newest frontline partner – Clínica de Familia La Romana in the Dominican Republic.
The team and a few supporters of the work had the opportunity to meet with clinic staff, tour the facilities, and visit teen patients living with HIV.
“We walked away from the experience deeply moved by the courage, strength, and resilience of the teens and their families, as well as the incredible clinic staff. Those living with HIV in the Dominican Republic face extreme stigma that often leads to depression, ostracization, denial of employment, and economic hardships,” shared John Sweeney, Executive Director of Children’s Place International.
Children’s Place International is currently supporting 600 medically fragile children and youth at the clinic with access to healthcare, nutrition, and other basic needs. But the clinic, which serves the second largest population of those living with HIV in the country and supports families from neighboring Haiti who work under abysmal conditions in the sugar cane fields, needs additional support to help its young patients regain their health and escape poverty.
The Children’s Place International team will undertake a new project with the clinic focused on teens living with HIV and other medical challenges. The project will provide increased mental health support and scholarships to attend university or technical school. These areas were surfaced by the clinic and families as urgent needs and will provide long-lasting impact.
Children’s Place is very fortunate to be able to support some of the most vulnerable members of our global community. The work taking place in Chicago and around the world is vital to ensuring that children can thrive wherever they live!
Child Thrive
Thrive Afterschool
Child Thrive had a successful first year of afterschool programming with 10 kids registered. The Thrive team is now gearing up for the 2022-2023 Thrive Afterschool drop-off program and is taking registrations. If you know any parents/families that would like more information, please have them reach out to us at thrive@childrens-place.org.
Foster Care and Adoption
A Successful Adoption
Our foster care & adoption team has been one of our busiest programs, and we had another successful adoption. A two-year-old girl, placed in a non-relative foster family shortly after birth, has been adopted by the family. Despite her special medical needs, she has thrived in their care and has developed a strong bond. Congrats to all involved!
Child Thrive
Summer Camps
Summer mini-camps start June 27th and run for 5 weeks, Monday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM. The min-camps will include basketball, swim lessons, art, and much more!
Lucy R. Sprague Summer Day Camp
Following the mini-camps is two weeks of all-day camp. Campers will experience arts & crafts, trauma-informed care enrichment programs (provided by our partner JPA), city-wide and regional field trips, and swim lessons provided by our partners McCormick YMCA in Humbodlt Park.
Early Learning
It’s Graduation Time!
On August 13, we will be having our KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION CEREMONY. The students, families, and teachers have all worked so hard and deserve this day of celebration!
CPA Supporters
We are grateful to all our supporters who allow us to continue to do the work we are so passionate about.
Major Company & Foundation Supporters
Alliant Insurance Services, Inc., Mesirow, Monticello Associates, Inc., Michalik Funeral Home, Benjamin J. Rosenthal Foundation, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Valmark Securities Global Gift Fund Committee
Major Individual Supporters
Ivan Adames, Shantal Alonso, George Andrianakos, William Baron, Morgan Beagle, Karen Bennett, Derek Breese, Marisa Breese, Martin Breese, Michaela Breit, Edward Brennan, Theodore Cappas, James Collier, David Cummings, William Dimas, Shane Donahue, Don Gardiner, Stephen Gongola, Jessica Gregory, Alexandra Harrington, Deepika Hebbalalu, Dan Hillegass, Howard Jacob, Grace Kelley, Nina Kelly, Harold Kessler, Andrew Kindelin, Binita Kwankin, Patrick Lustig, Maureen McCluskey, Kevin McNally, Arthur Minetz, Janet Myers, Brandon Nolde, Kyle Pass, Ana Pineda, Carrie Roberts, David Roden, Joshua Romaniuk, Maggie Ryan, Robert Ryan, Morgan Safford, Charles Saul, Erica Schoppe, Austin Schwartz, Breck Seitz, Tara Simpson, Justine Sirhan, David Solomon, Sue Sullivan, Vanessa Tanaka, Stephanie Vlamis
In-Kind Donations
Foster Care received a donation of 10 superhero boxes from Amanda Horst of Kymanox.
Our work happens because of people like you joining our efforts to make positive changes at the community level. Check out the ways to get involved and become part of the solutions.
Volunteer Opportunities
Join in and be part of the solution in helping Chicago’s most vulnerable kids. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available
Calling all Runners
Children’s Place Association is partnering with Strides for Peace for their annual Race Against Violence on Saturday, June 11th. If you are a runner or a walker, let us know if you are interested in being part of Team CPA for either a 5k, 2k, or a 2-mile walk and/or bringing your children along for a Tots for Peace sprint for the kids. CLICK HERE for more information and to register/donate.
Help Grow Our Mission
- Mentor youth via our Big Brothers Big Sisters program at Child Thrive
- Volunteers to teach/run classes for our summer minicamps
- Join our Junior Board
- Join our Gala Committee
- Teach a workshop at our Summer Mini Camps
- and so much more!
Contact Us Today to Volunteer
Whatever your skillset or time commitment, we have something that fits YOU! CLICK HERE to learn more and get started on your volunteer journey.
Other CPA Opportunities
CPA Employment
Our Foster Care Program is seeking a Licensing & Recruitment Coordinator. We have other openings, too. Read about all the existing opportunities to work at Children’s Place Association.
Foster Parents Needed
Foster parents are needed! If you would like to learn more about our foster care program, email fostercare@childrens-place.org to learn more.
Donations Needed
Foster Care & Adoption
- Car seats for staff to use to transport children to/from appointments when necessary.
- Gift cards for clients in need and/or in crisis. Email volunteer@childrens-place.org.
Invest in a Child’s Future
Your support helps us provide critical services to children and their families affected by serious health issues and extreme poverty. Whether it’s a one-time gift or a recurring monthly donation, $5 or $500, it has a direct impact on our children’s future.
Technology for Education & Employment
We all know how important education and job security are for a family’s health and stability. Many of our families are struggling now more than ever to pay for critical resources needed to access e-learning for our early education home-based kids, search job listings, attend virtual medical appointments, and even order food online for those who can’t afford transportation to get to the store or medical provider.
We are looking to raise $35,000 to:
- Buy tablets and laptops for our home-based early learning students and Mission in Action Program youth to support their career and college readiness curriculum and projects
- Provide educational software
- Help families pay for internet service and phone plans
- Buy additional computers for our teachers to support documentation, lesson planning, and assessments.
Please donate today to support our kids’ and families’ education, health, and economic stability.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb
As the African Proverb says, going together gets you further. We’d love to have you stay connected with us to know what’s going on at CPA and how you can be involved.
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